MCHwork: Transforming Learning

It is crucial for Title V agencies to collaborate and partner with community-based organizations (CBOs) to foster a dynamic synergy that leverages the unique strengths of both entities. CBOs possess localized knowledge, have focused on specific cultural and linguistic competence-based approaches in their work, and have established trust within their communities, enabling them to effectively reach and engage many populations. By working together, Title V agencies can tap into these invaluable resources, gaining insights into community needs, priorities, and barriers. This collaboration allows for tailored interventions, appropriate messaging, and targeted outreach strategies that maximize the effectiveness and acceptance of MCH programs and initiatives. Additionally, CBOs serve as vital intermediaries, facilitating access to healthcare services, mobilizing community resources, and bridging gaps. Harnessing the power of these partnerships, we can build stronger, more resilient communities and achieve sustainable improvements in population health outcomes.

In this video, we share the importance to first clarify your program’s intent of working with CBOs. Ask yourself, “What Title V goals are we seeking to accomplish with any given partner?” Before even issuing requests for proposals with CBOs, it’s helpful to know who trusts whom in the community and why.

In the second video of the series, we dive deeper into how to cultivate relationships with CBOs, starting with gaining an understanding of how each is addressing a given population’s needs in specified areas.

In the final video in the series, we jump to tips on developing contracts with CBOs with a specific focus on seeking to improve health outcomes.

• Why Partner with Community-Based Organizations. Year Developed: 2021. Source: National Network to Eliminate Disparities in Behavioral Health. Type: Webinar Archive. Level: Introductory. Length: 4 minutes.
• Partnering With Communities to Advance Health: MDPH's Ambassador Programs. Year Developed: 2023. Source: Colorado Health Institute. Presenter(s): Nicole Weber, Emily Santich, and Rachel Bowyer. Type: Webinar Archive. Level: Introductory. Length: 60 minutes. Read more about the initiative.
• What Matters Most in Driving Cross-Sector Partnerships for Complex Populations. Year Developed: 2019. Source: The Better Care Playbook and the Camden Coalition’s National Center for Complex Health and Social Needs. Presenter(s): Lauran Hardin, MSN, RN-BC, FNAP, FAAN; Shelly Trumbo, MBA; Victor Murray, MSW. Type: Webinar Archive. Level: Intermediate. Length: 60 minutes. Read more about the initiative and download presentation slides.
• Tips & Strategies for Community-Based Programs. Year Developed: 2021. Source: The Baltimore Children Youth Fund Partnership Development. Presenter(s): Rene Angelo-Mauk. Type: Webinar Archive. Level: Intermediate. Length: 60 minutes. Read more about the initiative and download presentation slides.

• Spencer A and Nuamah A. Building Effective Health System-Community Partnerships: Lessons from the Field. 2021. Center for Health Care Strategies. This brief shares considerations for health care organizations and government entities to build effective partnerships with the individuals and communities they serve to better address their health and social needs. It draws from the experiences of two sites — Hennepin Healthcare in Minneapolis and the Los Angeles Department of Health Services Whole-Person Care Program — that participated in the Community Partnership Pilot, a Center for Health Care Strategies initiative made possible by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
• Institute for Local Government. Partnering with Community-Based Organizations for More Broad-Based Public Engagement. 2015. This publication is for local government officials interested in collaborating with local community-based organizations to enhance the breadth and depth of participation by community residents in local decisionmaking.
• Yasmin S, Haque R, Kadambay Ket al. How Public Health Partnerships with Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) can be Leveraged for Health Promotion and Community Health. The Journal of Health Care Organization, Provision, and Financing. 2022. This article shares how the Academic Public Health Corps partnered with CBOs in Massachusetts to address COVID-19 concerns within their respective communities, and present strategies to empower communities, share resources, and increase health promotion.  The model of outreach illustrates an intentional way of addressing key public health issues within local communities. The success of these partnerships highlights the importance of including CBOs in conversations about public health.
• National Business Coalition on Health and the Community Coalitions Health Institute. Community Health Partnerships: Tools and Information for Development and Support. This report includes general guidelines for successful partnerships; outreach strategies for both CBOs and public health officials, lessons learned, and a checklist for planning to initiate a partnership relationship.
• Clinical and Translational Science Awards Consortium. Principles of Community Engagement (2nd ed.). 2011. Bethesda, MD: National Institutes of Health. This primer provides public health professionals, health care providers, researchers, and community-based leaders and organizations with both a science base and practical guidance for engaging partners in projects that may affect them. Topics include definitions and organizing concepts from the literature, principles, successful examples in the field, managing organizational support, challenges in improving community-engagement in research, the value of social networking, and evaluation.