Core Competency: Building and Sustaining Partnerships

Building strong partnerships starts with really getting to know the people in the state and/or community who shape rural health. This may look different in every state but can include state and local leaders, community organizations, health care professionals, health associations, and community members. Understanding the challenges and strengths of each group helps to ensure that state Flex Programs are keeping a pulse on what is happening. Building a strong relationship first requires a state Flex Program to build trust within the communities served; this can mean having regular touch points, attending community events, and checking in with hospitals regularly. Showing partners that Flex staff will show up and follow through helps relationships thrive. 

When trust is established and there is clear leadership from the Flex Program, these relationships become powerful tools to improve rural health. Sustaining partnerships also ensures ways to network which can be beneficial for everyone involved; they can be a great way to share expertise, combine resources, and improve access to care for all. Sustaining partnerships is critical to ensuring the best outcomes for rural health. 

PROFICIENCIES:

• Develop or maintain relationships with each rural provider through routine visits to each hospital and clinic
• Host and participate in local and state partner meetings to discuss issues impacting rural health with well-developed facilitation skills
• Engage with other state Flex Programs to identify promising practices and troubleshoot similar challenges
• Regularly convene meetings with rural providers on relevant Flex Program areas
• Regularly convene peer to peer sharing with rural providers on relevant Flex Program areas
• Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with state associations representing various provider types to foster regular communication on new programs, policy and regulatory changes, and opportunities for collaboration

Related Resources: 

Collaboration Toolkit

National Rural Health Resource Center

Community Partner Relationship Management Platform

Visible Newtork Labs

Collaboration Factors Inventory

Wilder Collection