Facilitators of well-functioning consortia: national Healthy Start program lessons

Social workers often are central to the work of community-based consortia to improve service delivery and enhance community participation in health initiatives. This article presents qualitative findings from a multisite case study of consortia in the federal Healthy Start Initiative to reduce infant mortality in high-risk communities. The authors examine the facilitators of well-functioning consortia in a framework of empowerment theory and community organizing with women of color. These facilitators include flexibility in the design of locally appropriate consortia structures; broad institutional support; diverse incentives for participation; adequate resources on multiple levels; and identification with the program and its mission. Implications for social work practice and for policy are provided.