How to Plan for Sustainability
A sustainability plan must meet the particular needs of a community, with each community having different requirements. Sustainability plans often address the following organizational and contextual factors:
- Adaptability of program
- Coalitions and partnerships
- Communication approaches
- Environmental supports
- Funding and financial support
- Organizational capacity
- Program evaluation
- Political support
- Strategic planning
For sustainability planning considerations for specific types of programs, see:
- Aging in Place
- Care Coordination Toolkit
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Toolkit
- Community Health Workers Toolkit
- Community Paramedicine Toolkit
- Diabetes Prevention and Management Toolkit
- Early Childhood Health Promotion Toolkit
- Health Equity Toolkit
- Health Literacy Toolkit
- Health Networks and Coalitions Toolkit
- Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Toolkit
- HIV/AIDS Prevention and Treatment Toolkit
- Maternal Health Toolkit
- Mental Health Toolkit
- Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD Toolkit)
- Oral Health Toolkit
- Prevention and Treatment of Substance Use Disorders Toolkit
- Services Integration Toolkit
- Social Determinants of Health Toolkit
- Suicide Prevention Toolkit
- Telehealth Toolkit
- Tobacco Control and Prevention Toolkit
- Transportation Toolkit
The Rural Philanthropy Toolkit discusses strategies for sustaining partnerships with funders.
Resources to Learn More
The
DNA of Program Sustainability: Findings from a Study of Federal Office of Rural Health Policy
Grantees
Document
This report identifies factors that contribute to program sustainability after grant funding ends, based on a
study of Rural Health Care Services Outreach Program grantees. Discusses leadership, collaboration, alignment
between need and demand, data use, and policy expertise as contributors to sustainability for rural
programs.
Organization(s): Georgia Health Policy Center
Date: 7/2020
The Dynamics of Sustainability: A Primer for Rural
Health Organizations
Document
This report was created to assist rural health organizations collaborate and build sustainable partnership
projects. It includes success stories and tangible strategies to apply lessons learned to other rural community
partnership programs.
Organization(s): Georgia Health Policy Center
Date: 2/2012
Sustainability Planning Tools
Website
This website includes links to other resources to help plan sustainable programs in rural communities. It
highlights long-term approaches for programs.
Organization(s): Georgia Health Policy Center