Beyond Funding: Sustainability Strategies for LongTerm Success

1
Beyond Funding Sustainability Strategies for
Long-Term Success

• Scott Thomas, PhD
• Deborah Zahn, MPH
• October 8, 2009
• Virginia Tobacco Settlement Foundation
• 8th Annual Grantee Training Conference
• Richmond, Virginia

2
Sustainability

• When new ways of working and improved outcomes
  become the norm.
• New ways of working
• Improved outcomes
• Normalized
• Sustainability Model and Guide NHS
  Institute for Innovation and Improvement

3
Overview of Sustainability

• This framework addresses the sustainability of
  program/project activities and resultsnot
  organizational sustainability
• There is much overlap
• Sustainability is one of the primary ways by
  which we should make decisions on design,
  implementation, and evaluation
• Future funding should not be the sole or main
  focus of a sustainability plan

4
Overview - 2

• Multiple factors framework
• Provides a menu of optionsnot a to do list
• Focusing on 2 - 4 factors will strengthen
  sustainability
• Funding is just one of many factors
• Factors can be used to strengthen one another
  (e.g., Feedback and Perceived Value)
• Most factors have subsets e.g., Perceived Value
  can refer to clients, providers, or community

5
Sustainability Factors

• Perceived value acknowledged value by
  individuals and groups affected by the new ways
  of working and improved outcomes
• Monitoring / Feedback monitoring is conducted
  on a regular basis and feedback is shared in
  easy-to-understand formats
• Leadership the degree to which leaders
  (decision-makers and champions) continue to be
  actively engaged

6
Sustainability Factors - 2

• Staff staff have the skills, confidence, and
  interest in continuing the new ways of working
• Shared Models continued use of a shared model
  among those involved in new ways of working
  (e.g., 5As) or processes (e.g.,
  Plan-Do-Study-Act)
• Organizational infrastructure degree to which
  internal resources, job descriptions, systems,
  business model, etc., support the new ways of
  working

7
Sustainability Factors - 3

• Organizational fit degree to which the new ways
  of working match the organizations overall goal
  and operations
• Community fit degree to which the new ways of
  working match the communities interests, needs,
  and ability to take part in activities provided
• Partners involvement of partners who actively
  support new ways of working

8
Sustainability Factors - 4

• Spread expansion to additional locations or
  populations (e.g., departments, clinics,
  communities)
• Funding funding beyond original grant period
• Government policy degree to which new ways of
  working are supported by governmental policies

9
Assessing Sustainability

• From quick and easy to comprehensive
• Informant interviews (staff, clients, community
  members)
• Surveys (staff, clients, outside agencies)
• Data collection (chart reviews, enrollment
  numbers)
• Assessment tool

10
Planning for Sustainability

• Distinct sustainability conversations and
  planning sessions
• Staff dedicated to sustainability activities
• Use of a sustainability framework
• Planning tool

11
Resources

• Factors Contributing to Sustaining and Spreading
  Learning Collaborative Improvements. Primary
  Care Development Corporation. 2007.
  www.pcdcny.org/resources/cmfstudy
• National State Strengthening Program
  Sustainability Study. Marek, L.I., Mancini, J.A.,
  Brock, D.J. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and
  State University. 2003 http//ag.arizona.edu/fcs
  /cyfernet/evaluation/StSt_final_10-27-03.pdf
• Reflections on Sustainability Assessing the
  Long-Term Impact of Three TCWF Initiatives. The
  California Wellness Foundation. 2006.
  www.tcwf.org/publications/reflections

12
Resources - 2

• Sustainability Model and Guide. NHS Institute
  for Innovation and Improvement. 2007.
  www.institute.nhs.uk/building_capability/new_metho
  ds,_tools_and_approaches_.../introducing_sustainab
  ility
• Sustainability Toolkit 10 Steps to Maintaining
  Your Community Improvements. Center for Civic
  Partnerships, Public Health Institute. 2001.
  Order form at Sustainability Toolkit or call
  916-646- 8680. www.civicpartnerships.org/docs/tool
  s_resources/sustainability
• Sustaining Comprehensive Community Initiatives
  Key elements for success. The Finance Project.
  2002. www.financeprojectinfo.org/Publications/sus
  taining

13

• Scott Thomas, PhD
• beltane555_at_yahoo.com
• 917-658-0988
• Please do not distribute slides outside of your
  agency
• without prior permission from the authors.
• Thank you.