Building multi-sectoral collaboration in communities to influence change in organizational practices, local policies and governance

The physical and social environments where people live, work, and play shape their health. Improving community environments requires an integrated approach without sectoral borders that engages community residents and public agencies in working together to identify priorities and strategies to enhance livability. Such collaboration creates positive change in organizational practices and local policies that determine environments and norms.

Prevention Institute, together with Alameda County Supervisor Nate Miley's office, engaged in an 18-month livability initiative in 2007-2008 to build partnerships among community members in six urban neighborhoods, county agencies and other public-sector jurisdictions, to develop community infrastructure. The process was guided by a set of livability principles (developed by community members in conjunction with Prevention Institute's THRIVE tool). An extensive review of county plans and interviews with key county staff provided a thorough assessment of existing community conditions. Joint leadership committee meetings and topic-driven task forces built upon assessment findings by identifying and prioritizing strategies, projects and indicators of success. A set of catalyst projects emerged that represented community priorities to improve the health and livability of the area. Community members and county staff are in the process of working together to develop implementation plans for the priority projects.

This session will present participants with strategies for building multi-sectoral collaboration that encourages community change targeting the underlying factors affecting health and livability. Participants will be introduced to techniques for incorporating the thinking and work of community residents and county agencies, the identification of priorities, the community vision, and catalyst projects.