Examples and Non Examples of Goals

Root Cause/SWOT

Long-standing practice of agencies working in silos, instead of collaborating and coordinating to plan with each other and individual youth/families, leads to confusion, resulting in families starting to plan for transition too late.

From the SWOT discussion – a strength was identified that some Team members have experience in engaging in mulit agency planning with individual youth. Their experience will assist in putting together training activities associated with strategies within the plan.

Discussion

The root cause of the problem indicates that a change in practice, from agencies working in silos to working in concert with each other, would facilitate families engaging in transition planning earlier.

Example - Goal

Professionals across agencies will have the knowledge and tools to collaboratively plan with each other, individual youth and their families for the transition from school to adult life

Discussion

The Example Goal above states in the affirmative that the Team intends to equip professionals with knowledge and tools for engaging families, and each other, in collaborating for transition planning.

This goal also sets the expectation that professionals will use the knowledge and tools to collaboratively plan for the transition to the adult world – a significant change in practice from a ‘handoff’ type system of agencies working with youth one at a time. Several strategies, including training, will be necessary to institute, expand and sustain the new practice.

Non-Example - Goal

Provide a cross-training series for professionals across agencies to learn about resources and tools for transition planning

Discussion

The Non-Example Goal above is a good strategy since it describes an event, but it falls short of being a strategic goal. Research about professional development is clear – attending a training is only one step in taking a new or novel approach and incorporating it into practice. Other steps include follow-up, opportunities for guided practice with experts, technical assistance during implementation, follow-along to ensure fidelity to the new practice. That way it becomes incorporated into typical practice, and likely to be sustained into the furute.