Katie Vu-Ng, MPH¹, Christine Arnesen, RN, MPH², Julie Williamson, MPH¹, Mary Ann Morgan, MPH³, Edith Cabuslay, MPH⁴, Patrick Moriarty⁵, and Nettie DeAugustine, BA⁶. (1) Partnership for the Public's Health, Public Health Institute, 505 14th St. #810, Oakland, CA 94612, (510) 451-8600, kvu-ng@partnershipph.org, (2) Consultant, 832 Indian Rock Ave., Berkeley, CA 94707, (3) Contra Costa County Public Health Department, 597 Center Ave., Ste. 115, Martinez, CA 94553, (4) San Mateo County Public Health Services, 225 37th Ave., San Mateo, CA 94403, (5) Shasta County Public Health Department, 2650 Breslauer Wy., Redding, CA 96001, (6) The City of Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services, 2525 Grand Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90815

Strategies to sustain community-based public health (CBPH) partnerships beyond short-term project funding are central to carrying out CBPH successfully. In California, 14 local health departments partnered with 2-3 community groups for four years to address health conditions that most influence their communities under the Partnership for the Public’s Health initiative. Surveys were conducted with the 14 local health departments consisting of questions covering issues including sustainability efforts of CBPH projects. Central issues in sustaining these partnership efforts include commitment of shared vision, strong leadership, infrastructure supports “CBPH-friendly” workforce, creative use of categorical funding, and investment in relationship building that enhances collaboration with community groups. A subsequent convening of over 40 staff from these 14 local health departments generated key recommendations and strategies for how health departments can continue to engage communities in CBPH work. A summary of the opportunities and challenges of sustaining this work will be discussed. Additionally, successful and creative strategies for sustainability efforts from 4 local health departments and their partners engaging in CBPH activities will be highlighted. The Partnership for the Public’s Health (PPH) is a six-year, California-based initiative designed to address the broad determinants of health by fostering partnerships between local health departments and community groups. Currently, 37 local partnerships have completed four years of collaborative program planning, implementation, and policy development in addressing community-based health improvement activities. PPH offers a unique opportunity to explore the diversity of strategies and roles that local health departments have employed to engage communities in health improvement efforts.

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