1. Lead Agency Viability Assessment Consistent with OPPAGA Report 04-65, DCF contracted with FMHI to assist in the design and implementation of a centralized and coordinated system to assess lead agency viability. Purpose: To provide early warning of potential Lead Agency conditions that may affect their long-term viability and guide decision makers in determining the need for further review beginning at the local level. The viability assessment process compiles data already collected through various review, monitoring, and data collection mechanisms and is not intended to replace or substitute for any of these mechanisms.

2. What do we mean by Lead Agency Viability? Status of an organization whereby conditions that promote sustainability, growth, and acceptable performance are present. Viability is based on a comparison of these measurable conditions against generally accepted benchmarks.

3. Definitions Standard: A standard establishes the basis by which an indicator is determined to be a relevant measure in assessing an organization’s performance, structure, or other conditions, and supports establishment of benchmarks. Benchmark: A comparison measure established through one or more of the following: statutory requirement, contractual requirement, COA standard, or industry standard.

4. Research & Development Process An extensive search of the literature was conducted. Council on Accreditation organization and management standards establish and support most viability Indicators.

5. Other Sources of Standards Other standards derive from: Florida Statutes CBC Readiness Assessment Criteria CBC Final Services Contract Template CWLA Standards of Excellence QWICA U.S. Census Bureau Quarterly Workforce Indicators

6. Research and Development Regional meetings held to obtain stakeholder feedback to assist in the development process (January and March 2005). The initial assessment tool and profile summary were presented in January 2005 at the CBC Transition Issues/Legislation Meeting in Tallahassee. Participants: DCF headquarters/zone staff, Legislative Committee staff, CBC leadership, OPPAGA, Auditor General’s Office. Resulting feedback provided guidance for finaliztion of assessment scale on Viability Assessment Tool and definition of viability and viability process.

7. Research & Development A further revised tool and summary were presented in March 2005 at the regional meeting in Orlando. Participants: DCF zone/district staff, various CBC leadership/administrative staff, OPPAGA, Auditor General’s Office, Community Alliance members.

8. Research & Development Based on feedback from participants, the following revisions were made to the final draft: Deletion of Community Alliance factor (not deemed crucial to lead agency viability) Revised rating scale on Profile Summary to be more consistent with early warning/early review purpose of assessment. Consolidation of some indicators

9. Lead Agency Viability Concept

11. Profile Summary Rating Scale Definitions Agency Strength: Indicates that the agency is meeting or exceeding expected standards which contributes greatly to stability, performance, and sustainability. Informational: For informational purposes only and should be considered in the context of the entire agency profile.

12. Profile Summary Rating Scale Definitions Further Review : Indicates a need for further review at the Indicator level since this status may reflect a condition that can increase an agency’s vulnerability and impact on sustainability. Trends, accuracy of source data, developmental stage of agency, and progress against any corrective or improvement plans underway are some of the conditions that will contribute to a better understanding of the Factor rated in this range and assist in determining if assistance or intervention may be warranted.

13. Process & Procedure Guide Initial Recommendations: Frequency:  prior to readiness assessment final site visit  bi-annually for any active CBC Lead Agency  at the request of the Secretary of the Department, Lead Agency CEO or Board President

14. Initial Recommendations: Completion and Distribution Unless otherwise assigned, the Lead Agency’s Contract Manager: responsible for collecting the data and completion of Viability Assessment Tool and Profile Summary. Finalized tool and summary are distributed to:  District Administrator  Zone Leader  Lead Agency CEO & Board Chairperson  DCF Office of the Secretary  Readiness Team Coordinator (if related to pending readiness assessment)

15. Definitions Sustainability: The capacity of a system to engage in the complexities of continuous improvement. Domain: A primary categorical area for assessment of viability. Factor: A key component in an organization’s structure, environment, operations, or performance that is integral to viability and sustainability. Indicator: A functional and measurable element that describes actions, outcomes, or conditions that can be measured and compared to established benchmarks.

16. Next Steps study, review consideration for recommendation to secretary on use dcf need to met original concerns expressed ….anticipate and avoid la performance situations. Collaborative Approach to further development