Collaboration Multiplier: A tool for engaging key sectors to prevent violence

Preventing violence requires the engagement of many fields, yet often these fields don’t realize the difference they can make or don’t know how to be most effective. Multi-Sector Partnerships for Preventing Violence offers a systematic approach for collaboration across sectors to prevent violence and walks readers through Prevention Institute’s Collaboration Multiplier tool. Collaboration Multiplier was designed to support effective cross-sector partnerships to address any health concern. This guide clarifies the roles and contributions of 10 public and private sectors and 12 municipal departments as it relates to preventing violence—from the roles of libraries and workforce development, to actions for school and social services, and what public works and parks and recreation bring to the table.  

Developed with funding from The Kresge Foundation, Multi-Sector Partnerships for Preventing Violence explores how the whole is greater the sum of its parts, describing both what particular sectors can do, as well as the added value of working in tandems and trios. In an L.A. Times supplement due out tomorrow, Managing Director Rachel Davis writes, “It’s increasingly common knowledge today that violence is preventable and that it takes many sectors. Multi-sector approaches to prevent violence have taken off in cities across the country.” The guide reflects the best thinking of 40 practitioners in 14 large U.S. cities and counties, including many UNITY cities. UNITY stands for Urban Networks to Increase Thriving Youth, a Prevention Institute initiative that builds support for effective, sustainable efforts to prevent violence before it occurs. 

This guide allows you to replicate the Collaboration Multiplier process in your community, whether you’re just getting started or already have a strong coalition. Key features include: 

• Case examples of how various sectors are helping prevent violence in UNITY cities and other places

• Talking points to persuade others to get involved, as well as suggested actions for people who want to do even more

• An introduction to the public health approach to preventing violence, as an overarching framework for multi-sector work

• Activities for each step of the Collaboration Multiplier tool. You can complete the activities by hand or on your computer and save, print and share your work.

• The guide’s companion document outlines the benefits and challenges of multi-sector collaboration, and illustrates how the Collaboration Multiplier tool can help with an example in Houston.

Multi-sector collaboration is critical for preventing violence but too often it is not fully realized. That’s why it’s the theme of the upcoming UNITY City Network event in Oakland. This guide will serve as the foundation for ongoing technical assistance to cities in 2015, thanks to funding from the Langeloth Foundation. If you can’t join us in person from January 7 to 9, participate on Twitter #UCN2015 and follow @UNITYinitiative.