Policy Consensus E-News — June / July 2008
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In this issue:
- Case Study: Delaware Cancer Collaborative
- Communities Use Collaborative Processes in Disaster Recovery
- Hinckley Journal and Video Highlight PCI and Salt Lake Solutions
- News from the University Network
Case Study: Delaware Cancer Collaborative
The Problem
Cancer incidence and mortality in Delaware was among the highest in the nation in 2002. The task: to reduce cancer incidence and mortality. Governor Ruth Ann Minner, whose own family has been affected by cancer, convened the Delaware Cancer Consortium (DCC) in SB102 to advise the governor and legislature on the causes of cancer incidence and mortality and, most importantly, taking action for reducing both.
The Solution
The Consortium has implemented programs and services, driven awareness and education campaigns and many other activities to lessen the cancer burden in Delaware. Delaware's rate of improvement for cancer mortality now leads the country. By the Third-Year Progress Report, the Consortium had many highlights to report:
- Delaware's reduction in mortality was nearly double the rate of the nation.
- Colorectal cancer screening rates are up. In 2005 there was a 38% increase in the number of African Americans who reported ever having a colorectal cancer screening.
- Funding continued for a comprehensive, statewide tobacco prevention program at levels recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- The Tobacco Prevention and Control Program expanded tobacco cessation services to include the web-based QuitNet and more face-to-face counseling through the Quitline.
- The Delaware Cancer Treatment Program, the first of its kind in the country, served more than 221 patients.
- From 2002-2006, 1,317 colonoscopies were performed through Screening for Life.
- A promotional campaign for radon testing of Delaware homes generated a 300% increase in the number of public inquiries about radon.
- Screening for Life screened 1,412 uninsured or underinsured Delawareans, and removed polyps from 823 patients.
- An annual fund was established to train and place statewide cancer care coordinators who link patients with medical and support services.
- The Consortium continued to focus on closing gaps for disparity groups.
Read the whole case study here.
Prepared for PCI by the University of Delware's Conflict Resolution Program
Communities Use Collaborative Processes in Disaster Recovery
As many communities, especially throughout the midwestern states, face emergency and disaster events, four communities affected by severe flooding, fires, and tornadoes, have taken collaborative approaches to rebuild their schools, prioritize projects to reduce flooding and its impacts, and create a sustainable, green community.
Tillamook, OR - Tillamook Basin Flooding Reduction Project
Following major flooding in Oregon's coastal town of Tillamook in 2006 and 2007, Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski designated an Oregon Solutions project to prioritize projects on the ground that would alleviate the social, economic, and political damage such floods cause. Former Tillamook City Manager Dick Townsend, the Oregon Solutons project manager, explained that the process would "allow all affected parties to sit at the table and work on sustainable solutions to Tillamook Basin flooding. The Oregon Solutions process can also assist in coordinating affected state agency efforts, and provides an opportunity to have federal agencies at the table as partners." Two local leaders, State Senator Betsy Johnson and Tillamook County Commissioner Mark Labhart, are convening this effort. The Oregon Solutions Team signed a Declaration of Cooperation on October 31, 2007 that outlines the top prioritized projects to reduce flooding and its impacts, including how funding and permits might be obtained. Since last fall, the team has been working to implement the 9 priority projects. View the Declaration of Cooperation, the list of project team members, and priorities here.
Greensburg, KS - Long-Term Community Recovery Plan
On May 4, 2007, an F5 tornado struck the City of Greensburg, destroying ninety-five percent of all homes and buildings in town. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) activated the Long-Term Community Recovery (LTCR) program, which integrated assistance from the State of Kansas and federal agencies focused on the community’s long-term recovery goals. The program provides coordination of resources and planning services in support of the area’s recovery effort. As part of the city's recovery, Kansas State University's Center for Engagement and Community Development organized a focused and concerted Kansas State University effort to assist the town. In early August, 2007, CECD staff traveled to Greensburg to listen to citizens talk about their priorities and their greatest needs. In late August, CECD brought together nearly 50 K-State faculty and staff and community leaders from Greensburg to talk about ways that K-State could best assist Greensburg rebuilding efforts. Several projects resulted from CECD's efforts, including a Community Media project, designing green structures, and a behavioral health program to aid community members in disaster recovery.
Read more about Greensburg's Long-Term Community Recovery Program, which was based on the outcomes of several community engagement processes, here.
Vernonia, OR - Vernonia Schools Project
In December 2007, Vernonia, Oregon suffered a devastating flood, damaging all three of its school buildings and rendering the Vernonia High School building unusable. Following the flood, the Army Corps of Engineers revised the flood maps, placing the schools squarely in the high-risk flood zone. In response, Governor Ted Kulongoski designated the Vernonia schools an Oregon Solutions project, appointing Columbia County Commissioner Tony Hyde and Neil Kelly Company CEO Tom Kelly to be co-conveners of the project. The Oregon Solutions team of community leaders and statewide experts has been assembled to participate in a collaborative process to site new schools and to help assemble a funding package to rebuild them. The team will work with the Vernonia School District to successfully site the school in a location beneficial to the students and the entire community and to help secure funding from a variety of sources to rebuild the schools.
University of Utah's Hinckley Journal and New Video Highlight PCI and Salt Lake Solutions
The 2008 issue of the University of Utah's Hinckley Journal of Politics includes an article written by Salt Lake City Mayor and PCI Board member Ralph Becker. "Finding Winning Solutions - The Art and Science of Good Governance" by Becker outlines his approach to collaborative decision-making and the influence of other elected officials, particularly former Utah Governor Scott Matheson and other members of the PCI Board, on this approach. Becker also summarizes many of the conclusions that the PCI Board has come to over the years about the elements necessary to a collaborative system in solving public issues, addressing:
- What results does it produce?
- Why is it needed?
- How is this different from "government"?
- What does it take?
- How does it work?
Becker concludes with this call to other elected officials: "With resources like PCI and hundreds of efforts around the country however, the art and science of good governance is at our fingertips. Think what our government would look like if we adopted principles of transparency, inclusiveness, and participant-based decision making as the norm. Imagine how much better and involved our communities would be if residents felt like their voices mattered. Consider how much more willing our voters would be to participate in basic democratic functions if they felt like decisions were based on the principles" of "transparency; equity and inclusiveness; responsiveness; accountability; forum neutrality; and consensus-based decision making."
Read Becker's entire article here.
PCI has also added a new video to its Video Series (available for viewing on the PCI website and on PCI's YouTube Channel) on how Mayor Becker worked with community leaders to establish Salt Lake Solutions and launch its first project.
News from the University Network
Save the Date!
The next meeting for university centers and programs will be November 9-11 in Austin, Texas. The University of Texas Law School’s Center for Public Policy Dispute Resolution will co-sponsor the meeting with PCI and UNCG. Rooms are being held for $129 a night (plus tax) at the Doubletree Hotel Austin University under the group code UNM (for online reservations) or University Network Meeting (for reservations by phone).
Check upcoming issues of the PCI E-news and PCI Events for more details.
UNCG On-line
Information on the Network as well as the members and steering committee list, the Charter, and links to join are all now available on-line. The PCI Forums for UNCG are also open. Post questions, information, events, and news for other users from university centers and programs.
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