CADS: Community Assessment and Development Services
Sample CADS Projects
The examples offered on this website are of projects that would fit the criteria for what would constitute a "CADS Project," some completed and others ongoing. These brief summaries may also provide some food for thought for "project spotters" in Extension offices around the state. Staff in local offices are key to CADS success.
Brown County Action: The Adams/Brown Unit conducted a comprehensive needs assessment of Brown County. The Tracy Family Foundation provided funding for this effort. Following a presentation of the findings at a community meeting, the report was transformed into community "Action Teams" who were given the charge of meeting the recommendations outlined therein. These teams continue to meet and develop strategies for community improvement, and Extension staff continues to be involved.
Is this sort of comprehensive, integrated and ongoing project something that could be initiated in your area?
Youth2Work: The Workforce Investment Board of Western Illinois, covering nine counties in the western part of the state, commissioned a survey to determine the extent of programs and services within its region that address training for young people around workforce issues. Extension offices in each of the nine counties were compensated for collecting this information, which included both written surveys and key informant interviews.
Compiling, reporting and creating a portal for sharing and updating information -- what opportunities like this exist in your area?
Birth to 5 Network. The Adams/Brown Unit provided a community needs assessment of early childhood program services and needs in Adams County for the Early Childhood Quality Services Coalition.
Are there community coalitions in your area which would embrace this level of professional assistance in evaluation?
Illinois Grape Growers & Vintners Association.This organization is beginning a process designed to result in a strategic plan. In addition to surveying members, customers and other key partners will be interviewed.
Local businesses and organizations are often part of a larger group. Do you have the sort of relationship with these groups that might lead to CADS projects?
WIEDA Enterprise Zone: The Western Illinois Economic Development Authority (WIEDA) was created in 2005 to boost economic development. One component of the authorizing legislation was the authority to create a new enterprise zone, the first in many years. Intended to bring the benefits of enterprise zones to areas without such incentives, the thirteen-county area provides a particular challenge to meeting that objective. There are many restrictions to where an enterprise zone might function, all of which need to be addressed in managing it. Each time the enterprise zone expands to meet a proposed new project there is potential for a small-scale CADS project to result.
Enterprise Zones, TIF Districts, other business incentive programs -- setting them up and managing them are opportunities for CADS projects. Are there programs like this functioning in your area?
LaMoine River Watershed: As part of C2000, the LaMoine Watershed was charged with writing a Management Plan to lay out projects for the volunteer governing group to conduct in subsequent years. The Plan was required to result from citizen input and the perspective of local experts working in various connected fields. Numerous sessions were held with both groups, resulting in an extensive action plan and attainable objectives.
There are many watersheds in the state, all of which need a plan to follow, and local Soil & Water Conservation Districts utilize similar processes to catalog and document conservation programs and needs. Are there partnership opportunities like this in your area?
Alliance for Building Community. The Alliance for Building Community (ABC) began with a partnership between University of Illinois Extension, the United Way and the Adams County Health Department. In the past, the United Way would initiate a periodic community assessment for the sake of their internal decision-making. With the rise of ABC, the United Way has relinquished the community assessment function. ABC has contracted with CADS to develop a comprehensive assessment and implementation program.
Does your county or communities within your county have a United Way that periodically initiates an assessment of community needs for the sake of providing appropriate service?
Substance Abuse Coalition Program Evaluation. CADS will conduct an evaluation of the Adams County Substance Abuse Coalition framework and projects. The expectation is that this evaluation will result in recommendations that will be implemented, also guided by CADS personnel.
Another example of a coalition organized around common purpose -- how many such coalitions exist in your area, and how many of them would welcome professional assistance in assessment?
Quincy Catholic Schools: The Catholic elementary schools desired someone to conduct an objective analysis to determine which schools should be closed to address decreasing enrollment. This was a highly charged environment, requiring great skill to manage large meetings. Two schools were eventually closed with this effort recognized as a spur to that unfortunate necessity.
Public or private, all schools have some level of data needs to aid in decision making. Schools offer tremendous opportunities for CADS assistance. Can you assist in forming these relationships?
