RIFLI is at a crossroads. In recent years, we have grown by leaps and bounds. It is time to take a step back and make some collective decisions about where best to go from here. Critical choices must to be made— about program structure and design and related issues like assessment and standards. We need to develop  a realistic strategic plan that will help guide us to new levels of program quality and effectiveness. Based on meetings with component coordinators and feedback collected at the April staff retreat and through the program quality indicator surveys, the first draft of a strategic plan has been created. Many pieces need to be fleshed out or made more specific, but the outline that follows offers a basic idea of the major areas we will be addressing. Remember that this is only a first draft and that your suggestions and feedback are important and welcomed!

RIFLI Strategic Plan—Draft #1

Task 1

What:

Revise program Mission & Vision Statements. The mission will be redrafted to be more explicit. It will focus on our connection with the library and using the library to guide us in our program practice.

Who & How:

1.        Coordinators will look at a draft of the mission and vision and isolate some of the “problem” wording.

2.        We will present our thoughts to staff at the April 27th staff meeting for feedback.

3.        Louise, Naomi, Evelyn, Sherry and Karisa will meet in May to prepare it for the steering committee meeting.

4.        Steering committee will give feedback at meeting in early June.

5.        Final revisions will be made and used for grants and to guide the next phase of the strategic plan.

When: April 20-July 1 (short term goal). To be implemented by September 2005.

 

Task 2

What: Define “Family Literacy”

1.        Review the strengths of our current Family Literacy program and activities. In the retreat we discussed this and identified “one size does not fit all.” What does this mean for program design?

2.        Review family literacy standards

3.        What can it look like and what should it look like? What are the key guidelines we need to establish?

Who and How:

Administration and component coordinators, with input from staff and steering committee as appropriate.

When: April 27-Sept 2—5 (Short and Mid term goal). To be implemented September 2005-June 2006 and ongoing.

 

Task 3:

What: Redesign Program Structure and the program elements

1.        Question of staff organization: Do current team structures and individual job descriptions make sense? How do volunteers fit in?

2.        Why do we have open enrollment? Can we adopt Managed Enrollment?

3.        Multilevel classrooms?

Who and How:

1.        Staff will work on this after the Mission and Vision have been rewritten and “family literacy” has been defined for our program. The steering committee will be consulted.

2.        Managed enrollment will be addressed earlier with a Summer 2005 pilot of managed enrollment.

3.        Component coordinators and administration will brainstorm

4.        Steering committee will be consulted

5.        More retreats or other opportunities to work on strategic plan, program design, assessment and standards will be planned.

6.        Identify other areas to work on related to program design/improvement.

When: June 1-September 2005 (Short and Mid term goal) .To be implemented June 2005-January 2006 (in stages and as able to do)

 

Task 4:

What: Improve Communication

1.        External (but within the library): Discuss program with librarians, include Literacy more in library meetings, etc. Create a Quia Survey for librarians and library staff?

2.        Internal: All philosophies and procedures will be clear to all staff. Design a plan for orientation and training (include volunteers). Develop communication protocol with outside agencies. Develop a protocol for support services

Who and How:

Administration and coordinators will discuss with steering committee and library staff throughout the summer and fall.

When: August 2005-December 2006 (mid term and long term goal). To be implemented ongoing through 2007.

 

Task 5:

What: Improve professional development and curriculum design.

1.        Train teachers in Teaching and Learning Cycle with assessment that informs teacher and program practice.

2.        Continue to explore Content Standards, look at the research and various models from EFF, TESOL, and Family Literacy.

3.        Make a plan to implement standards.

Who and How:

1.        Component Coordinators will being to offer targeted professional development opportunities for staff under their charge ASAP.

2.        Administration will continue to research the standards and consult with the state DOE and other sources.

When: April 2005-December 2005 (Short, mid, and long-term goal). To be implemented ongoing through 2007.