Partnered for Progress

The concept for Partnered for Progress, the Los Angeles, County Regional Cancer Detection Partnership, began via a series of community meetings to discuss the breast cancer and breast health needs of medically underserved women in Los Angeles County. The meetings were convened as a result of the passage of the Breast Cancer Act of 1993. Meeting participants were stakeholders in breast cancer and breast health, including health care professionals and organizations, breast cancer advocates and survivors, public health officials, community organizations and leaders, and concerned individuals.

With technical assistance and some funding from the State Department of Health and the University of California at Davis, these stakeholders began a community-based collective planning process to design a comprehensive breast cancer early detection program for medically underserved women. These stakeholders would later lay the foundation for the organizational structure of the Partnership and occupy key positions in the organization.

This planning process also set the stage for the application for funding for the Partnership program. Partnered for Progress was funded in 1995 and was one of initial fourteen (14) regional partnerships throughout the State to implement the Breast Cancer Early Detection Program (BCEDP) in Los Angeles County. The first contract had two phases: a community planning or assessment phase and an implementation phase. In 1997, the Partnership was awarded a three (3) year contract to begin the evaluation phase of the project.

This contract was subsequently extended until 2002. The Partnership was granted another three (3) year contract to continue its work in breast health and expand its scope to cervical health and healthy lifestyle, implementing the newly established Cancer Detection Programs: Every Woman Counts (CDP: EWC) locally. Subsequently, the Partnership was granted an extension through 2007. Partnered for Progress was awarded another contract and became a Regional Contractor for the CDP: EWC. The new Regional Contractor model was less community driven and focused on tailored education and provider technical assistance. This agreement was extended through 2010. At the end of the contract period, Partnered for Progress and Scripps Health opted not to continue administering the Cancer Detection Programs: Every Woman Counts for Los Angeles County and San Diego / Imperial Counties, respectively.

Partnered for Progress continues to work in cancer control using a collaborative approach to address health disparities. It works primarily through coalitions and / or partnerships. Ongoing interests include the production of an annual breast health resource guide, technical assistance on wellness initiatives, community participatory research, policy / advocacy, and the coordination of Latinas: Salud y Vida---a health conference for Spanish-speaking women coordinated by the Partnered for Progress convened Latina Task Force.

Questions? Comments? Please contact us at info@partneredforprogress.org