Strategic Networking Session
The Networking Session small groups generated a lot of discussion between the states and programs about collaboration and/or integration to address chronic disease prevention and control. In this 60 minute session, participants were asked to share examples of how DHDSP funded programs are working toward collaborative or integrated chronic disease program activities, to discuss what is working well and any challenges experienced in working to integrate DHDSP and/or other chronic disease program activities, and to discuss how CDC NCCDPHP and/or the DHDSP can facilitate chronic disease program integration. This is an overview of the types of comments made across all groups.
Examples of Collaboration/Integration
- Internal Partnership in the Department of Health (e.g. Diabetes Program, Tobacco Program)
- External partnerships with other State agencies and private sector
- Shared staff (e.g. epidemiologist, evaluator, contractors)
- Work together on common issues (State Plan, worksite programs)
- Coordinate communication messages, websites
- Cross training
What is Working Well
- Supportive infrastructure (pooling resources, restructuring)
- Monthly meetings by profession (e.g. epidemiologists, health educators), special topic work groups (e.g. worksite setting, health care setting, women’s health)
- Community level sharing of resources
- Contracts combined
- Coordinate reports (e.g. disparities, blood pressure measurement)
- Coordinate annual meetings (e.g. chronic disease conference)
Challenges/Barriers
- Fear of change/impact of integration (reduction in positions/status/focus/resources)
- Fiscal management complications
- Define integration (vague/unclear) without diluting categorical priorities
- Lack of upper level management support for integration/collaboration
- Lack of trust/interest
Suggestions for CDC
- What are the expectations regarding integration, provide guidance, rationale for doing (e.g. Healthy Communities sites)
- Administrative Issues: Integrate timelines/deadlines for categorical funding streams, flexibility with funding, shared staff
- Merge work plans and budgets
- CDC should encourage Chronic Disease State Plan across programs
- Data integration/sharing
