Skill Lab: Program Sustainability: Assessment Tools & Planning Strategies

1 unit

The term sustainability - and the importance of sustainability - is often referenced regarding human services work. But it's often not clear what kind of sustainability is meant and what program leaders can do to improve the sustainability of the vital services they provide. This course introduces participants to a holistic Program Sustainability framework with eight domains: (1) Environmental Support, (2) Funding Stability, (3) Partnerships, (4) Organizational Capacity, (5) Evaluation, (6) Program Adaptation, (7) Communications, (8) Strategic Planning. Evidence shows that each of these dimensions is critical to public health and social service programs' long term capacity to operate and deliver on their missions. Participants will build their understanding of the framework, use the Program Sustainability Assessment Tool to assess a program of interest, and learn strategies for using the tool in group/organizational settings. Assessment results will be used to identify program strengths and determine key strategic areas for action. Participants will leverage this information to build a program sustainability action plan.