Kelli Crane, Ph.D.Debra Martin Luecking, Ed.D.

TransCen, Inc.

NSTTAC Secondary Transition State Planning Institute: Building for the Future

Learning ObjectivesDefine Community Resource Mapping

Describe purposes for resource map

Introduce the process for resource mapping

Share examples of the process

Resource Mapping DefinedA system building process that links

community resources with an agreed upon vision, goals, and expected outcomes.

Resource Mapping Defined• A system-building process that:• Leads to change• Identifies resources and barriers to

building a system• Strategizes optimal uses of resources• Identifies limitations and gaps in

resource coordination• Explores new resources• Coordinates resources for strategic

planning

Purpose of Resource MappingComprehensive approach to:

build capacitysustain practiceinform strategic action planning make informed decisionscollect and analyze datashare information that benefits all stakeholders

Outcomes of Resource MappingImproved post-school results for youth

Competitively employedEnrolled in postsecondary school

More collaborative partnershipsMore efficient and effective in delivery of

services to youth and families“Map” of resource available for youth and

families

If everyone is doing it, If everyone is doing it,

how come it NEVER gets how come it NEVER gets done?done?

— — Joe Marrone, UMass-BostonJoe Marrone, UMass-Boston

Four Step ProcessStep 1: Pre-Mapping/Assessment

Step 2: Mapping

Step 3: Strategic Implementation

Step 4: Maintaining Mapping Efforts

Step 1: Pre-Mapping / AssessmentEstablish a Coordinating Team

Create a Vision/Goalreduce drop-out ratesimprove transition results (e.g., competitive

employment & postsecondary education)

Establish a Coordinating TeamNew or existing teamConsider self-interest

What brings people to the table & keeps them there?Common goal Diverse representation Significant ties to community Include “rotating” members to address particular issues

and resources

Potential PartnersSecondary education staff (i.e., transition,

general, special)Adult education representativeAdvocacy organizationsBusiness-education partnership

representativeCommunity action agency representativeCorrectional education staffDrop-out prevention representativeEmployersExtension service representativeTransportation representativeHigher education representativeCommunity-based organizations

Create a VisionBreak traditional thinking

Provide continuity of purpose & direction

Prioritize issues & concerns

Promote interest & commitment to action

Create ownership of success

Step 2: MappingKnow your organizing framework

Develop tools to collect resource data

Collect and map community resource data

Identify existing limitations, gaps and overlaps in resources

Determine implications of the findings

Create an Organizing FrameworkUniversal Resources- Resources available to

all youth -- aimed at enhancing success and reducing barriers to the transition process

Selected Resources- Supplemental resources provided to small groups of youth- to reduce the potential for increased difficulty and risk for long term failure

Targeted Resources- Individually designed, intensive resources / interventions needed by very few youth

Organizing FrameworkNASET Transition Domains:Secondary Education & Graduation

Career Preparation & Employment

Family Involvement

Youth Development & Leadership

Supportive and Adult Services

Organizing FrameworkTaxonomy for Transition

Student-focused planning

Student development

Family involvement

Program structure

Interagency collaboration

Data Collection

Determine what data to collect & evaluate - vision & goals will drive data collection decisions

Use a variety of evaluation strategies (on-line surveys, interviews, observations, focus groups, public forums)

Value the opinions/ideas of both stakeholder groups & end-users

Step 3: Implementing the Map

“The power of resource mapping comes with what happens after the resources have been

identified.”

Develop a strategic action plan

Facilitate access to resources

Communicate & disseminate information

Strategic Action PlanningStrategize how resources can be redirected

Determine which needs exist after realignment

Identify other community resources

Plan to access additional funding or resources

Build mutually beneficial partnerships;

Anticipate challenges, and solutions.

Facilitate Access to ResourcesConsider a variety of possible formats for

sharing and aligning resources

Work to increase access and use of the resources

Step 4: Maintaining Mapping EffortsExamine process

Measure progress

Maintain momentumRegular communication

Sustain effortsUse of intermediaries

Evaluate Process and ProgressSurvey stakeholders (especially end-users) to

determine if resource mapping process has served purpose.

Survey team members to determine if process was beneficial and meaningful.

Analyze outcome data to measure effectiveness of realigning resources.

Improved outcomes are the ultimate indicator of effective resource mapping.

Maintain EffortsBuild your “Case for Support”

Maintain flexibility

Continue to increase and diversify resources by engaging community

Evaluate and monitor progress periodically- report out to stakeholders

Communicate both successes and challenge

The Value of Reflection

“Here is Edward Bear, coming downstairs now, bump, bump, bump on the back of his head, behind Christopher Robin. It is, as far as he knows, the only way of coming downstairs, but sometimes he feels that there really is another way, if only he could stop bumping for a moment and think of it.”

- A. A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh

Mapping Experience4 Stages of Change1.Contentment2.Denial3.Chaos4.Creativity

Example—Mapping for Sustainability7 communities in California

Goal to sustain program practice “continue benefits services in schools”

Defined “benefits services”Collected and analyzed project dataLooked for new ways to “blend” & “braid”

fundsDetermined who benefitsFound new partners and new ways to do

business

Example-Mapping for Improved ResultsState of Florida—Interagency Services

CommitteeVision: To develop strategies to eliminate barriers

which will ensure successful transition to employment and further educational opportunities for youth with disabilities.

Goals: 1) increase number of youth transitioning to competitive

employment 2) increase number accessing post-secondary education

Example -- continuedMapping to gain baseline data on the

resources to support transition to employment and post-secondary educationResults provide the BIG PICTURE & strategic

direction

Present the plan to the state legislature and get support in implementing the actions

Lessons LearnedPurpose driven – clearly defined goal

Action plan must follow the data collection (e.g., map)

Engage a “champion” or “champions”

Inform those contributing to the map of the results

Build come language and purpose across all players

ResourcesEssential Tools: Improving Secondary

Education and Transition for Youth with Disabilities-Community Resource Mapping. (2005). Crane, K., & Mooney, M.

http://www.ncset.org/publications/essentialtools/mapping

Early Ongoing Collaboration and Assistance- Resource Mapping: A Toolkit. (2006). Sanetti, L., Kratochwill, T., Volpiansky, P., & Ring, M. http://www.eocaschools.org

Kelli Crane, Ph.D.TransCen, Inc.kcrane@transcen.org240.418.2684

Debra Martin Luecking, Ed.D

TransCen, Inc.dluecking@transcen.org301.424.2002 ext. 245