Strategic Planning Facilitation

Creating inclusive after school programs includes working with systems at the regional, county and district levels to create inclusive environments for students with special needs and/or disabilities. It is important to utilize local resources to support after school staff in acquiring the knowledge, skills, abilities, and attitudes to do so. In times of limited resources, it is even more important than ever to collaborate to create win-wins for the children we serve. To facilitate local support, strategic planning is encouraged in an effort to build collaborative partnerships, share expertise and leverage local resources.

Effective strategic planning, would include at a minimum, administrators from:

  • After School Programs
  • After School Regional Lead
  • District and county Special Education Programs
  • Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA)

Just as we wish to be inclusive with the children in our after school programs, we should model that same practice when inviting participation for strategic planning. After School Program staff can share front-line everyday experience; Regioanl Leads can support After School Program administrators in clearly sharing program requirements, strengths and challenges during meeting(s); and SELPA directors can support Special Education administrators in clearly sharing Special Education trends, focus, and services.

After identifying someone to coordinate the effort and an individual to facilitate the meeting process, meetings should be scheduled and invitations extended. Typically a minimum of two 2–3 hour meetings may be required to determine how best to accomplish identified goals.

Invitees participate in a strategic planning process which includes:

  • Meeting one another, sharing roles and responsibilites
  • Sharing success stories and challenges
  • Identifying existing resources
  • Identifying areas of common interest and potential support
  • Crafting an action plan with clear goals, timelines, and identifying individuals assuming responsibility for following-through
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