What is the CQL Focus Forum?
The CQL Focus Forum offers
a unique consultative experience for human service organizations – built on the
principles of real-time change. The consultation brings together employees,
people receiving supports and their families, volunteers, community supporters,
and board members for 2½ days of interactive dialogue, debate, and action
planning. The Focus Forum concludes with an organization-wide plan,
identification of resources, timeframe for implementation, and measures of
accomplishment.
The purpose of the Focus Forum is to empower the organization
with the knowledge, tools, partners, leadership, and practical action plans to realize a shared vision for excellence in person-centered supports.In short, the Focus Forum is about Big Change in A Short Time
at a Low Cost.
What happens during the
2½ day Focus Forum?
- Representatives from the entire organization (managers,
board members, staff, people served, community members, families, etc.) meet and work together in one place, at the
same time.
- Open
sharing of ideas is allowed and encouraged to develop a common base of
information.
- The large
group explores the current status of personal choice, person-centered services,
and quality of life
- Small groups identify issues, assets, obstacles,
resources, plans, partners, etc. for three priority areas.
- Groups present their work – plans, actions,
timelines, and responsibilities.
- Organization leadership accepts the action plan
and commits the organization to act.
- Together
the organization moves forward through real-time change, organization-wide
dialogue, problem solving, and action.
What do we do to prepare for the Focus Forum?
Prior
to the Focus Forum, the CQL consultant and organization leadership discuss
which organizational members, partners, and stakeholders should be involved (and
invited) to make this a dynamic and successful process. We talk about how to
best gather information and what kinds of organizational information will be
helpful throughout the process. We plan and coordinate the logistics of the
meetings, including time, space, and materials needed for the process. This
typically takes place during two conference calls.
Organizations have
the option of completing one or more online surveys ahead of time. Surveys cover a range of topics including
leadership style, team strength, and change readiness. Participant responses
are completely confidential and results are presented only in summary format.
Who
and how many people should participate?
We highly recommend
that the participants represent all those with a stake in the organization’s
work. This includes: directors/managers, board members, staff members,
people served, families, community members, etc. Representation by people
receiving services is essential to a successful experience.
We have worked with
groups of less than 30 to over 100 people. The organization is free to
determine how many people to invite. The Focus Forum process ensures that all
voices are heard and that all participants have the opportunity to contribute.How is the Focus Forum used by organizations?
The
Focus Forum can be used as:
- strategic
planning exercise
- mission
alignment exercise
- organizational
transformation initiative
- organizational
assessment, or
- implementation
strategy for enhancing person-centered services, self-determination or
person-centered quality of life
Many organizations find that the Focus Forum
can both launch and re-energize organization or culture change efforts.What
happens after the Focus Forum?
For
the organization, the Focus Forum can be the starting point for making
decisions about additional resources, consultants, and change and leadership
strategies. The shared experience and stakeholder buy-in provides a sense of
renewal, energy, and readiness for all move forward at once.
CQL consultants
provide continued support and feedback for up to 12 months. CQL provides the
organization, system, or community with recommended resources, consultants, and
change strategies for the action plan the organization has adopted. CQL can
assist in their choices and make recommendations for outside resources. CQL
provides periodic feedback on the implementation of the original or revised
plan and the attainment of objectives, measures of success, and timelines.