Coalition Killers-Work Group Scenarios

Coalition A

·  This is a coalition formed a year ago to address the domestic violence issue.

·  Core members include a police officer, physician, mental health specialist, medical records clerk, injury prevention specialist, social services caseworker, and a fire fighter.

·  The physician serves as the facilitator.

·  In the past 12 months the team has met 6 times due to other facilitator commitments. When they have met, arguments between mental health and social services have erupted over agency responsibility issues.

·  Also during meetings, discussions often lead to other injury topics.

·  Since inception of the team, no plan of action has been agreed upon; and there have been no accomplishments.

·  The team members communicate only during meetings.

Coalition B

·  Coalition B formed approximately 12 months ago and has met monthly.

·  The goal of this coalition is to reduce the incidence of domestic violence through establishing another safe house, advocating for laws, and increasing community awareness of the issue.

·  Members include a police officer, physician, injury prevention specialist, domestic violence victim, judge, mental health specialist, ex-abuser, community council member, women’s shelter volunteer, and grant writer. The domestic violence victim serves as the facilitator.

·  The team works well together and is able to work through conflicts.

·  Coalition members communicate regularly through email, phone calls, face-to-face meetings, and memos.

·  Since inception of the team, a $50,000.00 grant has been secured and a monthly newsletter has been established.

·  The team was recently featured in the local newspaper when they held a year-end awards luncheon for outstanding committee members and collaborators.

NOTE: To Complete this exercise, answer the questions on the reverse side of this handout.
QUESTIONS:

What are some of the barriers facing Coalition A? / What are some of the strengths of Coalition B?
Which coalition appears more effective and Why?
What are other strengths you have experienced in working with coalitions? / Barriers?
What are some ways to work with a coalition with these strengths? / Barriers?

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Intermediate Injury Prevention (Level II)