Coordinating

At this stage, your partnership is growing stronger. The partners are modifying their activities for mutual benefit. They are engaged in joint projects and other collaborations.

What This Stage Looks Like

You and your partner(s) care about the same things.
You are engaged in short-term or long-term projects.
You engage each other using formal or informal agreements.
You share time, decision making, and/or resources.
Each of you retains autonomy.
There is low to moderate risk.

How to Move to the Next Stage

Commit to the partnership in a formal way.
Define the terms and boundaries of the partnership.
Recruit strategic, high-capacity partners that know how to nurture collaboration.
Structure the partnership for engagement and inclusion among partners.
Formulate long-term strategic directions and shared vision.

Examples from the Field

Modify activities for mutual gain.

A tribal GLS grantee in Alaska is housed in a behavioral health organization where mental health clinicians, substance abuse treatment staff, and suicide prevention outreach personnel serve remote villages. The relationship between substance abuse counselors and mental health staff has been strengthened by implementing an integrated patient assessment process for both units, rather than each unit conducting its own assessment.

Melanee Tirua, Community Health Services Division Manager (0:35)

Define the terms and boundaries of the partnership.

The Cherokee Nation tribal GLS grant project Seeking Hope uses memoranda of understanding (MOUs) with its tribal coalitions to ensure partners have a clear understanding of their roles.

Levi Keehler, Director of Prevention Programs (0:21)

Recruit strategic, high-capacity partners that know how to nurture collaboration.

The Cherokee Nation tribal GLS grantee emphasizes among grant staff and partners an understanding of the interconnectedness of substance abuse and suicide. This connection is critical for responding to community needs, which transcend specific health areas or funding silos.