Coalition Strategic Plan
Mission
To maximize the capacity, effectiveness and cultural uniqueness of the child, youth and family services system through collective efforts.
Guiding Principles
The Coalition is not an organization in itself but rather a multi-sectoral collaborative structure to enable its member organizations to work better together on mutual goals with children, youth and families. We believe that as service providers engaged in integrated service delivery
- We have a shared responsibility for all children, youth and families
- Our work should be in the best interests of and build on the existing strengths of our clients
- We should develop integrated strategies for children, youth & families with multiple needs
- It is important that our work involves whenever possible the active participation of our clients in the planning, development, implementation and evaluation of programs (child, youth, family engagement)
- Our service delivery practices should be evidence-based and reflect the demographic characteristics (ethnic, linguistic, socio-economic by geography) of Simcoe County.
Role of the Coalition
The Coalition exists to help coordinate the work of its members, to identify areas for realignment, and to create an integrated, effective service delivery system for children youth and families in Simcoe County. It establishes a limited number of focused goals that receive the majority of proactive Coalition resources for a 2-3 year period and expects its members will assist in these efforts within their own organizations where possible. The Coalition acts as a planning forum for new funding, and in the event of closing or start up of programs. The Coalition also reviews existing programs and identifies areas for realignment of resources for more effective future outcomes.
Strategic Planning Process
This is a proposed 2-3 year strategic plan to guide Coalition work. Based on input at the May 26 2008 Planning Day, there are three areas that have been identified as top priority areas for the Coalition over this period:
3 Top Priority Goal Areas - Basic Needs under the Positive Child and Youth Development outcome area;
- Access to Adequate Resources under Strong Nurturing Families; and
- A Strong Sense of Belonging/Inclusiveness of all Members under Caring Communities and Systems.
The 3 Priority Goal Areas provide a way for the Coalition to focus its major creative energy for a specific time period on a limited number of areas, to develop succinct Goals with Indicators and Measures that support each Goal, and to help guide allocation of resources (staff, funding). These priority areas would be likely subjects for additional funding proposals, possible new partnerships, and may help in the review of areas for realignment. Action Steps and Indicators will be refined and tasks delegated with timelines as the plan develops. Measures will be determined and added in the far right column once systems are in place to collect the data.
Existing Coalition Initiatives (see Additional Goals)
Work is already underway and will continue in other areas mentioned in the plan. The Coalition’s Planning Table manages these projects to ensure alignment with the Strategic Plan. Gradually the Additional Goals will be better defined and Indicators developed for each one, based on input from member organizations. If funding and partnership opportunities present themselves, the Coalition may consider activities in these areas.
Uses of the Plan
The Planning Table will assess current Coalition projects against the plan, showing how they align with each of the Goals. Gaps and duplication will be identified during this assessment and recommendations for re-alignment of resources may be made to Coalition Council. In addition, the Planning Table will guide the development of additional priority area projects to the point of implementation. At that time the Coalition Coordinator will continue to monitor project progress and ensure reporting to Council. Projects in implementation phase may also be asked to present directly to the Council for updating purposes. A way should be devised for determining when a project is no longer “a Coalition project” but has moved to the status of an on-going program.
New project proposals will be assessed during this period for their potential alignment with Coalition Goals. Top priority will be given to those proposals with the closest alignment. Once adopted, this plan will reflect the basic priorities of the Coalition for the 2-3 year period, but is subject to annual review and revision.
The Strategic Plan will help the Coalition Council determine annual budgets, direct and monitor staff, and develop funding strategies. It should help shape the work of the Planning Table, suggest priority areas for the work of the Infrastructure Table and Secretariat, and create a framework for the Coalition Council which will be instrumental in developing and revising the plan.