Contact: Jordan Coxe
Email: jcoxe@calcapa.org
Phone: 916-443-1721 Ext. 110
California Community Action Partnership Association Launches New Resource to Improve ROI of Safety Net Services
For Immediate Release
SACRAMENTO– On January 5th, 2024, the California Community Action Partnership Association (CalCAPA) launched the Social Return on Investment (SROI) Calculator, in conjunction with The Center for Applied Management Practices Inc., to assist local Community Action Agencies statewide to better determine and reveal the impacts Community Action Agencies’ family opportunities have on communities.
“As we move forward with increased need for opportunities for families of low income, we must be able to show the value to communities for the services that Community Action Agencies offer,” says David Knight, CalCAPA Executive Director.
In an effort to demonstrate the effectiveness, the California Community Action Partnership Association collaborated with Frederick Richmond, President of The Center for Applied Management Practices, Inc., to develop the Social Return on Investment Calculator. Introducing this innovative online tool is the first step to better understand the relationship between the cost of services and the value produced by successful programs. Using existing agency data, the SROI Calculator can help Community Action Agencies identify the most cost-effective and beneficial services and generate realistic performance expectations for its programs and services. SROI data supports informed decision-making processes– further helping Community Action Agencies utilize an evidence-based approach when advocating for legislation.
President of The Center for Applied Management Practices, Frederick Richmond, says, “the SROI Calculator provides an opportunity for Community Action Agencies to tell their story, that investing in Community Action produces positive outcomes for the client and an economic benefit to the greater community.”
A resourceful tool like the SROI Calculator expands Community Action Agencies ability to advance transparency in regard to the resources they allocate and the outcomes they achieve by tracking and assessing the social impact.
“Community Action is commonly able to measure a direct service to a direct outcome. By building the SROI calculator, agencies will have the ability to show value in long term outcomes for families and a social return to the community and the entire state. It gives us the ability to better tell our story,” continued David Knight.
ABOUT:
CalCAPA supports over 60 Community Action Agencies and CSBG Eligible Entities throughout California with the primary goal of strengthening communities by creating opportunities to overcome the causes and conditions of poverty. We strive to help low-income families reach self-sustainability by administering locally developed programs to meet the needs of each community. We also assist in ensuring federal and state funds are reaching citizens in the communities where they are intended. We have over 20,000 combined employees across California. Our 501 (C)3 non-profit organization was created nearly 60 years ago and administers over $1 billion in resources annually through programs including energy assistance, emergency services, food distribution, early childhood and adult education, financial literacy, job training, housing and homeless initiatives, and more. For more information, go to www.CalCAPA.org.
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