Cross-Sector Collaboration (Bridging)

Teamwork, systems thinking, and supporting entrepreneurship are values at the core of NNPHI. With these in mind, and to advance our mission, we build on our cross-sector collaboration model to nurture long-term, sustainable teamwork among partners of all stripes. NNPHI and its member institutes exist to advance public health practice. Building on a culture of social entrepreneurialism, our organization and network embraces innovative, non-traditional approaches to improving population health.

Our Work

Making real progress towards national, state, and local public health goals requires aligning the diverse goals and perspectives of people and organizations in pursuit of a common social good. To support public health advancement through collaboration across sectors, NNPHI coordinates technical assistance, trainings, and convenings that align visions, missions, and resources, bringing stakeholders together to leverage resources and expertise. Projects focused on multi-sector collaboration are housed in NNPHI’s Bridging Sectors to Create Health Portfolio.

We recognize that the key to population health improvement lies in addressing the conditions that determine health and well-being on a broad scale. Accomplishing this means moving beyond just bridging silos between traditional public health partners.

That’s why NNPHI and its member institutes work towards a vision of public health practice that engages the full spectrum of stakeholders, experts, and thought-leaders who make up our communities. The Bridging portfolio staff have experience facilitating public health’s collaboration with other sectors including behavioral health; education; food systems, agriculture, and nutrition; health care; payors; and more.

Learn more about NNPHI’s in-house Cross-Sector Collaboration programs in our Related Programs section.

What You Can Expect: Our Approach

NNPHI offers the following platforms for cultivating collaboration and testing innovations:

Pilot Projects

We work with funders to create pilot project opportunities where new programs and capacities are tested in communities across the United States using sound program management strategies, a commitment to continuous quality improvement, and effective evaluation best practices. Equity concerns are paramount in our project approach and embedded throughout project activities.

Replicating and Bringing Projects to Scale

NNPHI’s broad and diverse network of member institutes assures that pilot projects can be brought to scale and replicated throughout the United States. NNPHI engages members in providing technical assistance and coaching to aid in optimal replication strategies.

Population Health Innovation

NNPHI believes innovation is key to tackling the complex, systemic problems challenging our collective health. In close partnership with our member institutes, our work in population health innovation includes:

• Regularly exploring new frontiers in policy, systems, and environmental change on the national, state, and local levels.
• Offering information and referrals for members as they explore the funding and relationships necessary to bring promising ideas to scale and replicate best practices.
• Supporting convenings and communities of practice that nurture the kind of creativity and determination that transform communities for the better.

NNPHI’s Annual Conference

Our signature event offers multiple opportunities for members and partners to share innovative ideas and explore the next frontier of population health. The conference features Collaborative Practice Design Labs, which are sessions that encourage members to share new topical or capacity areas for development. We create a “think tank” environment to test new ideas.

Contact Us

For more information, please contact us at collaboration@nnphi.org.