Core Partners—city/county governments, school districts, health & human service agencies, etc. engage with ERCEGI when there is strong political will to build strategic alliances and sustainable partnerships. With a focus on rural communities, ERCEGI aligns with Core Partners to improve the wellbeing of a specific geographic area by identifying local Solutions Partners (grassroots nonprofit and faithbased organizations) to strengthen the alliances.  Utilizing an Urban/Rural/Suburban mentor/mentee model, communities are able to share best practices and strengths with neighboring geographic areas.

The partnerships are developed and organized through Action Teams that weave in and out of a leadership web depending on the current needs. These Action Teams ensure that the six resilient factors are incorporated into the coalition’s strategies and activities. The work is organized through online Information Management Portals to share work between agencies and merge mutual goals and objectives that produce long-term and sustainable impact.

A Wellbeing Council is formed that is made up of youth and adults, organizations & businesses, and Core & Solutions Partners. Using data to drive decisions, the council identifies root cause and community needs as well as the best practices and solutions to improve the community’s wellbeing. Using a Community Based Participatory Research (CBPR) Model the council manages and monitors strategies, activities, and partnerships. ERCEGI has developed three parternship cultivation stages:

PHASE I: Get to Know Your Community
 

• General Data Collection

• Compilation and review of census data per census tract zone

• List of existing area initiatives

• List of Key Assets in the geographic area

• Begin compiling data from existing public sources relevant to the geographic area

• Community Canvassing Activities

• Team Scouting & Observation

• Informal focus studies/discussions with local residents

• Observe at primary 3rd Places

PHASE II: Connect Resources & Build a Base
 

• Continued Data Collection & Resource Connections

• Acquire data from existing area initiatives/organizations

• Continue compiling data from existing public sources relevant to geographic area

• Develop and Integrate Resource Connections

• Make contact with Key Assets not already in the Network

• Introduce PCR concepts

PHASE III: Formalize Partnerships & Sustainability Plans
 

• PCR Workshops: Action Plan (PCA/STMBD)

• Coordinating Efforts & Taking Action

• Wellbeing Action Teams/Wellbeing Council

• Establishing a Means of Consistent Two-Way Communication among Collaborators & with the Community at large

• Newsletter (electronic and hard copy as needed)

• Community Website /PCR portal

• E-mail, phone, meetings

• Formalized Community Commitment Plans developed and launched

• Collaborative program, project, and resource development activities launched