2006/2007 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 March 22, 2006.

GOALS

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

2. Conduct a review of current ECHO projects and publish 5-year overview.

3. Revise and improve policies, procedures and criteria for 2006/2007 where needed including a review of eligibility requirements for applicants and projects and scoring.

4. Accept and review the sixth cycle of applications and recommend to the County Council projects for grant awards in 2006/2007.

5. Maximize the timeline of the ECHO process.

6. 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 2006/2007 Application at a public meeting for final input.

• Present the 2006/2007Application 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

April 2006

• Election of ECHO Board officers

• Staff surveys potential applicants on application procedures and criteria.

• Staff conducts survey of potential projects for 2006/2007 & 2007/2008 grant cycle.

• ECHO board elects 2006/2007 officers.

• ECHO board meets to set 2006/2007 goals and strategic plan.

• ECHO board begins annual application review.

May 2006

• Workshop held for the County Council and the ECHO Advisory Board if required.

• County staff conducts public application workshop for potential applicants.

• ECHO board reviews workshop feedback and completes final changes to the 2006 ECHO Application.

June 2006

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

• County Council agenda requesting approval of 2006/2007 ECHO Applications/Guides.

July 2006

• 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, July 19 on the west side, and Friday, July 21 on the east side).

September 2006

• Technical Completeness Review deadline (proposed Thursday, September 28, received by 4 p.m.). Moved from October

October 2006

• Technical Completeness Review responses mailed out by staff (proposed Friday, October 20).

December 2006

• Grant application deadline (proposed Thursday, December 7 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 2007

• Board determines final eligibility list Wednesday, January 10, 3 p.m.

• Board receives all eligible applications for review Wednesday, January 10.

February 2007

• Grant Review Panel ranks applications. Wednesday, February 21, 8a.m. – 5p.m.

March 2007

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

April 2007

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

May – August 2007

• 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 2006/2007 to the County Council for review and final approval.