Agency Strategy and Planning

Since 2003, Kids Central has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to developing a community-driven approach to child welfare. During its first ten years of service, innovative services and ideas were researched, implemented and evaluated. The resulting system-of-care dramatically reduced the number of youth in out-of-home care, allowed families to remain intact when safely possible, supported reunification of children with their caregivers, achieved permanency for youth in need of a forever family, and addressed emerging needs of the entire community.

The Strategy Department led by Chief of Strategy, David DeStefano,  assesses organizational capacity and strategic objectives compared to client and systemic needs within Circuit 5’s communities. Information collected through internal assessments and external evaluations is combined with outcome data as well as feedback from key stakeholders. These data are reviewed and used to inform the development of an updated Annual Business Plan and Balanced Scorecard for Kids Central. Objectives and performance targets are aligned with identified needs and cascaded to partnering case management and service provider organizations.

The intent of the strategic plan is to provide guidance and direction of Kids Central initiatives each fiscal year. Key initiatives derived from the strategic plan will support Kids Central’s vision and mission by providing the organization a substantive community and child welfare foundation. The document is an integrated set of strategies that collectively positions Kids Central in its industry so as to create a sustainable advantage relative to competition for state and community resources to deliver superior service returns.