Accomplishments & 2020 Goals
By the end of 2020, La Colectiva de Delaware will build its capacity – both its network and administrative structure – by engaging the Latino community and supporting organizations. Working and learning together, we will promote collaborative planning that will lead to long-term partnerships and sustainable programs that coach and empower families to connect with needed, culturally-sensitive services.
- Strengthen support structure, and community relationships and partnerships by:
- Building a Steering Committee with community leaders representing major administrative and program areas.
In 2019, 9 committee members met monthly to plan La Colectiva’s future.
- Providing at least 4 La Colectiva Network Convenings with educational speakers, networking and program updates.
In 2019, 3 Network Convenings brought together over 200 participants representing over 50 organizations.
- Support growth and involvement of Latino community groups
- Assisting with the activities of at least 3 community-led or school-sponsored groups – connecting them to La Colectiva’s collaborative opportunities.
In 2019, a Latino student cohort at Sussex Central High School benefitted from a partnership between Dual School, Strive, DHSS and IRSD to scale The Give Me 5 Program (created by Kim Taylor, IRSD). As change agents, students increased their sense of belonging, confidence, empowerment and leadership while proposing ways to approach common challenges facing their community.
In 2019, La Colectiva supported the efforts UD professor, Dr. April Veness, who fostered the creation of the Hispanic Parent Student Mentor Association and the “Yes, We Are Going to College initiative” – along with Teen Sharp, DE Campaign for Achievement Now, and Stand by Me. The program connects students and parents with the resources and information to prepare for college.
- Incorporate the use of research and practices that advance successful approaches to collaborative work and collective impact.
- Building the capacity to address issues with relevant approaches to Sussex County’s Latino Community by understanding assets, opportunities and immigration status.
2019 completion and presentation/discussion of findings of the “Perspectives on a Diverse Latino Population in Sussex County, Delaware” – a collaboration between Delaware Community Foundation, the Arsht-Cannon Fund, and La Colectiva.
- Understanding successful philosophies and methods to build organizational capacity and collaborative programs.
- Applying research findings from “Perspectives on a Diverse Latino Population in Sussex County, Delaware”.
- Prioritize the development and implementation of the Family Coaching and Navigation System
- Planning and piloting of the Resource Navigation system.
In 2019, key community “navigation” experts (La Esperanza, Family Voices, Parent Information Center, DE Breast Cancer Coalition, etc.) began to develop and pilot the system. During the pilot, 85% of clients successfully accessed needed services provided by over 21 partner agencies.
- Developing a robust system of family coaching and navigation based at La Esperanza Community Center and surrounding services/program providers.
Development of coaching and navigation system components, including community network capacity-building, continues. Guías (family guides) continue to be hired and developed in their roles with plans for community placement. Beyond basic triage, this program supports case management that empowers clients to design pathways to resources needed.
- Investigate opportunities to design year-round, high-quality middle-school-aged youth (summer and after-school) programming,
- Planning with community partners to create and fund successful year-round programs.
During the summer of 2019, La Colectiva collaborated with Summer Learning Collaborative, La Esperanza and Georgetown Middle School to expand Tyler’s Camp to 6 weeks for 125 middle school students (45% Latino). Tyler’s Camp (in its third summer in Sussex County) prevents the summer learning gap – providing academic opportunities, supporting personal development.
- Build at least 3 additional Collaborative Planning Teams” focused on developing programs and services in the greatest areas of opportunity.
- Preparing CPT Guidelines, guidance and support, and funding opportunities
CPT description (and Idea Proposal Form) developed, La Colectiva’s guidance and funding available starting after Fall, 2019 Network Convening
- Refocusing on Family Literacy Program Needs
Reviewing interest, available resources, and data collected in 2019 pilot programs for Conversation Circles, integrated academic / GED instruction in Spanish, etc.
