ABSTRACT

There is a dearth of literature related to the formation and sustainability of centers of excellence, particularly in social and child welfare. This study was conducted to explore the concept of a “center of excellence” to answer key questions about how they were launched and funded, the products and services offered, their structure and function, and organizational challenges and successes experienced. Two methods of inquiry were employed – a content analysis of 48 centers of excellence websites, and individual interviews with representatives from 13 centers. Results demonstrated a wide variety in terminology used to identify the work of centers of excellence, despite commonality in organizational structures and functions. Core considerations for success and sustainability are identified and include clearly articulating the center’s mission, key functions, and services provided, fostering commitment and collaboration, identifying the most appropriate organizational structure, being flexible and responsive to diverse and changing contexts, developing an infrastructure and plan for growth, and ensuring diversity in funding streams. Finally, applications of findings in context of the Family First Prevention Services Act are described. This study serves as a tool to help strategize around the feasibility and development of an effective and sustainable center of excellence.

摘要

缺乏与卓越中心的形成和可持续性相关的文献，特别是在社会和儿童福利方面。这项研究旨在探索“卓越中心”的概念，以回答有关它们如何启动和资助、提供的产品和服务、它们的结构和功能以及组织面临的挑战和成功的关键问题。采用了两种调查方法——对 48 个卓越中心网站的内容分析，以及对来自 13 个中心的代表的个人访谈。结果表明，尽管组织结构和职能存在共性，但用于识别卓越中心工作的术语多种多样。确定成功和可持续性的核心考虑因素，包括清楚地阐明中心的使命，关键职能和提供的服务，促进承诺和协作，确定最合适的组织结构，灵活应对多样化和不断变化的环境，开发基础设施和增长计划，并确保资金流的多样性。最后，描述了调查结果在《家庭第一预防服务法》背景下的应用。这项研究可作为一种工具，帮助围绕有效和可持续卓越中心的可行性和发展制定战略。描述了调查结果在《家庭第一预防服务法》中的应用。这项研究可作为一种工具，帮助围绕有效和可持续卓越中心的可行性和发展制定战略。描述了调查结果在《家庭第一预防服务法》中的应用。这项研究可作为一种工具，帮助围绕有效和可持续卓越中心的可行性和发展制定战略。