Strategic Plan

Transcription

1 Strategic Plan

2 Introduction Approximately 40 percent of young people who are homeless identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender. All homelessness is tragic, but LGBTQ+ youth experiencing homelessness are in deep and immediate peril. Between percent of these youth have been forced out by their parents or have run away, fleeing rejection and abuse at home. Our city s homeless shelters are often unsafe for this population youth report that they have experienced sexual, physical, and verbal assault and have even been subjected to conversion therapy. In the entire state of Indiana, there is not a single shelter or transitional home focused on LGBTQ+ youth. Upon identifying this need in the community, Trinity Episcopal Church developed a partnership with Indiana Youth Group (IYG), the city s experts in the needs of LGBTQ+ youth. Through qualitative research, the Trinity Haven implementation team determined that they should initially focus on providing transitional housing for LGBTQ youth ages The Trinity Haven program will follow the model provided by the Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB), a division of the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). This trauma-informed and culturally competent programming will focus on preparing residents for their eventual transition to independent living; emphasizing education, job training, and life skills. The program will also be informed by the 3/40 Blueprint, a research-based list of best practices for serving LGBTQ+ youth experiencing homelessness, and the regulations of the Indiana Department of Child Services (DCS). IYG will provide its effective, strengths-based programming at Trinity Haven and at IYG s headquarters, which are just a few blocks from Trinity Haven. IYG will provide Trinity Haven youth with individualized case management as well as access to IYG s legal services; assistance with education and job placement; classes that teach life skills; and support from IYG staffers and other LGBTQ+ youth aimed at empowering residents to advocate for themselves and others. Through IYG, Trinity Haven residents will be connected to additional community resources, such as physical and mental health services. According to the Runaway and Homeless Youth Management Information System, 88 percent of youth who participate in transitional living programs exit to safe and stable permanent housing. In addition to the partnership with Indiana Youth Group, the Trinity Haven implementation team assembled a team of expert partners and funders to support the development of the project. With a grant from the Faith & Action Project at Christian Theological Seminary, they hired Community Solutions, Inc. to professionally develop the operational, programmatic, regulatory, and physical aspects of the agency. A team of attorneys at Ice Miller LLP donated legal assistance. Architectural advice was generously provided by Whiteboard. The Coalition for Homelessness Intervention and Prevention (CHIP) funded a feasibility study conducted through Loring-Sternberg & Associates and Indiana University s School for Public and Environmental Affairs supplied grant identification and writing assistance. The Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis is lending volunteer support and the Central Indiana Community Foundation (CICF) is offering fundraising support. Trinity Episcopal Church launched Trinity Haven in part, because they believe that faith-based organizations have a special obligation to help mend this particular tear in the social fabric because the misapplication of religion itself is a significant reason these youth live in poverty and danger. Trinity Haven hopes that their model will be replicated by organizations throughout the city and state, so that no LGBTQ+ youth in Indiana has to spend the night on a park bench ever again.

3 Strategic Planning Process In August 2018, Community Solutions, Inc. assembled a strategic planning team, including Trinity Haven implementation team members, subject matter experts, and external partners, to identify and articulate the organization s strategic goals and action steps for The following individuals provided input on the plan. Sara Alrajabi, Adult and Child Health Reverend Jeff Bower, St. Paul s Episcopal Church John Brady, St. Richard s Episcopal School John Craun, Trinity Episcopal Church Jenn Dawson, Trinity Episcopal Church Chris Douglas, C.H. Douglas & Gray Kären Haley, Indianapolis Cultural Trail Lakshmi Hasanadka, Project Home Indy Leigh Ann Hirschman, Trinity Episcopal Church and Hirschman Literary Services Kate Howe, Indy Hunger Network Carla Hutchinson, Indiana Youth Group Rob McPherson, Central Indiana Community Foundation Chris Paulsen, Indiana Youth Group Tammie Read, St. Richard s Episcopal School Reverend Julia Whitworth, Trinity Episcopal Church The strategic plan details the objectives and strategies Trinity Haven will use to achieve its aim, along with benchmarks to measure progress. It is a dynamic roadmap that will guide Trinity Haven s growth through 2021 and reflects the agency s commitment to empowering LGTBQ+ youth to thrive in the world. While Trinity Haven will have the capacity to eventually provide transitional housing to just under 20 youth, the scope and reach of the agency will extend beyond the house walls and impact the lives of many LGBTQ+ youth.

