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Community collaborations, formed on behalf of children, youth and families are not a new
concept. However, with many changing societal issues, more emphasis is being placed on their
success. There appears to be several reasons for this emphasis, three of which are: (1) The
community’s awareness of the need to find solutions to the interrelated, complex problems facing
youth and families; (2) the economic and human loss to society; and (3) the shrinking amount of
governmental resources (Dhuly 1990, Keith 1991).
Successful; community collaborations seem to have some similar characteristics (Keith et,al.,
1993), and learning about these key concepts may help provide an understanding of the factors
related to a successful collaboration. These factors were derived from a review of the research
that has been done on community collaboration formed on behalf of children, youth, and families
and feedback from practitioners working with them Collaborations (CCIA, 1993).
DEFINITION OF CHARACTERISTICS
Goals
Collaborations need goals in order to be effective. Clear, elevating goals provide the member
with a sense of worthiness, opportunity, challenge, consequence, identification and appeal. These
goals are related to the needs and are achievable, thus, appealing to that sense of purpose in which
humans operate. Goals allow members to buy into what the collaboration is doing. There is an
interdependency among members because they rely on one another for the achievement of the
group’s goals. Goals are most effective when written down and agreed upon.
Communication
Collaborative efforts are dependent upon open and clear communication. A formal process for
communication between meetings must be established, as well as communication from the
collaboration to the broader community. Establishing and maintaining non-formal communication
channels with local community leaders will also be essential. Marketing of the collaboration
efforts must be conducted in order to obtain community support and acquire needed resources.
Sustainability
In order for collaborative efforts to be sustainable, it is essential that systems be instituted to
provide sustained membership, resources, and strategic program planning. Resource development
efforts must be ongoing to assure that the appropriate level of revenue, time, and people are
available to conduct the group’s programming efforts. Planning must be both short-term and
long-term. The collaboration must be able to identify emerging trends and issues and develop
strategies for needed expansion.
Research and Evaluation
Obtaining and utilizing information is essential for collaborative groups. Data must be collected
which established benchmarks for future impact and outcome analysis. Evaluation efforts are
essential to monitor progress related to the group’s goals and objectives and to make
modifications where necessary. Strategies for communicating program impacts must be
established.
Political Climate
Political Climate is the history and environment surrounding power and decision making. Political
Climate may be within the community as a whole, systems within the community or networks of
people. A healthy collaboration insures that Political Climates affecting or potentially affecting
the collaboration have been identified and utilized in the positive development of the
collaboration. A wide cross section of people, groups and organizations within the identified
Political Climate will better insure as a mutually inclusive membership within the collaboration. It
is important that a collaboration has members who know which decision makers need to be
influenced and how to influence those decision makers.
Resources
Within a collaboration, resources refer to four types of capital: environmental, in-kind, financial,
and human. An environment where there is connectedness at all levels, as a history of working
together, as a supportive Political Climate, and Policies, Laws and Regulations that encourage
cooperativeness, increases the probability of a successful collaboration. The contribution of
human capital to a collaboration is a crucial investment for Sustainability.
Catalysts
Catalysts get the collaboration started. The existing problem(s) or the reason(s) for the
collaboration to exist must be viewed by the community and potential collaboration members as a
situation that requires a comprehensive response. In addition to a community-wide issue, the
second type of catalyst needed is a convener. This is a person who calls the initial meeting of a
collaboration and draws everyone into a dialog about possible solutions to the situation.
Conveners must have organizational and interpersonal skills, and must carry out the role with
passion and fairness.
Policies/Laws/Regulations
Solving problems collaboratively means transforming and changing Policies, Laws and
Regulations. Collaborations are more likely to succeed when supportive Policies, Laws and
Regulations are in place. Sustainability of collaborations is often dependent on polices and
practices in place.
History
History has to do with a community’s past with regard to working cooperatively or competitively.
Collaboration is more likely to succeed in communities that have a history of working together
cooperatively (Mattessich & Monsey, 1992). In communities where a history of cooperation
exists, the collaboration members trust each other and the collaboration process. Collaborations
succeed in an environment that is oriented toward cooperation and away from competition.
Connectedness
Connectedness refers to the linkages between individuals, groups, and organizations. It is how
people know each other or how they are connected to one another. There are multiple types of
connections that are not mutually exclusive. Collaborations that employ both the formal and
informal networks of communication to support them are more likely to succeed. Collaborations
that are effective involve well connected individuals, groups, organizations and communities and
have established informal and formal communication networks at all levels of Connectedness.
Leadership
Community collaboration requires effective leadership. While leadership is often defined as who
is in power, the definition of leadership for successful collaborations is broadened to include those
who impact change within their community, group and/or organization. Norms of operations
must be established which include protocol, conflict resolution, political and cultural sensitivity,
structure, and roles and responsibilities. Leadership should facilitate and support team building
and capitalize upon diversity and individual, group and organizational strengths.
Community Development
Community development is the process of mobilizing communities to address important issues
and build upon the strengths of the community. The collaboration begins the process of defining
its vision, mission, values, principles and outcomes within the context of the attitudes, norms,
beliefs and values of the larger community. A sense of trust is critical to successful community
development strategies.
Understanding Community
Understanding the community, including its people, cultures, values and habits, provides the
foundation for effective collaboration. It allows the practitioner to gain a sense of the vision the
community has for itself and the underlying values of the citizenry. The practitioner will
recognize the diversity of strengths and weaknesses that influence the success of the
collaboration. A clear view of the overall strengths can be made and so as to not focus on the
weaknesses. |
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