Harc Recipient of $28K Technical Assistance Grant
The Hartford Foundation for Public Giving awarded a $28,000 Technical Assistance Grant to Harc for a strategic planning process that will guide the agency’s direction through the next five years.
Harc undertook an organizational assessment process, which led the organization to apply for the grant through the Hartford Foundation’s Nonprofit Support Program (NSP). NSP’s strategic planning grants help organizations to identify key priorities and can help focus and prioritize limited resources.
“Strategic planning can help to meaningfully and measurably advance an organization’s mission. Clear plans can help align board and staff, engage stakeholders, and prepare organizations for challenges that lie ahead,” said Meher Shulman, NSP’s Associate Director.
After a rigorous RFP process, Harc chose the Life Course Nexus Training and TA Center at the University of Missouri-Kansas City Institute for Human Development (UMKC-IFHD). Their mission, which mirrors Harc’s, is to improve the quality of life for people with I/DD across the lifespan by promoting community inclusion, membership, self-determination, independence, productivity, and social participation; and high-quality community-based services and individualized supports for people with I/DD and their families. UMKC-IFHD is the lead developer of the Charting the Life Course framework. The tools they have created for individuals, families, and professionals are used nationwide to enhance person-centered practices and policies. Jennifer Turner, LCSW, is the lead consultant on the project.
“UMKC-IHD, and the LifeCourse Nexus, are excited to partner with Harc and to facilitate the strategic planning process using the Charting the LifeCourse framework. Not only does the framework support people with disabilities and their families across the lifespan from birth through older adulthood, but it also helps to examine strengths, needs, and goals, which are applicable for group planning and organizational implementation at multiple levels of policy and practice,” said Turner. “The LifeCourse Nexus team members have infused the CtLC framework into a strategic planning methodology and toolkit, and we commend Harc for investing in a robust process that will support their ongoing mission and vision for people and families in Connecticut.”
Harc’s vision is to become a total person/family-centered organization, with decisions made by the people they support and their families. This approach requires partnership and collaboration between individuals, families, and providers to plan and deliver services.
“Harc is on an exciting journey towards the future in service delivery. Our mission, which embraces the tenets of quality, inclusion, and dignity is the perfect focus area that will drive us towards a person and family-driven partnership. I am proud to be collaborating with UMKC-IFHD, their philosophy of supporting families will help support us in designing our future,” said Ken Cabral, Harc President, and CEO.
“Great moments are born from great opportunities, and that’s what we have here. We are already seeing the benefits of working with a national leader like UMKC-IFHD assisting Harc through the program. This is an incredible opportunity to continue and grow the services our families have relied on for over 70 years,” said Greg Calnen, Harc’s Board Chair.
The first phase of the strategic planning process has already begun. Harc hopes to have the complete plan in place by June.