4 Trinity Haven s Focus Result Trinity Haven residents will be empowered to thrive in the world. Target Population LGBTQ+ youth ages experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness Outcomes Improve Safety Improve Well-being Increase Protective Factors Related to Trauma Increase Permanent Connections Improve Self-Sufficiency

5 Program and Administrative Strategies During the first two years, Trinity Haven will focus on building the agency s infrastructure by implementing the following strategies: Develop a strong Trinity Haven Board of Directors with the skills and tools necessary to develop and sustain the organization. Ensure that Trinity Haven has the staff/volunteer structure to be successful. Ensure that Trinity Haven is financially stable. Develop and implement evidence-based programming aimed at meeting the unique needs of Trinity Haven residents. Once the infrastructure is in place, Trinity Haven will aim to expand their reach and scope by implementing the following strategies: Create a flex fund for graduates to help remove barriers to independent living. Support the development of LGBTQ+ supportive foster care. Support the development of emergency shelter for LGBTQ+ youth.

6 Detailed Strategies Strategy 1: Develop a strong Trinity Haven Board of Directors with the skills and tools necessary to develop and sustain the organization. Indicators Year Goal(s) Develop board orientation packet, which includes board position description(s), board expectations, and agency information Fill remaining board positions, considering current gaps in skills and attributes Establish board committees Develop board member dashboard to provide ongoing feedback to board members about their performance Re-consider Trinity Episcopal Church minimum board member % in by-laws Develop annual recruitment plan that addresses board/committee needs Implement an annual board self-assessment of board skills and expertise, contributions, etc. Develop process for board review and approval of agency policies and procedures, to be reviewed/approved annually Trinity Haven Board of Directors Community Solutions Trinity Episcopal Church Development of: o Orientation packet o Member dashboard o Recruitment plan o Board selfassessment o Process for review of agency policies and procedures Board Member Demographics, Skills Board Meeting Attendance at committee and full board meetings Board Member Retention 2019 Fill all available board positions with individuals that have necessary skills and attributes to make Trinity Haven successful, including individuals with lived experience Member attendance at board meetings no lower than 80% 100% of board members contribute financially to the organization (proportional to means) 100% of board members serve on a committee 2020 Member attendance at board meetings no lower than 80% 100% of board members contribute financially to the organization (proportional to means) 100% of board members serve on a committee 2021 Member attendance at board meetings no lower than 80% 100% of board members contribute financially to the organization (proportional to means) 100% of board members serve on a committee

7 Strategy 2: Ensure that Trinity Haven has the staff/volunteer structure to be successful. Indicators Year Goal Develop a staffing plan that meets program expectations/goals Develop staff position descriptions Identify volunteer roles and position descriptions Work with local colleges and universities to recruit graduate level interns Develop personnel/ volunteer policies and procedures, including onboarding and exit interview process Develop annual review process for staff and volunteers Trinity Haven Program Trinity Haven Licensing Indiana Youth Group Trinity Episcopal Church St. Richard s Episcopal School IUPUI, University of Indianapolis, Butler University, Marian University Staff plan developed Volunteer plan developed Position descriptions developed Placement and retention of staff/volunteers/interns % staff receiving annual reviews 2019 Staff plan developed Recruit and hire Executive Director Initial staff/volunteer positions filled 2020 Staff/volunteer positions filled and retained 2021 Staff/volunteer positions filled and retained

8 Strategy 3: Ensure that Trinity Haven is financially stable. Indicators Develop annual operations budget and site development budget. Complete DCS licensing requirements and initiate state contract Continue fund development campaign Develop, implement, and maintain an ongoing fund development plan, which outlines potential grant resources (federal, state, corporate, private, foundation) Implement fundraising software for tracking and retention of donors Develop plan for special events and fundraisers Optimize use of social media to maximize online contributions Develop a grant reporting structure and annual reporting system Trinity Haven Fund Development Trinity Haven Grants Trinity Haven Licensing Team HHS DCS Private Foundations Indiana Youth Group Trinity Episcopal Church St. Richard s Episcopal School Fund development campaign goal met Execution of DCS contract Ongoing fund development plan Increase in contributions to Trinity Haven Number of repeat donors Number of corporate and foundation funders Year Goal 2019 Fund development campaign goal met Execution of DCS contract Income raised meets budget projections 2020 Income raised meets budget projections 2021 Income raised meets budget projections

