Barbara A. Board, Ph.D. Clyde F. Jackson, M.A.

1. An Examination of the Nature and Experience of Community CollaborationPresented at the 2007 CYFAR Conference Barbara A. Board, Ph.D. Clyde F. Jackson, M.A. Northeast District Director Project Director, CYFAR Virginia Cooperative Extension Virginia Cooperative Extension 2810 North Parham Road 12011 Government Center Parkway Suite 300 Suite 1050 Richmond, VA 23294-4422 Fairfax, Virginia 22035-1111 (804)-527-4246; board@vt.edu (703)-324-5369; cfjack@vt.edu

2. Today’s Discussion • Collaboration…Brief Overview • Virginia Cooperative Extension Experience with Collaboration via CYFAR Projects • Our Exploration of How the Community Became Involved with Programming for Our Projects • What We Found • Insights We Gained Virginia Cooperative Extension-Study of Collaboration

3. Children Youth & Families at Risk (CYFAR)…….A Collaborative Initiative CYFAR: Effective Programs • Promote partnerships, involve people in the id of their problems, planning actions, implementing solution. • Work of agencies, organizations, citizens • Should be collaboratively placed, & substantial at end of five years Virginia Cooperative Extension-Study of Collaboration

4. Collaboration Literature Discussion • Growing body of literature on collaboration-difficulty exist in interpreting, relating, applying info • Potential suitors of collaboration have difficulty developing from the literature a mental image needed to give life to collaborative behavior • Reasons: People lack of knowledge & skills, literature primarily advocacy and case studies, terms used interchangeably; (Chrislip & Larson, 1994; Gray, 1989, 1995; Marshall, 1995; Singer, 1998, Wehlage,1995, Vaughn, 1994) Virginia Cooperative Extension-Study of Collaboration

5. Collaboration Defined • Definition: Multiple definitions- • commonality-working together- • Vaughn’s (1994) definition of collaboration based on review of literature • …organizations, agencies, individuals, jointly id problem, share resources, and the responsibilities of implementing a solution. Virginia Cooperative Extension-Study of Collaboration

6. Collaboration…Direction Needed • Literature discussion called for understanding (Huxham, 1996; Taylor-Powell, Rossing, Geran, 1998; Perkins, Ferrari, Covey, Keith, 1994; Wisconsin Coop. Ext 1998) • ..it is essential that we understand as much as we can about its nature and develop processes to help it work successfully (Huxham, 1996) • If we attribute outputs to collaboration we must understand inputs -- (Taylor-Powell, Rossing, Geran, 1998) Virginia Cooperative Extension-Study of Collaboration

7. Virginia Cooperative Extension Program Process Virginia Cooperative Extension-Study of Collaboration

8. Virginia Situation When Grant Awarded • Virginia Cooperative Extension needed: • To work more effectively w/complex problems. • Improve its mode for involving the community--Advisory council approach was inadequate • Extension Leadership Council (ELC) model for community involvement in programming was conceived: Model called for community involvement throughout the programming process • To learn more about the collaborative ability of the VCE ELC model & address the collaborative requirements of the grant-CYFAR was placed in the hands of ELCs in 4 localities • Arlington • Alexandria • Fairfax • Brunswick Virginia Cooperative Extension-Study of Collaboration

9. VA CYFAR Project • 4-H Communities Collaborating for Youth • School was a strong partner with all project sites • Students at all sites had scored low on Standards of Learning tests Virginia Cooperative Extension-Study of Collaboration

10. VA CYFAR Project • All projects were initiated and managed by the local Extension Leadership Councils • Extension Leadership Councils were involved in conducting community assessment Virginia Cooperative Extension-Study of Collaboration

11. Arlington CYFAR Project • Very affluent community • Experiencing influx of immigrants • Youth not ready for school • Focus – support pre-school youth with acquisition of basic skills • Members had different motives Virginia Cooperative Extension-Study of Collaboration

12. Fairfax CYFAR Project • Large Hispanic community • Excellent participation from school and faith community • Limited ELC Connection with project • Competing county entity who had similar focus Virginia Cooperative Extension-Study of Collaboration

13. Alexandria CYFAR Project • Strong collaboration with Parks and Recreation Department • Five miles north of Washington, D.C. • Bedroom community • Critical youth issues related to gangs, illiteracy, and lack of after school programs Virginia Cooperative Extension-Study of Collaboration

14. Brunswick CYFAR Project • Very rural and impoverished community • Limited opportunities for youth to work afterschool or pursue careers • Mini grants awarded to community groups to build community and self pride Virginia Cooperative Extension-Study of Collaboration

15. We learn about a way of life by asking the people who have lived it what they thought (Yow, 1994) • At the End-5 Years….We Explored Community Involvement • Face to Face Interviews w/ 17 Program Partners: • Cooperative Extension--Agents • School System Administrators • Parks and Recreation Staff • Business Owners • Extension Leadership Council Members—Diverse Membership Virginia Cooperative Extension-Study of Collaboration

