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The CBCAP legislation, specifies that each designated State Lead Agency (SLA) emphasize the support of community-based efforts to develop, operate, expand, enhance, and where appropriate, network, initiatives aimed at the prevention of child abuse and neglect, and to support networks of coordinated resources and activities to better strengthen and support families to reduce the likelihood of child abuse and neglect. The lead agency’s role in maintaining and supporting the prevention network in the State is considered a critically important function. The legislation includes provisions requiring that lead agencies have the capacity to support community-based and prevention-focused programs and activities that (1) are based on State and community interagency partnerships, and (2) are implemented through an interdisciplinary, collaborative public-private structure that includes parents as full partners. The most effective way to meet the challenge of preventing child abuse and neglect is for all child abuse prevention and treatment programs, public and private, to work together in partnership with families and other disciplines such as social services, health and mental health, education, law enforcement and other advocacy groups in the community to achieve their common goals. The CBCAP grantees are in a unique position of leadership as they assume responsibility for directing, leading and evaluating the network of public-private partnerships and the continuum of preventive services for children and families in their States. Our children’s safety and well-being will be best ensured when Federal, State, and faith-based and community agencies collaborate to better coordinate programs and services and be responsive to the needs of all families. CBCAP State Lead Agencies are responsible for the leadership around networks of coordinated resources that will integrate existing services to address unmet needs that have been identified in the State. There are a range of programs that CBCAP may want to coordinate and integrate as part of their prevention network. Given the limited funding available for prevention services, lead agencies are strongly encouraged to find ways to partner with other public and private organizations serving the same populations and sharing the same goals and objectives. The examples of programs are not meant to be all-inclusive. A strategic plan for the development of a network of prevention and family support programs should include existing child welfare, education, vocational rehabilitation, disability, health, mental health, job readiness, self-sufficiency, child and family development, community action, juvenile justice, domestic violence prevention, youth development, teen pregnancy prevention, housing, faith- and community-based programs, fatherhood and healthy marriage programs, and other human service organizations within the State. Purpose of the Network Self Assessment Tool The Network Self Assessment Tool is designed to assist State Lead Agencies (SLA) in assessing their current local and/or regional network capacity. The tool, to be used as a guide, is intended for a team of network members to use in 1) establishing local or regional networks and 2) reviewing their current work by identifying network strengths as well as areas needing improvement. It includes four sections: 1) Network Development, 2) Assessing Needs and Assets, 3) Training/Technical Assistance and 4) Public/Community Awareness and Education. To download the tool, click here. How to Use the Network Self Assessment Tool The FRIENDS Network Self Assessment Tool can help guide a discussion about the current effectiveness of a child abuse prevention network. This group discussion ideally should include a small group (6-10) of network members that include board members, staff, volunteers, parent leaders and service recipients, but could be used as a self-assessment tool by anyone associated with the network. First, review the assessment form and decide which sections of the form you will assess. Then, check the areas that have been completed or accomplished and rate them on a scale of 1-5 (5 - occurs consistently to 1-does not occur). It is your perception of the network. There are no right or wrong answers. In using with a group, each individual should complete the assessment tool. After allowing adequate time, compare responses and discuss any areas where there were different perceptions. As a final step, identify the top priorities where there was a high level of consensus on an area needing improvement. Then, have each individual select their top priorities and then tally the "votes" for the group to identify the top five. Begin developing an action plan that would address these issues. After successfully implementing your action plans that address your top priorities, revisit your assessment tool and begin developing action plans for the other areas that need attention. The same process can be used with a group in establishing a network. You will just use the sections as a guide for areas to include in the network development. To download the tool, click here. Acknowledgment A special thanks to the CBCAP State Lead Agency workgroup members who provided input and feedback on the development of the tool. Kristin Fairholm – Iowa, Donna Pincavage – NJ, Hilda Green – VT, Annette Harrod – KY, Jill Larimore – IN, Susan Phillips - GA Thanks also to Melissa Lim Brodowski, ACF Project Officer for her guidance and comments. |
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