ABSTRACT
Cape Fear Healthy Carolinians of Brunswick and New Hanover counties is a collaborative, community-based network of individuals, businesses, and government and nonprofit organizations whose mission is improving the quality of life by evaluating and addressing community issues, supporting health education and awareness, and promoting resource accessibility. The Division of Public Health provides seed funding to the local grassroots organizations on a competitive basis. The certification process provides guidance for getting started; establishing a steering committee; performing a community assessment; developing an action plan; and monitoring and evaluating progress. The existence of an oversight organization provides guidance and some level of seed money for the local entities, but nonetheless each local unit must be self-initiating and sustaining. This chapter analyses the important role of a neutral convener in bringing key participants to the table and the importance of a strategic focus, involvement of community leaders, and the ability to bridge cultural and racial gaps to sustain collaboration over time.