16. General Research Questions Explored • What has the nature and experience of collaboration been like for Ext. Ldrshp, Councils (ELCs) involved w/CYFAR projects? • What has contributed to the successful implementation of the CYFAR projects? • What has been challenges to implementing the CYFAR Projects? Virginia Cooperative Extension-Study of Collaboration

17. Data Gathering • Ten question interview guide & appropriate/necessary probes were used in face to face interviews. • Interviews tape recorded & transcribed • Field notes were also captured at the end of interviews and utilized with analysis Virginia Cooperative Extension-Study of Collaboration

18. Findings….Research Question #1What is the nature and experience of collaboration for ELCs involved with the CYFAR projects? • Primarily involved w/Situation Analysis • Partnered w/Extension staff to establish program direction • Initiated the development of project sub-committees • Monitored implementation progress • Assisted w/resource procurement • Involvement facilitated by Extension staff • Involvement hindered due to lack of time to commit Virginia Cooperative Extension-Study of Collaboration

19. ….Findings….Interview QuestionHow did you see members of the community and/or ELC involved with programming effort? • Non ELC/Community Members: • Primarily persons providing resources/expertise for implementation • Involved with implementation tasks, decisions • Generally did not know what an ELC was Virginia Cooperative Extension-Study of Collaboration

20. Findings…Probe...Interview QuestionHow did you see members of the community and/or ELC involved with programming effort? • What contributed to fulfillment of role? • Extension Agents made conscious efforts to facilitate involvement • Paid staff-facilitators, coaches • Personalities of Ext or paid staff—enthusiastic, dedicated, encouraging, helped others see importance of their involvement, understood programming and how to help others collaborate • Credibility of Coop Extension in the community • What hindered fulfillment of role? • Volunteer ELC members indicated they did not have time or inclination to commit to what was needed throughout programming • Multiple agendas • Not taking time to develop consensus • Tensions and conflicts Virginia Cooperative Extension-Study of Collaboration

21. Findings….Interview QuestionHow were Extension Staff involved in the programming efforts? • Central to the process • Catalyst in making things happen-Primary conveners, facilitators, mobilizers, nurturers & leaders of collaboration, • Assumed Key roles w/meeting planning, providing info, inspiring and building shared visions • Grant Administrators • Subject matter experts/educators • Securers of Resources—Human & Monetary • Recruiters and orient-ers of partners/volunteers • Hirers, trainers, supervisors of paid staff • Evaluators and Reporters of Outcomes Virginia Cooperative Extension-Study of Collaboration

22. Findings….Research Question #2What has contributed to successful collaboration in Extension education for at risk populations • Having a process for involvement • Addressing needs • Leadership of Key persons • Extension staff facilitating involvement • Commitment of those involved • Establishing an understanding of collaborative partners and how to collaborate • Having paid staff Virginia Cooperative Extension-Study of Collaboration

23. Findings….Interview QuestionWhat do you think went well with this effort? • Involved partners became acquainted w/one another-new relationships established • Extension credibility elevated • New skills and knowledge developed-leadership, how to collaborate & problem solve • True needs were met—encouraged commitment • Probe:What Contributed? • Personality of Key persons • Commitment of those involved-wanted to see success-always seeking solutions-learned from the process • Having resources to operate-paid staff Virginia Cooperative Extension-Study of Collaboration

24. Findings….Research Question #3What have been challenges to collaboration for the CYFAR projects? • Lack of time to commit • Lack of understanding of what it takes to collaborate • Established ways of thinking and acting Virginia Cooperative Extension-Study of Collaboration

25. Findings….Interview QuestionWho would you say provided key leadership to the collaborative effort? • Cooperative Extension • Public Schools • Parks and Recreation • Depending on task at hand—Leadership shared-shifted Virginia Cooperative Extension-Study of Collaboration

26. Interview Probe • Probe:What did Key leaders do? • Invested time in effort • Provided needed resources • Empowered others-inspired visions, nurtured ownership, helped others see importance of their involvement, involved others in decision making, leadership, tasks, recognized others involvement Virginia Cooperative Extension-Study of Collaboration

27. Insights Gained • Collaborative tasks: • Not always equal—needed tasks and responsibilities are not all equal • Defined by tasks at hand, resources needed • Shift over time. • Extension Leadership Councils: • Involved greatest w/understanding situations • Facilitate avenues for others to become involved • Help secure resources, legitimize programming, serve as advocates, influence others Virginia Cooperative Extension-Study of Collaboration

28. ……Insights Gained • Extension staff are essential leaders and facilitators of collaborative involvement • The Extension Programming Process provides a framework for collaborative involvement • Extension staff must understand and be proficient in programming applications Virginia Cooperative Extension-Study of Collaboration

29. ….Insights Gained • Collaborative efforts require time to develop and to become involved with • Leadership requires certain knowledge, skills, personalities • Partners should be trained upfront of what collaboration requires • Having resources contributes to collaboration efforts being attended to…paid staff Virginia Cooperative Extension-Study of Collaboration

30. Thanks • Question?????? Virginia Cooperative Extension-Study of Collaboration