Nuts and Bolts #5 Case Statement

2 Developing a Case Statement for a School-Based Health Center

What is a Case Statement? A concise document A concise document Expresses: Expresses: –the need you seek to meet –How you have and plan to meet that need –What you could achieve with additional resources

Two types of Case Statements Internal: Internal: –More comprehensive 5-10 pages –Details mission, vision, history, and reason for seeking additional resources External External –Taken from Internal document and tailored to particular audience –Usually one page –For letters, proposals, speeches, brochures

Why Write a Case Statement? Conveys a consistent message to board members, volunteers and funders Conveys a consistent message to board members, volunteers and funders Is usable as ‘boiler plate’ material for: Is usable as ‘boiler plate’ material for: –Public speaking –Educational materials development –Working with the press –Securing funding

6 Case Statement Content Purpose Purpose –What you propose to do / what are you seeking funding for –Summary of needs assessment findings –Partners/collaborators and their contributors

7 Case Statement Content Service design Service design –Model –Services –Staffing –Hours of operation –Parent, student, and school staff involvement –Community, collaborator/partner involvement

8 Case Statement Content Current project support /infrastructure Current project support /infrastructure –Sponsoring organizations –Health center planning group activities –In-kind contributions of partners/collaborators –Implementation grant possibilities Proposed budget Proposed budget

Case Statements Keep various editions/types in a file for easy access Keep various editions/types in a file for easy access Use them in brochures, on line, and have them ready for use in future publications, letters, or requests Use them in brochures, on line, and have them ready for use in future publications, letters, or requests Keep them current and looking good Keep them current and looking good

What does it take to write a Case Statement? Use of (or development of ) organizational pieces such as mission, vision, strategic plan, history, etc describing who you are Use of (or development of ) organizational pieces such as mission, vision, strategic plan, history, etc describing who you are Clarity on what you are going to do and what resources you need Clarity on what you are going to do and what resources you need AND AND TIME – do it right, update it and tailor it along the way TIME – do it right, update it and tailor it along the way