Strengthening Families Initiative
The Challenge
NPower was asked to develop a data tracking system so that five very different community groups could share information about their common clients. The Annie E. Casey Foundation funds The Successful Families Initiative which seeks to improve the lives of a group of families in living in Washington DC's Ward 7 by increasing collaboration among the agencies that support them.
The participating agencies differ dramatically in size and degree of technology sophistication. They range from a public school with only a dial up email connection to tech savvy organizations like East Capital Center for Change to well-established organizations like Marshall Heights Community Development Center and the East of the River Family Strengthening Collaborative. These agencies provide a variety of family support services, including low-income housing, ex-offender counseling, workforce development, and financial management.
The Solution
NPower conducted a thorough assessment of each agency, determining its technology needs and capabilities. We then led the group in developing a list of requirements that would meet the service needs and the technology environment of all of the participating organizations. Next, we surveyed the marketplace for available technology solutions, considering alternatives from a fully customized solution to an off-the-shelf product. Ultimately, we recommended a Web-based software that could adapt to the needs of different environments. The software is easy to use, customizable, and affordable.
The Impact
NPower implemented the software, working with staff at each agency as needed and the organizations are beginning to share important information about their clients on a regular basis. The result: five agencies that used to operate separately are now making referrals to each other and clients are receiving needed services.
"The NPower team really listened to us and helped us understand how the technology could help in a way that we could understand as nontechies," said Mae Best, Executive Director of East of the River Family Strengthening Collaborative in Ward 7.
"We were very impressed by their professionalism and their thoroughness. The Web-based software solution has enabled five groups to work together in ways that none of us ever thought was possible. They even helped the school install a very inexpensive wireless network to get around their limited Internet access. The solution was very innovative and we are impressed by the results that we are seeing," said Irene Lee of the Annie E. Casey Foundation.
