To download a hard copy version of the Prevention Planning Capacity Assessment Tool, please click here.
In order to complete the Prevention Planning Capacity Assessment Tool, Title IV-E agencies, other public organizations, and community partners should consider the following:WHY should the Prevention Planning Capacity Assessment Tool be completed?
Title IV-E agencies, other public organizations, and community partners are encouraged to complete this tool in order to determine motivation for change and readiness for embarking upon comprehensive prevention planning. The tool is intended to facilitate conversations about buy-in and capacity of all partners to contribute to a comprehensive prevention plan in your community. Submitting this tool to your CDSS Consultant will help identify resources and technical assistance needed to build capacity and encourage cross-sector collaboration.
WHO should participate in completion of the Prevention Planning Capacity Assessment Tool?
This tool is designed to be used by Title IV-E agencies, other public organizations, and community partners who are responsible for overseeing and guiding their community’s efforts to create a comprehensive prevention plan.
The tool should be completed by cross-sector agencies and stakeholder groups (e.g., Title IV-E agencies, public health, behavioral health, office of education, First 5, tribal organizations, community-based organizations providing direct evidence-based services, youth, parents, and caregivers with lived experience, etc.) who will be involved with comprehensive planning and implementation.
WHEN should Title IV-E agencies, other public organizations and community partners use the Prevention Planning Capacity Assessment Tool?
Title IV-E agencies, other public organizations, and community partners are encouraged to complete the tool to assist with determining the capacity of all prevention partners before opting into the State Family First Prevention Services (FFPS) Program Block Grant (as referenced in Welfare and Institutions Code section 16588) and Title IV-E funds of the Family First Prevention Services Act (Public Law 115-123).
HOW should the tool be administered?
Before administering the tool, designated leads must clearly communicate the purpose of the tool and how it will be used. They may share the “Change and Implementation in Practice: Readiness” brief created by the Capacity Center for States to orient others to basic concepts of readiness. They must remind participants of the importance of a candid examination of readiness so that resources can be directed appropriately to build motivation and capacity to prepare Title IV-E agencies, other public organizations, and community partners for successful implementation efforts.
Title IV-E agencies, other public organizations, and community partners must collectively complete the tool and rate their extent of readiness. Participants may be requested to complete the tool individually, and then tally responses to inform a collective response. Title IV-E agencies, other public organizations, and community partners may find it useful to identify one participant to serve as a facilitator for group discussions and help the group come to consensus in rating the various items.
To rate items, Title IV-E agencies, other public organizations, and community partners will need to consider existing sources of information and county data, such as information collected for the County Self-Assessment, prevention planning efforts and whether they need additional information or data (e.g., from surveys, focus groups, or use of other tools). When necessary, collecting additional data may extend the time involved in the assessment process; however, doing so will better inform and shape decisions for moving forward.
Participants are encouraged to use the column marked “Notes/Rationale” to briefly document information or data used to support the rating selection for each item. Title IV-E agencies, other public organizations, and community partners may also note strengths or challenges for that item, outstanding questions, as well as include related attachments.
use of findings
Title IV-E agencies other public organizations, and community partners must use findings from the assessment to develop a collective, broad understanding of the county or tribe’s readiness for change and implementation and to identify areas for improvement. It is unlikely Title IV-E agencies, other public organizations and community partners will be ready for change and comprehensive planning in all areas. Items rated “emerging” or “absent/missing” may point to areas where there is a need to develop motivation or capacity to improve readiness for comprehensive prevention planning. Upon completion of the Prevention Planning Capacity Assessment Tool, participants are encouraged to reflect on the assessment findings and identify next steps. Title IV-E agencies, other public organizations, and community partners must summarize the key assessment findings and highlight the following:
- Strengths – these facilitators of change and implementation may include items marked “established” or aspects of those marked “emerging.”
- Areas to develop – these may include items marked “absent or missing” or aspects of those marked “emerging,” which may require capacity building to enhance readiness.
- Key challenges – these barriers or constraints are likely to impact the Title IV-E agencies, other public agencies and community partners’ ability to effectively advance change and implementation processes.
- Strategies – these approaches help to address areas for further development and overcome identified challenges.
- Priorities – these areas are most important to address in the early stages of planning and during implementation. This information will inform implementation planning and capacity building.
For assistance with using this tool, contact your CDSS County Consultant. After the tool is submitted, CDSS can refer Title IV-E agencies, other public organizations, community partners, and subject matter experts for further technical assistance.