Integrating CSR into CAPS Collaborative

What is CAPS Collaborative?➔ CAPS Collaborative was established in 1975 to create programs and provide services for

children with a wide range of special educational needs➔ CAPS faculty represents the disciplines of special education, clinical psychology, speech

pathology and the allied health professions➔ Each child’s unique personality, strengths and needs are carefully studied by a team of experienced professionals. These teams along with parents create individualized programs. In

each class, students have compatible skills, learning needs and styles, and behavior➔ CAPS classes are integral parts of local public schools. CAPS students range in age from three

through twenty-one

Mission, Vision & Values

Mission - CAPS Education Collaborative will work in partnership with districts to provide programs and services of the highest quality

Vision - CAPS will be the provider of choice for regional programs and services

Values➔ We will commit every aspect of the organization to providing exceptional

educational opportunities for students➔ We will demonstrate quality and responsiveness by becoming the first

choice of districts for programs and services➔ We will strive to be a customer-focused organization that constantly

evaluates district needs➔ We will integrate quality, integrity, respect, and teamwork into every

aspect of the organization➔ We will demonstrate accountability through constantly evaluating

results and progress towards goals➔ We will implement programs and services in the most cost-effective

manner and exercise due diligence in financial decision making➔ We will work in partnership with districts to ensure that students transition

to the least restrictive environment in their home school district

Business ModelThrough CAPS mission, vision and values, it is apparent that CAPS’s strategy is one of creating shared value, social

education and awareness. CAPS’s business is built on helping children and creating an educational environment for

their students to thrive and succeed in.

Tuition & Expenses

Community Goals➔ CAPS Collaborative is committed to providing a school environment that enhances learning and

the development of lifelong wellness practices in accordance with the Federal Public Law (PL 108-265) and Massachusetts State Regulation 105 CMR 215. CAPS Collaborative recognizes that student health and success in school are interrelated

➔ CAPS Collaborative has an on-going Wellness Committee appointed by the Executive Director that is comprised of a variety of stakeholders such as representatives from food services, health care professionals, and community agencies serving youth, parents, students, and the board of directors

➔ The Wellness Committee reflects the cultural, linguistic, and ethnic composition of the community and the communities CAPS serves to the maximum extent possible. The breadth and scope of this committee may fluctuate depending on the issues being addressed, and the population of children we serve

Wellness Committee➔ The Wellness Committee keeps the Board of Directors updated on any substantial changes and

otherwise reports on a yearly basis➔ The Wellness Committee meets a minimum of 4x a year and focuses on educating and

supporting students and staff to make healthy choices around nutrition and physical activity➔ CAPS Collaborative promotes lifelong wellness through a collaboration between curriculum,

programs and activities, and community connections. In order to accomplish these goals CAPS focuses on 4 areas: Nutrition Education, Physical Activity & Education, Nutrition Standards, and other School Based Activities

Identify Stakeholders➔ Internal and external➔ Actively involved with/affected by pilot programs and other projects being

implemented➔ Stakeholders include, but are not limited to:

◆ local communities◆ students within the CAPS programs◆ parents◆ employees◆ school board members within CAPS districts◆ school administrative personnel◆ Westminster PD and Fire Department (details later)

➔ Identify whether a particular stakeholder is a threat, a critical factor for the organization’s survival, a potential collaborator, etc. This will determine what type of relationship CAPS builds with them.

Reasons for Stakeholder Engagement

➔ CAPS can benefit from strategic business planning by understanding the significance of their stakeholders◆ Seeing where/how each stakeholder fits into the ‘big picture’

concerning CAPS’s mission = better understanding of values, impacts, implementation strategies, & proper measurement and reporting

➔ Engagement will be both advisory and participatory depending on the stakeholder

➔ Will help to develop and utilize relationships between CAPS and its surrounding community for mutual benefit

Plan Engagement Process1. Identify the desired deliverables of the engagement, from both CAPS and the

stakeholders themselvesa. Engagement process for CAPS will provide strategies, processes, and infrastructures to

determine the most important components for stakeholders, encourage and involve them to leave feedback, and allow CAPS to monitor and manage stakeholder satisfaction levels

b. Will describe all levels of stakeholders in order to account for all levels of interest and involvement2. Select the appropriate engagement approach

a. Direct stakeholders—appropriate methods include focus groups, key-person meetings, or council meetings

b. Indirect stakeholders—appropriate methods include interviews (individual or small group), surveys, or referrals

Start the Dialogue➔ Mutual benefits for CAPS and its

stakeholders are maximized with high levels of openness and respect

➔ Identification and inclusion of stakeholders within the dialogue is crucial◆ CAPS will include in its stakeholder dialogue the

individuals or groups who affect/are affected by the pilot programs or any relevant business decision

➔ If important stakeholders are excluded from significant decision-making processes, trust can be damaged and future engagement may be discouraged

Start the Dialogue...

