The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

3095.0: Monday, November 11, 2002 - 10:30 AM

Abstract #45909

Accountability to the community: Cornerstone of effective partnerships

Frances S. Margolin, MA, Health Research and Educational Trust, One North Franklin, 30th floor, Chicago, IL 60606, 312-422-2607, fmargolin@aha.org

The Community Care Network Demonstration is a group of 25 cross-sectoral partnerships around the country that subscribe to a common vision. Their shared vision of a locally responsive, redesigned health care delivery system has the ultimate goal of improved health of the entire community. One pillar of that vision is mutual accountability between the institutions and the community's residents-a shared trust among the providers of services and the recipients. Without this trust, it is difficult to move beyond a series of separate activities to significant systems change and health improvement. Eventually, it is hoped that the community and its institutions will work together to achieve their goals and take mutual responsibility for whatever improvements are targeted. This presentation will begin with some basic principles of community accountability. It will include examples from the 25 communities of the two directions in which accountability must flow: feedback to the community on what the partnership is doing and its accomplishments, and information from the community on what needs to be done. In addition, the presentation will discuss and illustrate how that information can be acted upon. The presentation will include how governance, activity choices, feedback and communications vehicles, and other aspects of partnership management and leadership should all be part of the accountability system. Another benefit to a partnership of providing feedback to the community is that it increases community support for the partnership's efforts, in financial, political, and instrumental ways. This support is crucial to the sustainability of these voluntary partnerships.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant will be able to

Keywords: Community-Based Partnership, Accountability

Related Web page: www.communitycare.org

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.

Partnerships Respond to the Community Voice: Lessons from the Community Care Network Demonstration

The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA