Calaveras Strategic Plan Annual Review (2006)

The Calaveras County Children and Families Commission Strategic Plan was adopted on September 15, 2000 after a lengthy process of assessment and input, including a community survey, focus groups, a forum, Board of Supervisors review, and a public hearing. The plan was purposefully developed with many varied strategies as possibilities for the utilization of Proposition 10 monies. This was done in order to provide maximum flexibility for the first funding process, as well as to allow broad participation, creativity and best utilization of community assets. The initial plan was reviewed in 2001, and the revised version was adopted on December 14, 2001.

During the years since the revised adoption of the plan, the Commission has found that the original conclusions related to community needs have held to be true. Through its funding processes it has become clear, however, that broad-range strategies are not the best mechanism for bringing about needed change. It is evident that, as a small county with very limited revenues, it is essential that the Commission adopt and focus on a small number of priorities and programs with a very specific set of strategies for change. In this way, adequate resources can be allocated for an adequate length of time to ensure successful results. Simply funding a wide variety of unrelated programs and interventions will not result in a lasting systems change.

In recognition of the above, the focus of the 2006 strategic plan review was to again refine the goals, objectives and strategies and to clearly define the Commission priorities. The original strategies were narrowed to specific areas where the greatest impact can be achieved. Priorities for focus and funding over the coming year were re-established, based on need and capacity.