Conduct CSR Assessment➔ CAPS to take their commitment to responsibility and invest it in the assessment

process to better understand existing opportunities w/in the organization

➔ Stages of a CSR Assessment are outlined below:1. CSR Leadership Team: this team should consist of individuals from all levels of CAPS. All members must be

encouraged to contribute ideas, allowing for the aforementioned dimensions of openness and inclusion

2. Define CSR: a working definition of CSR needs to be established to serve as the foundation for the assessment;

key values and motivators should also be identified

3. Legal Requirements: legal requirements should be identified to ensure basic laws are not being infringed upon

while CAPS continues to voluntarily improve its operations

4. Review: reviewing key corporate documents, processes, and activities can help the organization recognize the

most valuable areas on which to focus

5. Stakeholders: identifying and engaging key stakeholders, as mentioned before, can help to identify potential

opportunities for CAPS as well as potential problem areas

Implementing CSR

Social Education & Awareness

➔ School assembly featuring CAPS graduate◆ Educate and inspire students◆ Increase awareness

➔ Student Activity Learning Program◆ Easter Seal’s ‘Friends Who Care’ disability

awareness curriculum● In-class learning activities that are both fun and

informative regarding life with a disability

Community Development ➔ Volunteering programs

◆ Westminster Police and Fire Department ● Field trip events for younger kids

➔ Informal learning sessions with the students◆ Police officers can work to change the negative connotations

associated w/ law enforcement◆ Potential to turn into a weekly ‘class’ or discussion

Reducing the Carbon Footprint

➔ Recycling Program◆ Recycling bins in every office

● Paper, glass and plastic waste in designated bins➔ Reduce energy consumption

◆ Traditional lights will be replaced by LED lights

CSR Committee(s) to be Established

➔ Add CSR to existing board committee responsibilities◆ Reduces inconvenience and increases

understanding and support➔ Internally, CSR will be under jurisdiction of a senior

official◆ Depending on engagement, committee could be the

best option in the future

Org. Change Mgmt—Engagement of Leadership & Staff

➔ Alignment w/ current structure and strategy➔ Focus on CSR actions that make the

most ‘business-sense’◆ Partner w/ mission and continued education

➔ Assign specific responsibilities➔ Fully integrate CSR thru performance

evaluations and job descriptions➔ Gather feedback, regularly update on

progress, manage incentives/disincentives, recognize good ideas

➔ CSR training➔ Systems for managing problematic

behavior

Implement CSR Commitments

➔ Establish a decision-making structure◆ Who makes the

decision? Do they have what they need to do the job?

➔ Processes➔ Prioritization

Measure, Report and Verify Progress

➔ Set measurable targets and identify performance measures◆ SMART Goals

➔ Quantitative vs. qualitative feedback◆ Qualitative is an alternative

➔ Be transparent—but don’t overwhelm!◆ Customize for each relevant stakeholder group

➔ Address performance and societal trends◆ How does CAPS relate?

➔ Internal audits or industry/peer reviews◆ Abide by global standards ASAP

Evaluate and Improve• What worked well? In what areas did the firm meet or exceed targets?

• Why did it work well? Were there factors within or outside the firm that helpedit meet its targets?

• What did not work well? In what areas did the firm not meet its targets?• Why were these areas problematic? Were there factors within or outside the

firm that made the process more difficult or created obstacles?• What did the firm learn from this experience? What should continue and what

should be done differently?• Drawing on this knowledge, and information concerning new trends, what

are the CSR priorities for the firm in the coming year? and• Are there new CSR objectives?

*Use an Excel sheet, at least, to track trends; feasible for small businesses too

The Future of CAPS and CSR...

➔ Influence on neighboring organizations➔ Application to public school(s)➔Utilization of plan and presentation➔ B Impact Assessment

Questions?