FRIENDS National Resource Center for Community Based Child Abuse Prevention

A Service of the Children’s Bureau

Keys to Collaboration

Julie Collins MSW, LCSW

Region IV CWCI Meeting Charleston, SC

February 19-21, 2007

What we will cover:• Purpose of this presentation • Where you have come • Definition of Collaboration • What it takes• Assessing your collaboration• Preparation for break out groups • Feedback • Wrap up

Purpose: • Requirements for collaboration • Work already going on as a result of

CWCI• Feedback that there is a need for more

info about sustaining collaboration • Assess process of the collaboration as

a way of identifying strengths and areas to focus further work to sustain it

• Review of what has been found • Planning for moving the collaboration

forward

Collaboration Continuum:• Networking

– Exchanging information for mutual benefit• Cooperation

– Exchanging information and altering activities for mutual benefit and common purpose

• Coordination– Exchanging information, altering activities,

and sharing resources for mutual benefit and a common purpose

• Collaboration– Exchanging information, altering activities,

and sharing resources, and enhancing each other’s capacity for mutual benefit and a common purpose

Adapted from PCA presentation for FRIENDS

Collaboration Continuum

Co-exist

Compete

Communicate

Coordinate

Cooperate

Collaborate

Collaboration Continuum

Definition of Collaboration: Collaboration is a mutually beneficial

and well-defined relationship entered into by two or more organizations to achieve common goals. The relationship includes a commitment to mutual relationships and goals; a jointly developed structure and shared responsibility; mutual authority and accountability for success; and sharing of resources and rewards.

Title II of CAPTA, reauthorized in June 2003

Definition of Collaboration

It is a mutually beneficial relationship between two or more parties to achieve common goals.

The relationship includes a commitment to mutual relationship goals; a jointly developed structure and shared responsibility; mutual authority and accountability for success; and sharing of resources and rewards.

(Collaboration: What Makes it Work, 2nd ed. 2001, p.4)

Collaboration Basics The beginning of “togetherness” • Build and maintain trust so collaborative partners

are able to share information, perceptions and feedback and work as a cohesive team.

• Find common ground and commit to shared vision

• Agree on core values to guide collaborative work• Enlist support and involvement of key partners

including community members and service participants

• Understand how each service system works and roles/responsibilities of your partners

• Develop a common language

Collaboration Basics The beginning of “togetherness” • Respect the knowledge and experience

each person brings• Honor all voices and address the issues

they raise • Assume best intentions of all partners • Agree to recognize strengths, accept

limitations and address needs• Agree to share decision making, risk

taking and accountability• Establish method and entity to

formalize ongoing collaboration

Collaboration Basics The business of “togetherness” Developing the work plan• Leadership – selecting a valued

champion – convener, catalyst, facilitator and shepherd

• Roles and Responsibilities – Delineating and Codifying through Memoranda of Agreements or Understanding (MOA/MOU) and Protocols

• Policy changes – legislative, regulatory, procedural

• Resources needs - $, staff, training, admin costs, etc.

Collaboration Basics The business of “togetherness” Developing the work plan (cont.)• Model development and strategies for

implementation• Action steps, timelines and measurable

goals• Decision making, problem solving and

conflict resolution• Information sharing and confidentiality

Collaboration Basics The business of “togetherness” Developing the work plan (cont.)• Track, document and evaluate results• Make mid-course corrections as

warranted• Nurture commitment and ability of all

to carry out the work• Build capacity while implementing (if

possible)• Celebrate each and every success

Collaboration Basics The challenges of “togetherness” • Reforms are inherently very difficult• Takes time –

– to develop relationships and trust – to design, implement, refine and “stick”

• Turf issues are continuously revisited• Results determine viability• Sustainability is contingent on $ and

leadership• Change in political “winds” is always

disruptive

Lessons Learned for What Works

• Relationships and trust are key to making it work– This is what gets you through the rough

spots and the tough conversations – Facilitator or neutral person can help with

this

• Leadership– At all levels

• Shared vision– To get at interpersonal and turf issues

Lessons Learned for What Works

• Be result focused– Make sure it is win-win for everyone

• Role of family– Help maintain the focus and will become

strong advocates for what is created • Training

– Needs to be ongoing• Funding

– Not just about the money– Many partners have resources that could be

helpful as well as many great ideas and energy

Handout

Cooperation, Coordination, Collaboration

ENVIRONMENT

• A. History of collaboration or cooperation in the

community• B. Collaborative group seen as a

legitimate leader in the community

• C. Favorable political and social climate.

MEMBERSHIP CHARACTERISTICS

• A. Mutual respect, understanding and trust

• B. Appropriate cross section of members

• C. Members see collaboration as in their self-interest

• D. Ability to compromise

PROCESS AND STRUCTURE

• A. Members share a stake in both process and outcome

• B. Multiple layers of participation• C. Flexibility• D. Development of clear roles and policy

guidelines• E. Adaptability• F. Appropriate pace of development

COMMUNICATION

• A. Open and frequent communication

• B. Established informal relationships and communication links

PURPOSE

• A. Concrete, attainable goals and objectives

• B. Shared vision• C. Unique purpose

RESOURCES

• A. Sufficient funds, staff, materials and time.

• B. Skilled leadership

Instructions

• Read each item• Circle the number that indicates how much you

agree or disagree with each item• Do not skip any items (if you do not know, select 3)• Do not pick between numbers, pick the lower of

the two if you cannot decide.• Complete individually, then compile your state’s

scores for each factor.

Scoring your group

• Add together all the ratings for the items related to each factor

• Divide by the total number of ratings for those items.

• This will yield an average score for each factor. • You should end up with 20 numbers ranging on

a scale from 1 to 5.

Interpreting your scores

• Scores of 4.0 or higher show a strength and don’t need special attention

• Scores from 3.0 to 3.9 are borderline and should be discussed by the group to see if they deserve attention

• Scores of 2.9 or lower reveal a concern and should be addressed.

•Julie Collins, FRIENDS NRC for CBCAP, 703-412-2411, jcollins@cwla.org

•Alicia Luckie, FRIENDS T/TA Coordinator, 334-567-3291, APLUCKIE@elmore.rr.com

•Theresa Costello, Director NRCCPS, 505-345, 2444, tcostello@earthlink.net

• www.friendsnrc.org•www.nrccps.org

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