Program integration models from basic coordination to comprehensive collaboration

Context: More and more, state health departments and other public health sector public health agencies are faced with increased financial pressures, staffing reductions, changing funder expectations, and frustration with competing partner requests. Many are exploring program integration as a way to maximize impact per effort and expenditure. Program integration expects to improve overall effectiveness without jeopardizing the impact of individual programs. Discussion: Using a published chronic disease program integration logic model as a framework, this presentation will explore elements such as partnership, interventions, and data. Challenges and strategies collected from state heath department experiences highlight opportunities for tailoring effort in specific jurisdictions. Strategies may be as straightforward as periodic information sharing and as complex as matrix management for comprehensive planning and implementation. It is imperative that constituent and funder expectations are married to public health need while ensuring categorical program integrity is not compromised and emerging issues are addressed. Conclusion: Program integration is a process that can enable improved effectiveness and efficiency in state health departments and can be done without diluting the impact and focus of categorical programs.