Independent, Community Based PLANNING COUNCILS

1. Independent, Community BasedPLANNING COUNCILS Working together to build strong and caring communities across America 1

2. Topics for Today 1. History 2. National Association of Planning Councils 3. Values and Core Competencies 4. Mission and Structure Options 5. Impact 2

3. History of Planning Councils • Trade Associations to Citizen-led Organizations • 1880’s and early 1900’s • Charity Organization Societies • Emergency relief • Councils of Social Agencies • Coordination and development of resources to correct injustices 3

4. History - Community Chests/United Ways and Planning Councils • 1930-1965 • rapid growth to 500 such councils in the US and Canada • Late 1960’s • Planning became more focused on specific problems or concerns • War on Poverty focused more government attention to these issues 4

5. History, con’t. • 1990’s brought change • Focus on asset-based planning • Declines in United Way funding • 1992 - National Association of Planning Councils was incorporated 5

6. The National Association of Planning Councils is a private, non-profit national organization that promotes quality community planning and supports its members as they provide leadership for community-based human services and health planning and action. 6

7. NAPC Values • Commitment to community and involvement of a broad and diverse constituency • Comprehensive perspective reflected in decisions and actions • Inclusive decision-making that strives for consensus • Diverse viewpoints respected and encouraged in decisions and actions 7

8. NAPC Values, con’t. • Positive working relationships with all sectors of the community • Objective data and information used to support decisions and action • Focus on systems change and sustainable, long-term solutions • Principled leadership producing measurable results 8

9. Core Competency #1Building Community Infrastructure Developing, nurturing and sustaining organizations and communities by enhancing their abilities to achieve the common good through convening groups to address issues, training and technical assistance, and leadership development. 9

10. Core Competency #2Mobilizing Resources Identifying and filling gaps in community services by redirection of existing or development of new resources. 10

11. Core Competency #3Research and Evaluation Producing and sharing credible and meaningful community-based research and program evaluation that informs and influences health and social policy and practice. 11

12. Core Competency #4Public Policy Analysis Producing timely, valuable and accurate information on policy choices for use by citizens and policy makers in developing solutions for community problems. 12

13. Core Competency #5Community Organizing Helping people and organizations most affected by public policies, services or community conditions develop and carryout activities that build community and neighborhood capacity and enhance health, economic conditions, and social well-being. 13

14. Core Competency #6Advocacy Engaging people in use of effective approaches to influence policy-makers, opinion leaders and general public in decisions benefiting the overall community’s quality of life. 14

15. Core Competency #7Information Services Producing and disseminating timely, accurate information for health and human services planning, fund distribution, policy development, and services referral. 15

16. Core Competency #8Facilitation Creating a safe, unaligned environment for the resolution of community problems and engaging multiple community sectors in addressing identified community issues. 16

17. Planning Council ModelsCurrent Trends Structural Foundation and Focus • Membership – Dallas, TX • Stakeholders – Austin, TX • Non-aligned – Sacramento, CA • Civic Issues – Jacksonville, FL 17

18. Planning CouncilMission Statements • To improve the quality of life in the Sacramento Region through information, planning, program innovation, volunteerism and advocacy for human needs. Community Services Planning Council (CA) • To bring together social service providers and individuals to address quality of life issues in the Dallas region. Community Council of Greater Dallas (TX) 18

19. Planning CouncilMission Statements, con’t. • To provide leadership in community-based planning and mobilization of resources to address health and human service needs of people in the Tulsa area. Community Service Council of Greater Tulsa (OK) • Helping communities address unmet needs through coordination of programs and services. Human Services Council of Mid-Fairfield (CT) 19

20. Planning CouncilMission Statements, con’t. • To provide strategic leadership to improve targeted health and social conditions in Greater Cleveland through research, analysis, communication, and organization of community resources for action. The Center for Community Solutions (OH) 20

21. Why Independent Planning Councils? • Provide a neutral forum for addressing and resolving community issues • Provide a comprehensive, system-wide approach to community problem-solving and service coordination • Are future focused • Are community-driven and engage a broad spectrum of stakeholders in all efforts 21

22. Planning Council Resources National Association of Planning Councils www.communityplanning.org 22