Promoting collaboration across boundaries: New Jersey's Governmental Public Health Partnerships

Local government has the primary responsibility for local public health in New Jersey, in accordance with the prevailing philosophy of “home rule”. This has resulted in a complex structure of 114 local health departments (LHDs), including municipal, regional and county agencies, covering the State's 566 municipalities. To promote collaboration among LHDs in addressing public health issues that cut across geographic, organizational and political borders, the NJ Department of Health and Senior Services facilitated the creation of 13 regional Governmental Public Health Partnerships (GPHP). Each GPHP consists of the Health Officers representing each participating LHD. State regulations (Practice Standards) also require that the GPHPs facilitate the development of community public health partnerships for the purpose of undertaking regional planning. Using the Mobilizing for Action through Planning and Partnerships (MAPP) methodology, regional planning efforts have resulted in a Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) for every county in New Jersey. New Jersey's innovative approach holds the promise for a best practice, and lessons learned along the way will be useful signposts to others. This work has also better positioned New Jersey's local health departments for future accreditation.