Partnership building is important in ensuring your Quitline is accepted widely, trusted and utilized by all members of society. For Quitlines, the simplest and most common partnerships are those established to promote Quitline services and obtain referrals. Quitlines typically form such relationships with an array of civic, community, health care, and educational groups. To help establish and maintain these partnerships, Quitline staff may participate in events sponsored by community-based organizations or conduct onsite presentations at work sites, schools, health care facilities, or other partner sites. They may also provide promotional materials such as cards or brochures designed for members or staff of partner organizations to distribute in the field.

To plan and build these simple referral relationships strategically, Quitlines should start by identifying the various types of organizations that interact with the Quitline’s target population and that can be expected to benefit from increased awareness of Quitline services, then consider which ones are likely to yield the biggest results with respect to call volume. Although most partnerships generate referrals to the Quitline, some partnerships allow Quitlines to serve as gateways to other treatment options. In this way, besides providing counseling itself, a Quitline can become the hub of a statewide network of cessation resources. Many Quitlines provide resource listings of local group cessation programs to all callers. Some even connect them directly to other services.s gateways to other treatment options. In this way, besides providing counseling itself, a Quitline can become the hub of a statewide network of cessation resources. Many Quitlines provide resource listings of local group cessation programs to all callers. Some even connect them directly to other services.