9 Strategy 4: Develop and implement evidence-based programming aimed at meeting the unique needs of Trinity Haven residents. Indicators Year Goal Work with licensing team to finalize agency policy manual, submit DCS application Work with program team to build out program model based on established evidence-based logic model Develop and execute contract with Indiana Youth Group for programming, which includes deliverables and performance measures Develop contract monitoring plan, including regular meetings with IYG program staff Develop and implement program evaluation plan, which includes process, outcome, and client satisfaction measures Identify potential university partners to conduct research, contribute to the evidencebased research around provision of services to LGBTQ+ youth experiencing homelessness Trinity Haven Licensing Trinity Haven Program Indiana Youth Group DCS Community Solutions Project Home Indy IUPUI, UIndy, Butler University, Marian University Policy Manual DCS application complete IYG Contract Executed Contract Monitoring Plan Program Evaluation Plan 2019 Completion of policy manual DCS licensing secured Execution of DCS contract Execution of IYG contract 2020 Development of program evaluation plan 2021 Implementation of program evaluation plan

10 Strategy 5: Create a flex fund for graduates to help remove barriers to independent living. Indicators Year Goal Develop protocol for tracking graduate resource needs Establish line item in budget for graduate flex funds Identify potential donors interested in providing flex funds for graduates Develop process for reviewing and approving resource requests Develop evaluation protocols for flex funds Indiana Youth Group Trinity Haven Fund Development Indiana Connected by 25 Development of tracking mechanism % of post-exit clients that had their resource needs tracked 2019 Process for tracking graduate resource needs established 2020 Post-exit resource needs tracked for 80% of clients 2021 Post-exit resource needs tracked for 90% of clients Process for reviewing/ approving requests established Fund established Strategy 6: Support development of LGBTQ+ supportive foster care. Indicators Convene partners to discuss gaps in LGBTQ+ supportive foster care, identify project goals and partner roles Provide ongoing support of efforts to increase LGBTQ+ supportive foster care. Indiana Youth Group Trinity Episcopal Church Indiana Connected by 25 DCS Project team established # of LGBTQ+ supportive foster parents Year Goal 2020 convened Project leadership, partner roles established 2021 Participation in project team Strategy 7: Support development of emergency shelter for LGBTQ+ youth. Indicators Year Examine existing service gaps and capacity needs around emergency shelter for LGBTQ+ youth Research best practices/models in other cities Identify options for expanding capacity to include emergency shelter Participate in project team Indiana Youth Group Existing Emergency Shelters (Children s Bureau, Lutheran Child and Family Services, Stopover, Inc) Indiana Connected by 25 CHIP Summary of gaps and capacity needs Summary of options for expanding capacity Goal 2021 Gaps, needs, and options for expansion summarized Project team established

11 Long-term Strategies While the majority of the first three years will be focused on building infrastructure, the strategic planning team identified several strategies to consider in years four and beyond, including: Establish supportive housing for LGBTQ+ young adults (21-24 year olds) Develop a mentoring program Build an LGBTQ+-affirming employer network and disseminate information about the network to partner organizations and the public Establish an LGBTQ+ street outreach task force to expanding street outreach to LGBTQ+ youth Develop partnerships for education and training and expand college/career ready skills offerings Provide technical assistance and training in partnership with Indiana Youth Group to other agencies serving LGBTQ+ youth Create a process toolkit for other agencies hoping to provide similar services Establish an alumni support group Advocate for LGBTQ+-supportive legislation and policy at the state and local level Conclusion It is clear that Trinity Haven is on a positive trajectory. They have formed the necessary partnerships and established the foundational framework to ensure that they will become a mature, high functioning organization. By focusing on the strategies outlined in this plan, which focus first on building infrastructure and then expanding their scope and reach, Trinity Haven will be in an ideal position to achieve its intended result that Trinity Haven residents will be empowered to thrive in the world. Trinity Haven s implementation team is eager to enter the next phase of organizational development and is well-prepared to address challenges and seize opportunities for success. Prepared by Community Solutions, Inc