EHF's Collaborating for Healthy Communities Initiative (CHCI) aims to strengthen existing health-focused coalitions and collaborative efforts by improving their effectiveness, leadership, and sustained ability to take action in improving health.
EHF understands that complex health challenges in our communities often can’t be solved by one organization alone. We need strong cross-sector collaborative efforts in order to improve health at the population and community levels. For that reason, we have launched CHCI as a resource to strengthen the effectiveness and impact of existing health-focused collaboratives in our region.
Reflections from the 2022 CHCI Cohort
New Peer Learning Network Launching December 2023
Are you a part of a coalition with a goal to deepen collaboration, build multi-sector efforts, and get practical tools to improve your effectiveness?
We encourage interested coalitions to return to this page in December 2023 for application instructions and timeline.
Registry of Coalitions
An important part of the Collaborating for Healthy Communities Initiative is to identify current health-focused coalitions and other community collaboratives that are working across EHF’s 80-county service area. The goal is to create a coalition registry and database that will be shared as a resource to communities to help improve health across Texas.
EHF’s Collaborating for Healthy Communities Initiative (CHCI) aims to strengthen existing health-focused coalitions and collaborative efforts by improving their effectiveness, leadership, and sustained ability to take action to improve health.
EHF understands that complex health challenges in our communities often can’t be solved by one organization alone. We need strong cross-sector collaborative efforts in order to improve health at the population and community levels. For that reason, we have launched CHCI as a resource to strengthen the effectiveness and impact of existing health-focused collaboratives in our region.
We encourage interested coalitions to attend the upcoming, virtual launch event on Wednesday, November 30th from 9:30 am to 11:00 am to learn more about the CHCI Peer Learning Network. After applications close, EHF will invite a group of six coalitions to participate in the second cohort of the CHCI Peer Learning Network.
If you’re part of a coalition with a goal to deepen collaboration, build multi-sector efforts, and get practical tools to improve your effectiveness, start your application today!
WATCH NOW: The CHCI Application Walkthrough
If you missed our Launch Event on November 30th, WATCH HERE to learn more about CHCI!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What are the Benefits of the Peer Learning Network?
- Expand your understanding of how to build and/or maintain a strong collaborative
- Receive technical assistance to assess your coalition’s current capacity and strengths, and develop plans to address unmet needs
- Appreciate dedicated time to enhance the effectiveness of your collaborative, while working toward your goals
- Connect with peers from other coalitions to solve problems and discuss mutual concerns and practices
What topics does CHCI cover?
EHF’s Peer Learning Network focuses learning on four pillars for strong collaboration :
- Shared Purpose
- Shared Leadership
- Strategic Action
- Positioning for Sustainability and Sustained Impact
What are the components of CHCI?
- Coaching and Technical Assistance – EHF will assign vetted consultants and technical assistance providers to help each coalition identify current capacity, build on strengths, and develop plans to address underlying needs and challenges as well as how to apply new learnings.
- Collaborative Self-Assessment – EHF staff and assigned coaches will support participating coalitions in conducting self-assessments to learn which core areas need strengthening and require attention.
- Solution Sessions – Expert content delivered through convening to support coalition leaders in improving skills, learning new information, and shifting mindsets through structured learning with the overarching goal of improving the effectiveness of community health collaboratives.
What is the structure of CHCI?
- After a virtual orientation and coalition self-assessment, the next CHCI cohort will convene in April 2023 for a kickoff retreat to welcome core teams from participating coalitions to meet and discuss with new peers in the learning network.
- Each core team will participate in a total of four 2-hour, interactive solution sessions which correspond with the four pillars of collaboration and take place every six weeks, between April and August. Between solution sessions, core teams will focus on content application and “bridging” internally to prepare for future sessions with the larger peer learning network. Assigned coaches will be available to support coalitions, individuals, and peer groups throughout CHCI in strengthening effective collaboration and improving outcomes throughout the program.
- At the end of August 2023, once the four solution sessions and bridging are completed, each coalition will be given an opportunity to select an area of focus for their work and receive up to $10,000 in financial support and intensive coaching to work toward their goal(s) until the culmination of the peer learning network experience in February 2024.
What is the time commitment for CHCI?
- Coalitions that apply to the CHCI Peer Learning Network will be expected to participate in all activities from March 2023 – February 2024.
What are the requirements for coalitions in CHCI?
- Coalitions must have at least three partner organizations or members.
- Coalitions must be working in one of the 57 counties in EHF’s service area.
- Coalitions must be focused on health, by working on social determinants of health or improving health outcomes otherwise.
- Each participating coalition will designate a core team of at least five key individuals to take part in the activities of the peer learning network: (1) coalition coordinator, (2) a representative from the backbone or primary sponsoring organization who has decision-making authority (executive director or deputy director), (3-5) representatives from participating organizations that are highly engaged in the coalition work. (Note: Up to eight collaborative members and leaders may participate in the core team.)
What are the Key Dates for CHCI?
Note: Except where indicated, all sessions and activities listed below will take place online via Zoom.
Activity | Date |
Application Walkthrough & Guidance (register) | January 11, 2023 12:00pm-1:00pm CST |
Application deadline | January 25, 2023 |
Applications reviewed | Through February 17, 2023 |
2023 CHCI Cohort Announced | February 20, 2023 |
Introductions & Self-Assessments with Coaches | Between February 21 – March 31st, 2023 |
CHCI Peer Learning Network Orientation (online) | March 9th, 2023 10:00am-12:00pm CST |
Kickoff Retreat (in person) | April 13th, 2023 10:00am-3:00pm CST Location: TBA |
PLN Solution Sessions (online) | April 13th, 2023 – Shared Purpose* June 1st, 2023 – Shared Leadership July 13th, 2023 – Strategic Action August 24th, 2023 – Sustainability 10:00am-12:00pm CST |
Bridging Sessions between PLN sessions | April – August 2023 |
Proposal due for Financial Support & Intensive Coaching | September 18, 2023
|
Intensive Coaching | September 2023 – February 2024 |
PLN Cohort Reconvening (online) | November 16, 2023 10:00am-12:00pm CST |
CHCI Wrap up Retreat (in person) | February 22nd, 2024 10:00am-3:00pm CST Location: TBA |
Post-CHCI Evaluation & Collaborative Self-Assessment | March 2024 |
Is there an application worksheet we can use to brainstorm with my coalition before we apply?
