Tools, Resources and Strategies for Successful Public Health Partnerships

The mission of the March of Dimes is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality. March of Dimes delivers its mission through programs of research, community services, education and advocacy. Working with community partners and volunteers, the March of Dimes strives to develop and implement strategies that will ultimately improve the health of babies. Through the March of Dimes network of 51 chapters across the country and Puerto Rico, resources and tools are provided for program planning, evaluation and grants administration. The Planning & Community Services Division of the March of Dimes national office provides technical assistance to help staff and volunteers, including public health partners succeed in the area of collaborative MCH leadership approaches to mission success.

This session will highlight successful strategies for developing partnerships and networking opportunities with the MCH community. Program evaluation and grants management tools utilized by the March of Dimes include the “Continuum of Impact” model for public health interventions, a grants analysis toolkit and grantee workshops will also be covered. The March of Dimes' Electronic Program Information Center (EPIC) which allows chapters to develop strategic program plans and report on outcomes is also an essential tool and will be discussed. These tools and resources have been developed as part of an ongoing effort to move from collecting process-focused results to identifying evidence-based programs and reporting on outcomes.