Multistate Learning Collaborative: Lead States in Public Health Quality Improvement

Lea Ayers LaFave, PhD, RN, MLC-3 Project Director, Community Health Institute/JSI in Bow in New Hampshire

Project Description

CFEX LogoWe used PARTNER as part of our work in the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation-funded Multistate Learning Collaborative: Lead States in Public Health Quality Improvement (MLC-3), an initiative to improve public health services and the health of their community by implementing quality improvement (QI) practices. One of the 16 MLC-3 State, NH is a small, relatively rural state with a population of just over 1.3 million (http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/33000.html).

New Hampshire’s local public health system is unique in that we have only two comprehensive local public health departments, which are located in the two largest cities in the state. Throughout most of New Hampshire, non-governmental stakeholders perform key, and in some cases leading roles in local public health systems that are comprised community-based organizations with informal and formal linkages. In many communities, the same players are stakeholders in most community-level initiatives, and often the same stakeholders are working on a range of issues.

We used PARTNER to identify baseline and post-intervention capacity for Health Improvement Planning of the community-based quality improvement teams (QuILTs) involved in a 15- month project to address childhood obesity in three communities. Our AIM was to develop a sustainable partnership of diverse influential organizations/individuals to engage in work beyond the grant. Two of the three communities completed both baseline and post-intervention measures; the outcomes are illustrated in the storyboard.

Products Using PARTNER Data

Lessons Learned: New Hampshire
MLC-3 Grantee Meeting
Kansas City, MO
February 2010

NEW HAMPSHIRE LEARNING COLLABORATIVE (Poster)
Capacity Target: Health Improvement Planning using PARTNER
[Program to Analyze, Record, and Track Networks to Enhance Relationships]

Testimonial

“We have worked with Dr. Varda over the past two years, and utilized the PARTNER tool to assess the collaborative function of community-based quality improvement learning teams. The PARTNER tool has enabled us to assess how we work together for health improvement planning and identify how we can target our efforts to optimize capacity development. The application for measuring outcomes is especially helpful in documenting the value of our work, particularly since they can be modified to meet the specific needs of the collaborative. Dr. Varda is accessible and responsive to our unique education and application needs. It is a pleasure to work with Dr. Varda and her team.”

Lea Ayers LaFave, PhD, RN, MLC-3 Project Director
Community Health Institute/JSI
Bow, NH