Background

The need for cross-sector collaborations to implement system-level improvements in early childhood care and education brings increased demand for comprehensive and practicable means of evaluating such collaborations.

Objective

This mixed-methods study evaluates a statewide collaboration formed to develop a strategic plan for a comprehensive mixed-delivery system serving children birth to age 5 using instruments appropriate to an early-stage collaboration and adding a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).

Method

All collaboration members were asked to complete the Collaborative Vitality Survey and a random subsample of members with high rates of participation completed phone interviews. Survey data were summarized across six dimensions: participation, community, productivity, communication, accountability, and synergy. Using thematic analysis and frequencies, qualitative interviews were coded along these dimensions and DEI, incorporating an appreciative inquiry approach identifying barriers, supports, and hopes for the future.

Results

Overall, collaborative participation was high. Across methods, respondents reported they, overall, were pleased with collaborative functioning. Qualitative interviews suggest the collaboration domains of community and participation were most salient. Concrete recommendations from participants can be put into practice and inform the collaboration as state-level work continues.

Conclusion

The early stage of collaboration is fundamental to success and defined by building cohesion, norms, and roles. This study highlights key weaknesses and strengths that influence collaborative functioning at this stage and illustrates the significance of defining and manifesting DEI in collaboration efficacy. This study demonstrates the importance of evaluating collaboration in an ongoing manner to ensure effectiveness and inform improvements in functioning over time.

中文翻译：

---

成功的基础：全州跨部门幼儿合作的混合方法评估

背景

需要进行跨部门合作以在幼儿保育和教育中实现系统级的改善，因此对评估这种合作的综合且切实可行的方法的需求日益增加。

客观的

这项混合方法研究评估了一项全州范围的合作，该合作旨在使用适合于早期合作的工具并重点关注多样性，公平和包容性（DEI），制定服务于5岁以下儿童的综合混合分娩系统的战略计划。 ）。

方法

所有协作成员均被要求完成协作活力调查，参与率高的成员的随机子样本完成了电话采访。调查数据概括为六个维度：参与，社区，生产力，沟通，问责制和协同作用。使用主题分析和频率，沿着这些维度和DEI对定性访谈进行编码，并采用欣赏性调查方法，确定障碍，支持和对未来的希望。

结果

总体而言，合作参与度很高。在所有方法中，受访者均表示总体上对协作功能感到满意。定性访谈表明，社区和参与的协作领域最为突出。参与者的具体建议可以付诸实践，并随着州级工作的不断开展为合作提供信息。

结论

协作的早期阶段是成功的基础，并通过建立凝聚力，规范和角色来定义。这项研究突出了在此阶段影响协作功能的主要弱点和优势，并说明了定义和体现DEI在协作效能中的重要性。这项研究表明了以持续方式评估协作以确保有效性并告知随着时间的推移改进功能的重要性。