Benefits of Collaboration

Well-executed collaborations between organizations (for example, a child welfare agency, a medical clinic, and a community-based human service organization) can result in mutual benefits for the organizations and for the people they serve.  In the best cases, collaborations can achieve the following outcomes:

▶ Strengthen the missions and commitment of both/all parties;

▶  Enhance each party’s knowledge, skills, and effectiveness through the exchange of information, experiences, and resources;

▶ Improve services to the target population by making services more accessible, more culturally relevant, and more trustworthy.

The collaboration can be short or long-term, formal or informal. It can be between organizations or individuals. The goals can be modest or sweeping. Whatever its structure, a successful collaboration needs the following elements:

▶ Relationship:  Communication is open and clear and the partners respect and value one another.

▶ Catalyst:  The idea for the collaboration came about because of an identified problem, need, or potential benefit for the community and the partners.

▶ Mission:  The individuals or organizations have compatible missions which can be better served through the collaboration; the collaboration itself has a clearly defined mission that is agreed upon by both/all parties.

▶ Resources: The partners have (or can gain access to) adequate funding, space, time, and people (paid, volunteer, or both).

▶ Sustainability:  The partners have made a commitment, and there is a plan in place, to continue the collaboration.

▶  Shared Power:  Participants share authority, accountability, and rewards.

▶ Knowledge of the community:  The collaboration understands the community, including its people, cultures, values, and customs; typically, at least one partner is a community insider who has a trusting relationship with the community.

Barriers to Collaboration

Although collaboration can be very effective, there are potential barriers that could stand in the way.  These barriers may include:

▶ Incompatible beliefs, values, and/or methods;

▶ History of negative relationships with healthcare organizations and/or social service agencies (i.e., historic mistrust);

▶ Limited resources;

▶ Fear of losing autonomy and control;

▶  Fear of losing flexibility and creativity;

▶ An organizational culture and/or a leader’s personality that works against collaboration;

▶ Technical complexity;

▶  Geographical complexity;

▶  Absence of mutual respect, understanding, and trust;

▶ Questions of credibility and reputation;

▶ Questions of cultural competence;

▶ Fear of exploitation.

Some of these issues (and others that are not on the list) can be sources of concern for one or more of the partners.  These issues should be acknowledged and resolved before a collaborative effort can move forward.