Liberty City Stakeholders & the Miami Children’s Initiative

Jeffrey Swain, JD, PhD

Florida Memorial University

Dr. Benjamin E. Mays“It must be borne in mind that the

tragedy in life does not lie in not reaching your goals. The tragedy lies in having no goals to teach. It isn’t a calamity to die with dreams unfulfilled but it is a calamity not to dream. It is not a disgrace not to reach the stars but it is a disgrace to have not stars to reach for. Not failure but low aim is sin.”

The Collaborative Table

Objectives

Define the Collaborative Table

Clarify the Work of the Collaborative

Collaborative TableA Collaborative Table is a meeting place where equal partners with a shared understanding build, maintain and improve a comprehensive, efficient service delivery system.

Key WordsMeeting Place(Table) – Communication and

Consensus

Equal Partners – Community Stakeholders

Shared Understanding (Agree) - Values, Goals, Data

Build/Maintain/Improve – Continuous Development

Efficient/Comprehensive Service Delivery System -Cradle to College

Work at the Table1. Agree on a Common Mission2. Maintain Continuous Open Communication3. Agree to Speak with One Voice4. Define Roles and Responsibilities5. Create Accountability 6. Collect and Disaggregate Data7. Set Priorities for the Community Served8. Identify “Champions” (Team Leaders)9. Strive for Continuous Improvement10. Seek Multi-Year Funding 11. Create a System of Care

Common AgreementWhile every stakeholder has its own mission,

the Collaborative can have but one Common Agreement/Shared Understanding. Every stakeholder must fully accept the mission of the Collaborative.

Mission Example: The Collaborative will create an efficient, comprehensive service delivery network that will assist parents in supporting, developing and educating children from the cradle to college.

Continuous Open CommunicationOrganizations constantly undervalue the

need for open communication. Communication builds trust and provides a framework for problem-solving. Usually when groups fracture, it begins with a breakdown in communication and stakeholders take desperate action to be heard. Therefore, there must be constant dialogue between MCI, the Collaborative, stakeholders, the community and funders.

One Voice

We have to agree that the Collaborative itself will speak for all of us. Each stakeholder has a leader who has been ‘the voice’ of that organization but when the Collaborative speaks, it must speak for everyone in all matters and all times – no exceptions.

One Voice You must grant the Collaborative leaders that

power to speak for Liberty City.

We may disagree at the Table but we must ultimately reach consensus and speak as one in public.

Roles and ResponsibilitiesThis is our governance component that

defines who sits around the table to lead our efforts.

What is the role of each participant (Chair, C0-Chair, Team Leaders, Stakeholders, Data Manager)?

What are their responsibilities (duties) and their limits?

Accountability simply refers to who is responsible for taking action or who is liable if nothing is done. When roles are defined, accountability is created when partners know who is to be held responsible for the progress of agreed upon goals.

Accountability

Data Collection & AnalysisIn order to improve, attract funding sources

and grow, there must be a continuous flow of quantitative information to the Collaborative so that it can speak to the state of services in the community. Disaggregation allows you to look at subgroups (males v. females, adults v. children, educational levels, services, etc.)

Data shows: (1) organizational capacity, (2) effectiveness, (3) types of resources available , (4) gaps and duplication of services) and(5) needs for improvement.

Data Collection & AnalysisData has two primary

uses:

Internally, data is used to evaluate and assess effectiveness.

Externally, data is used to demonstrate effectiveness and attract support (funding).

Official Name__________________________________Official Address__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Principle Contact (s)____________________________Address______________________________________Telephone(s)__________________________________Email________________________________________

Primary Mission:____________________________________________________________________________

Community Served (boundaries, if know)__________________________________________________________________________________________

Years of Operation/Experience (Check 1)0-5__________ 6-10_________11-15________ 15-20________20 or more (specify) ______Months of Operation ______to _____Daily Hours of Operation_____ to____

Total Staff _______Administrator(s)_____ Clerical_____Counselors________ Mentors____Other (explain)_____

Educational Levels of Staff

K-12: k-5_____ 6-8_______ 9-12________

College: Fr____ Sph_____ Jr_____ Sr_____

Total Number of ParticipantsAdults_____________ Children____________Male______________ Female_____________0-5______ 6-10_____ 10-14____ 14-18____ 18 and older_____

Educational Levels of Participants (Indicate # in each category).

K-12: k-5_____ 6-8_______ 9-12________

College: Fr____ Sph_____ Jr_____ Sr_____

Total Annual Funding $__________.00Name________________ $__________.00Name________________ $__________.00Name________________ $__________.00 Name________________ $__________.00

Community PrioritiesWhat are you trying to accomplish together? The

Collaborative must have some guiding principles.Children are our community’s most important resource.

We are all leaders and will allow leadership to be shared for the greater good.

Parents must be fully supported in their efforts to rear healthy, happy, hopeful children.

We will not allow pride or personal interests to interfere with our work.  Egos are not more important than effort.

We are the village responsible for the children’s welfare, growth, education and development from cradle to career.

The children of liberty City must be given the best educational opportunities possible.

We will design an improved service delivery system in Liberty City to better serve the needs of residents. That system must outlive us all.

The spiritual, emotional, psychological and mental health of families is a vital asset.

Every member of the Collaborative is part of our intellect capital and brings to the group valuable knowledge, intellect, love and services that are vital to the mission of uplifting children from cradle to career.

Agree that we will partner and collaborate with all political, funding and other resources (especially the Miami Children’s Initiative) available to make the Collaborative a success.

ChampionsThese are the Team or Action Network

Leaders who come to the table to speaker for their respective groups.

Spiritual

Resources

Health Services

Resources

Job, Economic,Entrepreneurial

Resources

Parent

ResourcesFunding

Resources

Early Childhood

Resources

EducationalResources

Financial Literacy,

Training, Skill Resources

Parent-Child

AdvocateResources

Data CollectionResources

Continuous Quality ImprovementData collection and analysis requires that all

aspects of the Collaborative be continuously evaluated and improved according to the information available. Evaluation should be an objective process such that a true impression of the state of the Collaborative and its effectiveness is there for discussion. Funding sources expect self-analysis by objective means. Getting better is an ongoing or continuous process.

FundingOne of the primary objectives of the

Collaborative is to be able to speak confidently to funders and have qualitative data that is reliable. Funders want to invest where success is likely but they expect results for their money. Only organizations that can quantitatively prove their capacity to get results will be considered. Funding should be sought collectively.

The ModelThe Community Level

Children and Parents of Liberty City

Stakeholder LevelService Providers of Liberty City

Spiritual

Resources

Health Services

Resources

Job, Economic,Entrepreneurial

Resources

Parent

ResourcesFunding

Resources

Early Childhood

Resources

Financial Literacy

Resources

Training

Resources

Parent-Child

AdvocateResources

Public EducationResources

LeadersThe hip LevelThe Collaborative Level

Support/Training Level Miami Children’s Initiative

The Progression This will take time. It can only be done well if it is done slowly and methodically. Everything built to last took a long time to build.