Recognition of CTC's succeses 


Collective Impact

In 2011, the Stanford Social Innovation Review published an article introducing the term "collective impact" to refer to “the commitment of a group of important actors from different sectors to a common agenda for solving a specific social problem”. In follow-up articles, the journal featured the Communities that Care Coalition as an example of a successful collective impact initiative--bringing national attention to the coalition. The coalition has since been profiled on the Collective Impact Forum website, and coalition leaders have made presentations about Communities That Care at conferences and workshops across the country. 

What makes collective impact different from ordinary collaborations are five conditions:
  1. Common agenda: Participants have a shared vision for change, a common understanding of the problem, and a joint approach to solving it.
    2.  
  2. Shared measurement: Collecting data and measuring results supports alignment of efforts and accountability.
    3.  
  3. Mutually reinforcing activities: Participants each have a unique role and these roles reinforce one another.
    4.  
  4. Continuous communication: Open communication builds trust and creates motivation.
    5.  
  5. Backbone support: Dedicated staff provide the backbone for the initiative and coordinate participating organizations.  
For a two-minute video on collective impact, click here. 


National Academy of Medicine publishes paper on collaboration between CTC and Baystate Franklin Medical Center 

Jeanette Voas, Kat Allen and Ruth Potee co-authored an article entitled "The Communities That Care Coalition Model for Improving Community Health through Clinical–Community Partnerships: A Population Health Case Report" that was published online by the National Academy of Medicine (formerly the Institute of Medicine) in 2016. The article traces the history of the coalition and describes how CTC works with the hospital to achieve common goals. 


Communities That Care Coalition Co-Chair Kat Allen Presents at Summit at White House

In 2014, Kat Allen represented the Communities That Care Coalition as one of several panelists presenting successful approaches in preventing substance abuse and promoting academic success in a day-long Policy Forum co-sponsored by the Office of National Drug Control Policy and the federal Department of Education.

"It is such an honor to be able to represent the Communities That Care Coalition and the amazing work that all of you do! And so exciting to be able to bring this work to the attention of national-level decision-makers with the hopes that we can influence national policy!" said Allen of the invitation.

The Coalition received high praise for its efforts and outcomes from the country's current acting Drug Czar, Michael Botticelli, as well as from the Director of the Center for Substance Abuse Services, Fran Harding (pictured on Allen's right, above). As a follow-up to the event, Allen (representing the Communities That Care Coalition) was invited to present at the Trust for America's Health's first-ever National Forum on Hospitals, Health Systems & Population Health.


Communities That Care Coalition's Massachusetts "Healthy Communities" Award

In 2009, the Massachusetts Department of Health and the MassPartnership for Healthy Communities recognized the work of the Communities That Care Coalition with a "Healthy Communities" Award for exceptional commitment to the Healthy Communities principle of “building capacity using local assets and resources”.  

The purpose of these awards is to highlight creative and useful best practices developed by communities as they implement the Healthy Communities Principles in their work in order to better promote their use throughout the Commonwealth.

 
Communities That Care Coalition's "Got Outcomes" Coalition of Excellence Award

In 2007, Communities That Care was recognized as the "Got Outcomes" Coalition of Year by the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA). CADCA is the nation's premier membership organization for substance abuse prevention coalitions, with representation from more than 5000 coalitions. The Communities That Care Coalition was selected from a nationally competitive pool of nominees.

The Got Outcomes! Coalition of the Year awards recognize coalitions that have successfully reduced substance abuse in their communities through evidence-based programs, policies or strategies. Applicants undergo a rigorous review process and winners are judged by a panel of expert coalition leaders. “These organizations represent the best of the best, and exemplify the excellent work that coalitions are doing around the country to prevent and reduce drug use in their communities,” said General Arthur T. Dean, CADCA’s Chairman and CEO, of Got Outcomes! Award recipients.