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Sustainability: Introduction

Sustainability is a critical topic for Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) units nationwide. Each MRC faces different circumstances regarding sustainability and funding based on their local situation. Nationwide, the MRC proves its value and worth. Local units are demonstrating that they have helped increase public health preparedness and bolstered public health infrastructure in their communities through MRC volunteer activities. This leads to support outside of their sponsoring agency—community and key stakeholder support ensures sustainability.

One traditional definition of sustainability is “to keep in existence; to maintain or prolong.” Another interpretation is that sustainability incorporates a practice into a community or permanently instills a practice in a community. The MRC has extended this definition since the program’s inception in 2002. Although 166 MRC units were recipients of the Office of the Surgeon General-sponsored MRC Demonstration Project, which funded local sponsoring agencies (42 in 2002 and 124 in 2003) for 3 years, more than 300 MRC units found various ways to develop and sustain additional operating entities.

Funding is one component of sustainability, and there are other key elements that ensure it.

Elements of Sustainability

Internal (institutional) capacity identifies and addresses maintenance issues, such as developing a process for replacing members/cultivating new leaders/volunteers and a sound organizational structure to facilitate action/team spirit.
Strategic planning and implementation transforms your vision and mission into reality using logic models and action plans.
Financial security allows you to develop a resource plan with diverse funding streams and cultivate in-kind (material, human) resources.
Integration of efforts institutionalizes programs, policies, and services into other community initiatives.
Communication cultivates buy-in and visibility in and outside your MRC unit.
Community champions can support your efforts.
Demonstrated value shows that your MRC unit is an indispensable resource.

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Last Updated on 8/28/2006