Service Integration Initiative: Action Research Study – Partnership Analysis Tool and Program Sustainability Assessment Tool

Abstract

Partnership Analysis Tool

Developed by VicHealth, this resource is for organisations entering into or working in a partnership to assess, monitor and maximise its ongoing effectiveness.

Partnerships are an important vehicle for bringing together diverse skills and resources to gain more effective outcomes. Partnerships can increase the efficiency of systems that have an impact by making the best use of different but complementary services and resources. Collaborations, joint resourcing and planned action can also potentially have a bigger impact on outcomes across diverse sectors.

If partnerships are to be successful, they must have a clear purpose, add value to the work of the partners, and be carefully planned and monitored. This resource is based on the evaluation of a range of initiatives undertaken to promote mental health and wellbeing.

It is designed to help organisations:
• Develop a clearer understanding of the range of purposes of collaborations
• Reflect on the partnerships they have established
• Focus on ways to strengthen new and existing partnerships by engaging in discussion about issues and ways forward.

In gauging the strengths of partnerships established across the locations involved in the Service Integration Initiative, by engaging with sector partners, this tool will be utilised as part of the Action Research Study.

Read the partnership analysis tool guide here

Read more about the partnership analysis mechanism

Program Sustainability Assessment Tool

Developed and provided by Washington University in St. Louis, the Program Sustainability Assessment Tool is a 40 question self-assessment. Both program staff and stakeholders can take the assessment to evaluate the sustainability capacity of a program. The assessment can be taken online to receive a summary report of overall sustainability. Use these results to help with sustainability planning.

• The assessment is made up of 40 multiple choice questions. Programs/coalitions/sets of activities are rated across 8 sustainability domains
• The assessment takes about 10-15 minutes to finish
• The assessment can be used by programs at community, state, and national levels
• The assessment can be taken as an individual or group
• The assessment is used by various programs; public health, social services, clinical care, and educational programs have all found the assessment to be very relevant to their work

The 8 Sustainability Domains are:

In developing an understanding of each locations strengths and weakness and to support the development of a sustainability plan, by engaging with sector partners, this tool will be utilised as part of the Action Research Study.

Read more about the program sustainability tool here