search
Center for Civic Partnerships
Home Center Information Services Publications Tools and Resources Funding Sources Calendar Contact Us
 

Organizational Learning and Evaluation

The Center for Civic Partnerships is a support organization that strengthens individuals, organizations, and communities by facilitating learning, leadership development, and networking. The Center has a proven track record of providing intensive technical support, training and consultation services (including one-on-one consultation, site visits and group facilitation) in over100 organizations, collaboratives, cities and communities throughout the country. Those communities include rural, suburban and urban areas and are ethnically and economically diverse. The Center provides a variety of services to help groups plan, implement, evaluate and sustain community improvements.

The Program

The goal of the Organizational Learning and Evaluation (OLE) program is to enhance the capacity for organizational and evaluative learning among grantee organizations of The California Wellness Foundation (TCWF).  The OLE program has two major components – a series of educational offerings for TCWF grantees, and a technical support component which will provide more in-depth and tailored support to a smaller group of grantee organizations.  

Educational Offerings

Two one-day conferences will be held – the first in Northern California in May 2006 and the second in Southern California in May 2007.  Attendance will be by invitation only.  Priority will be given to executive directors and key managers of grantee

organizations.  The conference agenda will include a keynote presentation and interactive breakout sessions.  Conference themes will focus on emerging best practices, practical applications and long-term capacity-building.

Technical Support Methods

Participant Recruitment and Selection
Participation in the technical support component of the Organizational Learning and Evaluation program is voluntary and confidential. Up to five organizations are selected to participate each year in two cycles beginning each August in 2006 and 2007. Eligible organizations include all organizations funded by TCWF that have at least one year left on their grant at the application deadline (June 2006 for the first cycle). Participants are selected through an application process which will focus on applicant’s interest and capacity to participate in a technical support program focused on organizational learning and evaluation.

Assessment and Plan Development
Each selected organization participates in an assessment phase, which includes completing a readiness assessment tool, staff review of organizational materials and/or face-to-face interviews. This assessment focuses on identifying the organization’s priority areas to be addressed within the OLE program. Staff members work with the participants to develop a tailored technical support plan.

Individualized Support
The Center staff members provide direct, customized support to organizations through ongoing, confidential

  • Site visits
  • Telephone support
  • E-mail support
  • Brokering
  • Dissemination of resource materials

Participants will receive additional in-depth consultation from a content expert as needed. Center staff also act as a brokers to identify additional technical support resources and peer assistance as necessary.

Peer Support
The Center facilitates peer exchange and support among the participating grantees. This includes:

  • A 1½-day Executive Director Retreat (financial assistance for travel available based on need)
  • One regional or topic-specific convening
  • A listserv (e-mail discussion group) hosted by the Center
  • Connecting current and past participants based on relevant issues and experiences

Mini-Grants
Mini grants ($6,000 each) are available to participants to secure organizational learning and evaluation resources.

Sustainability Toolkit and Facilitation
Each participating organization also receives a complimentary copy of the Sustainability Toolkit: 10 Steps to Maintaining Your Community Improvements. This user-friendly publication, developed by the Center, is designed to help organizations decide which of their current efforts they should maintain and determine how to continue them. Staff works with each executive director to help identify how s/he can use the tools within his/her organization and to facilitate one on-site sustainability session, if appropriate.

Program Partners

Group Health Community Foundation (GHCF) in Seattle, WA is a national leader in the evaluation of community-based health promotion programs.  GHCF will conduct an overall evaluation of the OLE program and will provide consultation and recommendations to Center staff.

LaFrance Associates, LLC (LFA) is a San Francisco-based national consulting group with significant expertise in evaluation design and analysis with an orientation towards capacity-building.  LFA will provide in-depth consultation to OLE participants.

Organizational Learning and Evaluation is a program of the Center for Civic Partnerships. For more information on the Center and its other programs, please contact us at:
1851 Heritage Lane, Suite 250
Sacramento, CA  95815
(916) 646-8680
ccp@civicpartnerships.org

For information on our parent organization, the Public Health Institute, visit their website at www.phi.org or call (510) 285-5500.

Back to top