Program Sustainability Assessing Efforts and Developing Action Steps

Program Sustainability Assessing Efforts and Developing Action Steps Presenters: Lura Lunkenheimer, President of Peaceful Schools and Afterschool Specialist for the Western Region of the 21 st CCLC Rest of State Resource Center Joanna Thompson, WNY Regional Coordinator of Peaceful Schools and Afterschool Specialist for the Western Region of the 21 st CCLC Rest of State Resource Center Program sustainability requires a focused multi-prong strategy that includes program visibility, funding stability, and program quality.

Vision without action … is merely a dream Action without vision … just passes the time Vision with Action… Can Change the World Quote Credits: Japanese Proverb Nelson Mandela Joel Baker

Goal of our time • Briefly discuss the multiple components of sustainability • Introduce a set of tools available for FREE on-line to help support sustainability planning • • Walk through the materials and resources being provided Complete a portion of the Program Sustainability Assessment Tool Complete the companion Action Plan Debrief and discuss the tool and its application • Complete feedback/evaluation of our time

Which came first…. . Policy Funding Political Support Visibility Public Need

Policy Visibility Political Support Funding Active Leadership Team Continuous Strategic Planning Clear Mission & Vision High Quality Program Staff Youth Development Expertise Data Based Decision Making Continuous Improvement Informed by Frontline Stakeholders Students-Parents-School/Community Leadership-Frontline Staff

Program Visibility • Student representatives / ambassadors of the program • Connections with school day staff • Social Media and Local Media outlets • Mayor’s office, local elected officials

Policy • Federal and State Regulations • NYS OCFS and SACC Certification • Federal and State Budgets • Every Student Achieves Act (Reauthorization of NCLB) • 21 st CCLC • Advantage • ESD/SVP

Political Support • Energize your base: Parents/Educators/Students • Local and Statewide & National Advocacy Groups • Know your elected officials and educate them about how the funds you receive are used. Send photos and share out program successes and challenges. • Local/State and Federal Elected officials

Funding Stability • Know your expenses • Know your funding streams • When are funds allocated and planned to sunset

Program Quality • Solid foundation to the program • Highly qualified, dedicated staff • Realistic Program schedule • Relationship building • Measurable outcomes

QSA Tool vs. Evaluation QSA Tool: Formal Evaluation: • Provides structure for internal dialogues around outcomes and quality. • Completed by an external evaluator • Strengthens communication between stakeholders. • Helps build a collective vision. • Uses formal and informal data gathered to inform practice and build capacity. • Is typically facilitated by site coordinator, site staff and/or other stakeholders. • A formal approach to assessing programs to determine what outcomes are being achieved • Gathers data based on goals of the original proposal and the goals/objectives and measures established for accountability and compliance. • Is used by NYSED as an indicator of program effectiveness

Program Sustainability Assessment Tool 1. Prepare and assess your program. 2. Develop an Action Plan. 3. Take action.

Action Planning based on the Program Sustainability Assessment Tool developed by The Center for Public Health Systems Science and the George Warren brown School of Social Work • What is Program Sustainability Capacity? - the ability to maintain programming and its benefits over time • What is the Purpose of this Tool? - helps you assess your own program’s current capacity for sustainability. You will be able to identify strengths and weaknesses and use your results to help guide your sustainability action plan. Now, it’s your turn! file: ///C: /Users/Joanna/App. Data/Local/Microsoft/Windows/INet. Cache/Content. Outlook/YYLXC 2 I 5/Sustainability %20 Tool. V 2_w%20 scoring_12. 11. 13%20(002). pdf