1. Identify key community organizations (churches, civic groups, clubs, schools, hospitals, banks, etc.) and let them know ideas for what they can do to improve care of people with chronic conditions.  The community is a trusted access point for reaching people with chronic conditions, their families, and their friends to support them in learning more about the chronic condition and gaining control over it.
2. Identify local/state interest groups.
3. Before developing a relationship, review missions of different organizations to ensure compatibility.
4. Identify team/clinic needs (technical, staff, hardware, strips, etc.) and approach other community organizations for help.
5. Request education and services from universities, colleges, and extension services.
6. Develop memoranda of understanding or similar documents as needed to define partnerships.
7. Prepare a brief presentation that outlines the goals of the chronic conditions project, the mission of your organization, and what you are striving to do for the community you serve.  Offer to do the presentation to local service organizations, conferences, university- or professional organization-sponsored workshops.
8. Work with Americorps, Peace Corps, or VISTA to place staff to work on the chronic conditions project.
9. As for community representatives to attend and be part of advisory groups.
10. Identify clinic leadership to serve on community boards.

Tips

• Find sources for interpreters to assist with education, training materials, etc.
• Get feedback from community partners to find out how they can provide support for the community learning more about chronic conditions, and to suggest others who might be willing and able to play a role.
• Review partnerships to determine which are politically or financially worth continuing.
• Use data from the registry to help other organizations understand the needs of your chronic conditions population and to show them the results of any improvements you have made.
• Use high school and college students pursuing careers in health to provide patient outreach, computer expertise, materials development assistance, etc., as part of a school project.
• Periodically review partnerships and agreements to determine success.