COMMUNITY SOLUTIONS FACILITATION

nationally certified strategic management-consulting firm specializing in the provision of Community Solutions Facilitation services to support development and implementation of agency goals for government and community institutions Kevin E Fields, Sr, a graduate of Western Kentucky University and University of Louisville with degrees in areas of civil engineering and urban planning, founded UTI Mr Fields brings two decades of progressive professional experience to add tremendous capacity and value to project planning and development initiatives The extensive career track of its principle has enabled UTI to establish relations with a broad network of organizations at the community, local, state and federal government levels The knowledge base, background and work ethic of UTI makes us a strong catalyst for building relations between the economy and the community Community Solutions Facilitation (CFS) CSF is the provision of process leadership through the convergence of technology, innovation and human resources for the development of public and private sector community initiatives CSF focuses on resolving complex and pressing urban issues necessary for helping communities become stronger socially and economically Areas of focus for CSF include issues related to computer technology, community revitalization, municipal construction, community organizing, education, workforce development, crime prevention, and effective delivery of social services CSF supports initiatives that address social and economic need within the urban community Capabilities of this service include strategic design and implementation of community need assessments, research and development activities, group facilitation, project planning and information management CSF delivers professional documentation of relevant inputs, outputs and outcomes CSF is designed as a 10-point, community-oriented strategic management process that supports the social and economic empowerment of urban communities, on behalf of service organizations and government agencies A description of the CSF process is outlined below-- 1 Initiation and Assessment § The Initiation and Assessment phase begins with a review of the vision, mission, goals and objectives of the client organization as articulated by its current leadership § A project management oversight team consisting of key personnel and community members is established to assist with steering the development process of the project § A review of client organization structure is conducted to examine existing resource deployment, policy and procedure, status of current programs, staff input, historical trends, uses of technology and other key issues 2 Data Collection § Pertinent project related data is collected to draw a profile of baseline conditions, examine significant relevant issues and gauge community perception All data is managed to assure integrity and appropriate confidentiality All collected data is managed to be transferable to the client in electronic formats for future uses in relational databases or for analytical purposes 3 Research § Appropriate research methodologies, such as field surveys, focus groups, stakeholder interviews and literature reviews, are conducted to enable a thoroughly represented perspective on relevant issues § Local community citizens and neighborhood groups are engaged to assess issues of relevant concern 4 Data Analysis § An analysis of all research and data collection activities is conducted to provide quantitative and qualitative perspective on relevant issues, past program performance and future potentials § A composite report is prepared to contain and represent the results of all research findings 5 Design and Development § Inputs from the initiation, assessment, research and analysis activities are used to formulate specific approaches and focus for the project § Development and Design activities are managed to incorporate multiple community sector involvement into the recommended community solution 6 Goal and Objectives § Facilitation activities of the Design and Development phase take place to create measurable goals and objectives for the specific project § Goals and objectives are formulated to be attainable within the context of practical procedure and constraints of the client and the community, while working to address community concern and improve conditions for relevant stakeholders § Recommendations for project goals and objectives are reviewed and approved by the project management oversight team and/or the client's chief executive body 7 Strategy Development § Once goals and objectives are developed, a detailed strategy is clearly formulated, with specific resources and community alliances defined, to enable an efficient commencement of project implementation activities § Development of implementation strategy may involve assisting clients to develop any new relevant policy, procedure or regulation to assure long-term viability of the project's vision, within the client organization and the community § All pertinent laws, rules, policy, procedure and practices are consulted to assure feasibility of strategy recommendations § Once necessary project implementation resource commitments are developed, a specific plan of action, including milestone time constraints is established 8 Implementation § Implementation of the project's detailed strategy begins with mobilization of pertinent resources necessary to accomplish the goals and objectives of the project Execution of formal partnership agreements, contracts, and/or memoranda of understanding are processed 9 Project Management § Management and operations of the project is directed to maintain accountability and assure accomplishment of milestones and deliverables within the allotted timeline of the project 10 Infrastructure and Resources § All direct and indirect project management resources are positioned together to create a specific infrastructure to yield desired outcomes that are measured, evaluated and reassessed § An appropriate communications process is developed and managed to maintain an effective project dialogue and keep all key stakeholders updated on significant project related activities § Necessary and appropriate project documentation is maintained to account for resource utilization and report actual accomplishment toward project goals As an option, an electronic information system is established to provide long-term management and tracking project related data § Successful implementation of project goals and objectives result in an improved quality of life for community citizens and a strengthening of effective public policy on the specific project issue