NADDP Quick Reference Guide Module 4: Organizational Development

Segment 1: Organizational Assessment for Culture and Climate

Learning Objective:

  • Understand the importance of conducting internal/external, formal/informal organizational assessments to evaluate culture and climate.

Key Content:

  • Organizational Culture: Shared behavioral expectations and norms (“the way work is done”).
  • Organizational Climate: Staff perceptions of the work environment (“how it feels” to work at the agency).
  • Impact on staff morale, retention, and service delivery.
  • Leadership role in promoting innovation, participatory decision-making, flexibility, and continuous improvement.

Activities:

  • Review OE Handbook (preface, Chapter 1).
  • Identify if an organizational assessment is needed; select a resource.
  • Develop an Organizational Assessment, Strategic Playbook, and Roadmap for Change.
  • Review APS team resources and Readiness Reflection Tool.

Coaching Session:

  • Discuss director’s prior experience with organizational assessments.
  • Provide examples of formal tools and informal approaches.
  • Identify appropriate assessment type for current agency needs.
  • Reflection questions: strengths, worries, challenges, team engagement.

Segment 2: Understanding and Using Organizational Data for Change

Learning Objective:

  • Understand the importance of using organizational data to assess current status and improve effectiveness.

Key Content:

  • Organizational Effectiveness: Systemic and systematic approach to continuous improvement.
  • DAPIM Model: Define, Assess, Plan, Implement, Monitor.
  • Use data to identify strengths, gaps, compliance, and areas for improvement.
  • Tools/Templates: Continuous Improvement Plan, Tracking Quick Wins, Chartering Teams, Communication Plan, Logic Models.

Activities:

  • Read OE Handbook Chapter 2 and OE Quick Guide.
  • Assess current tools/templates used in organizational processes.
  • Complete “Setting the Stage for Organizational Health” scenarios.
  • Review Ten Drivers of Sustainable Implementation.

Coaching Session:

  • Discuss importance of data-informed decision making.
  • Review agency data for compliance and effectiveness.
  • Explore CDSS/Federal resources for case review processes.
  • Reflection questions: strengths, worries, next steps in data use.

Segment 3: Change & Project Management

Learning Objective:

  • Learn about change and project management tools.
  • Understand importance of implementation teams.
  • Use mapping exercises to integrate organizational work.

Key Content:

  • Change management process: assess environment, define desired change, identify resources, monitor progress.
  • Mapping exercises: align current and new initiatives, identify duplication.
  • Implementation team: oversight, troubleshooting, resource allocation, cross-initiative communication.
  • Project Management Strategies:
    1. Clear project goals
    2. Regular status meetings
    3. Prioritize tasks
    4. Allocate resources wisely
    5. Streamline approval processes
    6. Improve collaboration
    7. Use data-driven insights
    8. Automate repetitive processes

Activities:

  • Conduct mapping exercise with leadership team.
  • Apply models/tools/templates to an existing or new project.
  • Assess current organizational teams for implementation roles.

Coaching Session:

  • Review tools/templates currently used.
  • Guide director through mapping and project selection.
  • Identify implementation team structure.
  • Reflection questions: strengths, worries, next steps.

Segment 4: Statewide Meetings and Regional Work

Learning Objective:

  • Identify statewide/regional meetings and partnerships.
  • Establish linkages to meet agency needs.
  • Promote collaborative interactions.

Key Content:

  • CWDA (California Welfare Directors Association): Advocacy, education, collaboration.
  • CWDA Committees:
    • Adults Services Committee (updates/issues for directors).
    • LTCOPS (IHSS policy collaboration).
    • PSOC (APS policy collaboration).
  • Regional Adults Committees: Debrief state issues at regional level.
  • Regional Training Academies: Advisory boards for training plans.
  • County Meetings: Standing meetings related to adult services and interagency collaboration.

Activities:

  • Talk with Agency Director about CWDA participation.
  • Conduct landscape exercise of county, regional, statewide meetings.
  • Identify meeting purposes, importance, influence, attendance roles.
  • Review Meeting Landscape Tool.

Coaching Session:

  • Discuss strategic participation in statewide/regional meetings.
  • Navigate CWDA website and agendas.
  • Reflection questions: collaboration, balancing office needs, sharing information, networking.