What We Learned About Collaboration in OWN it

One of the greatest strengths of our community is the willingness of organizations to work together.

Recently, University of Missouri School of Medicine student Diana Heckert conducted an assessment of the Ozark Wellness Network (OWN it) to better understand how organizations collaborate, make referrals, and support one another across Stone and Taney Counties.

The findings were encouraging.

Organizations reported strong familiarity with community resources and active referral practices, showing that many agencies are already working together to help residents connect with the services they need. At the same time, the assessment highlighted opportunities to strengthen collaboration through clearer referral pathways, better awareness of available resources, and shared tools that make coordination easier.

These findings reinforce something many of us experience every month at OWN it meetings: relationships matter. When organizations know one another, understand available resources, and have clear ways to connect people to services, our entire community benefits.

The assessment also provides a roadmap for future growth. By continuing to strengthen communication, streamline referrals, and build shared resources, we can create an even more connected system of care for Stone and Taney County residents.

A special thank you to Diana Heckert and the University of Missouri School of Medicine for helping us better understand the strengths and opportunities within our network. We look forward to using these findings to guide future conversations and collaborative efforts.

What stands out most to you from the results? We'd love to hear your thoughts.