Keys to Collaboration

1. Keys to Collaboration Julie Collins MSW, LCSW Region IV CWCI Meeting Charleston, SC February 19-21, 2007 FRIENDS National Resource Center for Community Based Child Abuse Prevention A Service of the Children’s Bureau

2. What we will cover: • Purpose of this presentation • Where you have come • Definition of Collaboration • What it takes • Assessing your collaboration • Preparation for break out groups • Feedback • Wrap up

3. Purpose: • Requirements for collaboration • Work already going on as a result of CWCI • Feedback that there is a need for more info about sustaining collaboration • Assess process of the collaboration as a way of identifying strengths and areas to focus further work to sustain it • Review of what has been found • Planning for moving the collaboration forward

4. Collaboration Continuum: • Networking • Exchanging information for mutual benefit • Cooperation • Exchanging information and altering activities for mutual benefit and common purpose • Coordination • Exchanging information, altering activities, and sharing resources for mutual benefit and a common purpose • Collaboration • Exchanging information, altering activities, and sharing resources, and enhancing each other’s capacity for mutual benefit and a common purpose Adapted from PCA presentation for FRIENDS

5. Collaboration Continuum Collaboration Continuum Collaborate Cooperate Coordinate Communicate Compete Co-exist

6. Definition of Collaboration: Collaboration is a mutually beneficial and well-defined relationship entered into by two or more organizations to achieve common goals. The relationship includes a commitment to mutual relationships and goals; a jointly developed structure and shared responsibility; mutual authority and accountability for success; and sharing of resources and rewards. Title II of CAPTA, reauthorized in June 2003

7. Definition of Collaboration It is a mutually beneficial relationship between two or more parties to achieve common goals. The relationship includes a commitment to mutual relationship goals; a jointly developed structure and shared responsibility; mutual authority and accountability for success; and sharing of resources and rewards. (Collaboration: What Makes it Work, 2nd ed. 2001, p.4)

8. Collaboration Basics The beginning of “togetherness” • Build and maintain trust so collaborative partners are able to share information, perceptions and feedback and work as a cohesive team. • Find common ground and commit to shared vision • Agree on core values to guide collaborative work • Enlist support and involvement of key partners including community members and service participants • Understand how each service system works and roles/responsibilities of your partners • Develop a common language

9. Collaboration Basics The beginning of “togetherness” • Respect the knowledge and experience each person brings • Honor all voices and address the issues they raise • Assume best intentions of all partners • Agree to recognize strengths, accept limitations and address needs • Agree to share decision making, risk taking and accountability • Establish method and entity to formalize ongoing collaboration

10. Collaboration Basics The business of “togetherness” Developing the work plan • Leadership – selecting a valued champion – convener, catalyst, facilitator and shepherd • Roles and Responsibilities – Delineating and Codifying through Memoranda of Agreements or Understanding (MOA/MOU) and Protocols • Policy changes – legislative, regulatory, procedural • Resources needs - $, staff, training, admin costs, etc.

11. Collaboration Basics The business of “togetherness” Developing the work plan (cont.) • Model development and strategies for implementation • Action steps, timelines and measurable goals • Decision making, problem solving and conflict resolution • Information sharing and confidentiality

12. Collaboration Basics The business of “togetherness” Developing the work plan (cont.) • Track, document and evaluate results • Make mid-course corrections as warranted • Nurture commitment and ability of all to carry out the work • Build capacity while implementing (if possible) • Celebrate each and every success

13. Collaboration Basics The challenges of “togetherness” • Reforms are inherently very difficult • Takes time – • to develop relationships and trust • to design, implement, refine and “stick” • Turf issues are continuously revisited • Results determine viability • Sustainability is contingent on $ and leadership • Change in political “winds” is always disruptive

14. Lessons Learned for What Works • Relationships and trust are key to making it work • This is what gets you through the rough spots and the tough conversations • Facilitator or neutral person can help with this • Leadership • At all levels • Shared vision • To get at interpersonal and turf issues

15. Lessons Learned for What Works • Be result focused • Make sure it is win-win for everyone • Role of family • Help maintain the focus and will become strong advocates for what is created • Training • Needs to be ongoing • Funding • Not just about the money • Many partners have resources that could be helpful as well as many great ideas and energy

16. Handout Cooperation, Coordination, Collaboration

17. ENVIRONMENT • A. History of collaboration or cooperation in the community • B. Collaborative group seen as a legitimate leader in the community • C. Favorable political and social climate.

18. MEMBERSHIP CHARACTERISTICS • A. Mutual respect, understanding and trust • B. Appropriate cross section of members • C. Members see collaboration as in their self-interest • D. Ability to compromise

19. PROCESS AND STRUCTURE • A. Members share a stake in both process and outcome • B. Multiple layers of participation • C. Flexibility • D. Development of clear roles and policy guidelines • E. Adaptability • F. Appropriate pace of development

20. COMMUNICATION • A. Open and frequent communication • B. Established informal relationships and communication links

21. PURPOSE • A. Concrete, attainable goals and objectives • B. Shared vision • C. Unique purpose

22. RESOURCES • A. Sufficient funds, staff, materials and time. • B. Skilled leadership

23. Instructions • Read each item • Circle the number that indicates how much you agree or disagree with each item • Do not skip any items (if you do not know, select 3) • Do not pick between numbers, pick the lower of the two if you cannot decide. • Complete individually, then compile your state’s scores for each factor.

24. Scoring your group • Add together all the ratings for the items related to each factor • Divide by the total number of ratings for those items. • This will yield an average score for each factor. • You should end up with 20 numbers ranging on a scale from 1 to 5.

25. Interpreting your scores • Scores of 4.0 or higher show a strength and don’t need special attention • Scores from 3.0 to 3.9 are borderline and should be discussed by the group to see if they deserve attention • Scores of 2.9 or lower reveal a concern and should be addressed.

26. Contact Information: • Julie Collins, FRIENDS NRC for CBCAP, 703-412-2411, jcollins@cwla.org • Alicia Luckie, FRIENDS T/TA Coordinator, 334-567-3291, APLUCKIE@elmore.rr.com • Theresa Costello, Director NRCCPS, 505-345, 2444, tcostello@earthlink.net • www.friendsnrc.org • www.nrccps.org