2007/2008 Main goals and strategic plan

ECHO Grants-in-Aid home page

The following goals, strategic plan and timeline of events were established at the Goal Setting Session of the ECHO Advisory Committee on April 11, 2008.

GOALS

1. Conduct a survey to update the list of future potential projects.

2. Conduct quarterly reviews of current ECHO projects.

3. Revise and improve policies, procedures, and criteria for 2007/2008 where needed including a review of eligibility requirements for applicants, projects, and scoring.

4. Accept and review the 7th cycle of applications and recommend to the County Council projects for grant awards in 2007/2008.

5. Maximize the timeline of the ECHO process.

6. Continue to enhance public relations efforts regarding ECHO program accomplishments.

STRATEGIC PLAN-To be accomplished in the following order:

• Survey potential applicants on the application procedures and criteria.

• Seek input from the County Council on grant application policies and procedures.

• Refine the existing application’s format and language.

• Present the 2007/2008 Application at a public meeting for final input.

• Present the 2007/2008 Application to the County Council for final approval.

• Continue the mandatory application workshop policy and require that all applicants attend the Grant Review Panel meeting.

• Continue to encourage Applicants to personally meet with County staff to discuss their specific ECHO project.

• Continue to encourage Applicants to take advantage of the County staff’s Completeness Review that assists in identifying if the application includes all necessary elements.

TIMELINE

May 2007

• Election of ECHO Board officers

• ECHO board elects 2007/2008 officers.

• ECHO board meets to set 2007/2008 goals and strategic plan.

• ECHO board begins annual application review.

June 2007

• Staff surveys potential applicants on application procedures and criteria.

• Staff conducts survey of potential projects for 2007/2008 & 2008/2009 grant cycle.

July/August 2007

• ECHO Applications/Guides approved by the Board and prepared for the County Council’s approval.

• County Council agenda requesting approval of 2007/2008 ECHO Applications/Guides.

• ECHO staff forwards quarterly report of project to the County Council, the ECHO Board, and distributes to the public.

August 2007

• Promote grant application availability via press releases and on web page.

• E-mail release on availability of ECHO staff for personalized meetings with applicants.

• Mandatory application workshops held (proposed Wednesday, August 8 on the west side, and Friday, August 10 on the east side).

September 2007

• Technical Completeness Review deadline (proposed Thursday, September 27, received by 4 p.m.).

October 2007

• Technical Completeness Review responses mailed out by staff (proposed Friday, October 19).

• ECHO staff forwards quarterly report of project to the County Council, the ECHO Board, and distributes to the public.

December 2007

• Grant application deadline (proposed Thursday, December 6 received by 4 p.m.).

• County staff, including Legal and Finance, review applications for completeness and eligibility.

• ECHO Grant Coordinator notifies applicants who submitted “Incomplete” applications.

January 2008

• Board determines final eligibility list Wednesday, January 9, 3 p.m.

• Board receives all eligible applications for review Wednesday, January 9.

• ECHO staff forwards quarterly report of project to the County Council, the ECHO Board and distributes to the public.

February 2008

• Grant Review Panel ranks applications. Wednesday, February 27, 8a.m. – 5p.m.

March 2008

• Grant Award Recommendations are taken to County Council for final approval.

April 2008

• Grant funds are made available for expenditure by the Grantee.

• ECHO staff forwards quarterly report of project to the County Council, the ECHO Board and distributes to the public.

May – July 2008

• ECHO Board reviews the ECHO program to evaluate how well the ECHO program is meeting the goals set forth in Resolution 2000-156.

• ECHO Board conducts summer review of the ECHO Application and process.

• ECHO Board presents recommended application for grant cycle 2008/2009 to the County Council for review and final approval.

August – September 2008

• 2008/2009 Grant cycle begins with mandatory workshops conducted by ECHO staff.