4. Purpose of the CAB Toolkit
Guidance to optimize DCS’s involvement in CABs
Big picture goals & objectives
Sample documents
Role and responsibilities of DCS
representatives
5. Scope & Statutory Purpose
Statutory
purpose
outlined in
TN Code
CABs are
separate &
independent
entities
6. Scope & Statutory Purpose
• CAB oversight provided by Network Development Division within the In
Home Tennessee Initiative and Prevention Unit
Network Development
In Home Tennessee
In Home Tennessee
Service Array
Evaluation
Resource Linkage
Coordinators
Communication
Community
Advisory Boards
Community Based
Child Abuse
Prevention /
Children's Trust
IV-E Waiver Program
10. Communication
• Strengthen communication between DCS
and the community
• Increase community awareness of DCS’s
vision, mission, strategic priorities,
resources & success stories
• Promote two-way dialogue between DCS
and the community
11. Partnerships
• Helping DCF work more strategically
and effectively with its partners in the
community
• Foster mutual understanding of roles and
competencies
• Develop shared sense of trust, respect &
responsibility to DCS goals
12. Resources for Families
• Achieve long-term impact by developing
resources that are comprehensive and/or
systemic in nature
• Community-based resources & services to
meet the immediate needs of children and
families
• Resources to assist transitional youth and
emerging adults
18. Suggested Mission Statement
The mission of XXX Advisory Board is to assist
the Department of Children’s Services within
the In Home Tennessee efforts to foster
partnerships to protect children, develop youth,
strengthen families, and build safe
communities. This will be achieved by building
organizational and community capacity,
improving access and quality of services, and
enhancing how we work with families
20. CAB Meetings
Standing Agenda
• Agenda organized
around key areas of
communication,
partnerships &
resources
Meeting Frequency
• Meet at least nine
times per year
Minutes
• Detailed, accurate
• Promote
transparency
• Overview of
discussion and action
taken
21. Role of Resource Linkage
Coordinators
• RL’s serve as a liaison to CABs. Since the
CAB is an independent entity, RL’s should
not serve as voting members.
• RL’s should participate at a strategic level
• Also assist with logistics as needed
22. Role of RL
STRATEGIC
- Ensure topics important to DCS are on CAB Agenda
- Provide DCS updates and announcements
- Gather and report success stories
- Encourage two-way communication
- Encourage collaboration
In addition, assist with logistics as needed (scheduling
meetings, secure meeting space, send meeting
reminders, maintain email list, etc.)
23. Effectiveness
Quarterly
Reports
• Summary of activities &
accomplishments
• Identify obstacles & solutions
• Overview of goals for following quarter
Annual Reports
• Documentation
• Comprehensive list of accomplishments
• Identify obstacles , solutions & goals for
following year
Annual
Effectiveness
Survey
• Formal evaluation sent annually to all
CAB members
28. Training Tips
• Be positive!
• Clearly identify the training objectives
• Importance of CABs to DCS
• Purpose & usage of Toolkit
• Make the training participatory
• Teach content in “chunks”; check-in
frequently to make sure concepts are
understood
29. Training Tips
• Be prepared
• Room set-up is important (not classroom)
• Schedule breaks
• “Parking lot” for questions
31. Action Planning
1) What obstacles or challenges might
prevent successful implementation of the
CAB Toolkit? What can be done to
overcome those obstacles?
2) Who needs to know about the CAB
Toolkit? What do they need to know? How
should messages be communicated?
Before we explore the Toolkit we want to pause to explain the purpose of the Toolkit. It’s a Toolkit – not a manual. We recognize that CABs are separate and independent entities, and we also recognize that CABs are in varying states of organization and governance. With this general understanding in mind, the Toolkit was developed to provide guidance on how DCS’s involvement in CAB can be optimized. The Toolkit includes recommendations and sample documents on topics including CAB goals, foundation materials such as Bylaws, CAB membership guidelines, etc. The Toolkit also includes instruction for DCS representatives on their role and responsibilities as it relates to the CAB.
Primary purpose of Board is to guide the direction of the CAB and its work. Board should envision the role of the CAB in the community it serves, and develop goals and objectives to achieve the CAB’s mission. CAB members should reflect the community it serves and comprised of community stakeholders. Size of the CAB will depend on the community. Membership Grid can help ensure representation from all stakeholder groups. Sample in Appendix One of the Toolkit. Sample invitation letter for new members can be found in Appendix Two. Orientation should be offered annually.
Bylaws: Written rules that control the internal affairs of an organization. If already have Bylaws, model can be a resource and point of comparison when reviewing / updating bylaws.Confidentiality: Outlined in the Code – members responsible for maintaining confidentiality. CAB members who review DCS records are required to sign DCS’s standard CA.Conflict of Interest: Best Practice for all non-profit boards.Samples in Appendices Three - Five
Sample Agenda & Minutes can be found in Appendices Six and Seven.
Reporting of activities and accomplishments necessary for DCS to evaluate the effectiveness of CABS in achieving organizational goals and objectives.
