Case Study #3: Four New York Head Start Programs Need to Develop Strategic Plans. While each program was required to develop a strategic plan, their limited funding was an impediment.

The Head Start programs decided to apply for a highly competitive grant funded by Fortune 500 companies. The grant would be awarded based upon applicants’ abilities to forge alliances with groups that would permit them to operate more efficiently. Our company was contacted to formulate a plan and to write the grant proposal.

Objective: To assess each program and devise a plan that would enable them to operate more efficiently and provide more services.

Action Taken: A.) We met with all 4 programs and conducted interviews to determine the services each offered and each needed.

B.) We advised the programs to institute an agreement amongst themselves that would establish them as a larger entity and enable them to save money by: (1) Sharing one another’s services and resources; (2) Negotiating with vendors and suppliers for better rates; (3) Developing relationships with businesses who could provide sound advice and linkages. Because of their close proximity to one another, we advised them to establish an outreach program for providing services.

C.) We wrote a plan and grant proposal with detailed objectives and procedures for each program and the alliance.

Results: The Head Start programs were awarded the grant which made it possible for them to produce strategic plans for their
individual programs and for their newly formed alliance and to operate more efficiently.
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