Given that the study of collaboration is relatively new and crosses professional disciplines, the literature and frameworks for assessing collaborative efforts are limited and still very formative. Building upon recently developed evaluation frameworks and research on contextual factors contributing to successful collaboration, this presentation will propose a framework for evaluating community collaborations, specifically contextual, processes and outcome assessment. Data from a case study of the Community Health Improvement Partners (CHIP), a collaborative of healthcare stakeholders in the San Diego region, will be presented. Using a survey instrument that examined six contextual categories thought to influence successful collaboration, assessed the collaborative's developmental phase, and evaluated outcomes based on collaborative goals and objectives provide the data. Twenty-nine members of the Community Health Improvement Partners’ Steering Committee comprise this sample; all representing some type of health related organization or agency. Significant findings suggest that contextual factors such as purpose, membership, and process and structure are influential to collaborative success. In addition, trust, group think and self perception in terms of phase of development were other significant findings.

The presenter will provide recommendations for future collaborative efforts, address the need for ongoing collaborative research, as well as discuss the implications of collaboration as they relate to the public health field.