In 1999, the Maine Consortium for Comprehensive Cancer Control was established to develop and implement a statewide cancer prevention, control and care plan. Stakeholders from throughout the state were invited to join the Consortium and included representatives from hospitals, professional organizations, academia, voluntary agencies, government, local communities, survivors, hospice and home health care agencies, rehabilitation services and others. Currently, the Consortium consists of one hundred forty individuals representing fifty organizations and communities.
Using an assessment of interest as well as an organizational commitment form, Consortium members were asked on multiple occasions to commit their support (staff, money, etc) to the implementation of the Plan. These steps helped to institutionalize the Plan within partner organizations by assuring that the implementation was incorporated into the work of all members. In addition, the Consortium will initiate activities to meet its goals and objectives.
This model of planning has widespread implications for other planning processes. First, organizations that have not traditionally collaborated united to develop the comprehensive cancer control plan. Second, deliberate steps, such as allocation of staff time and public commitment for specific support of goals and objectives, were taken to assure that this initiative was integrated into partners’ work. Rather than serving only in an advisory capacity, members were actively involved in the development of the plan and have committed themselves to participation in the implementation.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to: 1. Identify methods to institutionalize collaboration. 2. Describe Maine's planning and implementation process for comprehensive cancer control. 3. Discuss the benefits and challenges of comprehensive cancer control planning and implementation. 4. Analyze their organizational environment for development of a comprehensive cancer control program.
Keywords: Cancer, Collaboration
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Maine Consortium for Comprehensive Cancer Control
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.