In New Hampshire, a mandate to collaborate is transforming the way organizations work together to address complex issues and improve outcomes for the community. This mandate, known as the Collective Impact model, is gaining traction across the state as leaders realize the power of collaboration in creating lasting change.
The Collective Impact model is based on the idea that no single organization or sector has all the answers to complex social and environmental issues. Instead, it requires organizations to come together and work towards a common goal through shared measurement, mutually reinforcing activities, continuous communication, and backbone support.
One example of Collective Impact in action in New Hampshire is the Granite United Way’s Healthy Eating Active Living (HEAL) initiative. This initiative brings together public health organizations, local governments, schools, businesses, and community members to improve access to healthy food and promote physical activity in communities across the state. By working together, these organizations are able to leverage their unique resources and expertise to create a coordinated approach to addressing issues related to nutrition and physical activity.
Another successful example of Collaborative Impact in New Hampshire is the New Hampshire Children’s Health Foundation’s Oral Health 2020 initiative, which aims to improve the oral health of all children in the state by the year 2020. Through partnerships with dental providers, school systems, community organizations, and policymakers, the initiative has been able to implement targeted interventions and policy changes that have led to significant improvements in children’s oral health outcomes.
In addition to promoting collaboration among organizations, the Collective Impact model also emphasizes the importance of engaging community members in the decision-making process. By including the voices of those most affected by the issues being addressed, organizations are able to develop solutions that are more responsive to the needs and priorities of the community.
While the Collective Impact model has shown great promise in New Hampshire, it is not without its challenges. Building and sustaining collaborative partnerships requires a significant investment of time, resources, and trust among participating organizations. In addition, measuring the impact of collaborative efforts can be difficult, as outcomes are often long-term and complex.
Despite these challenges, the mandate to collaborate in New Hampshire is gaining momentum as organizations see the value in working together towards common goals. By embracing the Collective Impact model, organizations across the state are finding new and innovative ways to address the most pressing issues facing their communities and create lasting change for the better.
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