UNLEASH the POWER of theSystem Integration

Integration and Service System Planning: The Literacy Sector’s Path

Literacy Service Planning in The Early YearsFocused solely on the services provided by each literacy agency

NowPlanned within the broader context of the Employment Ontario system – integrating LBS within the EO, EDU, MCI and MTCU system

Expanded System

Then Now

Literacy Sector

An integrated training and employment system that supports seamless client pathways

Literacy Sector

Education Sector

Immigration

Employment Sector

Apprenticeship

A group of interacting, interrelated or interdependent elements forming a complex whole

An “integrated whole”

A way of looking at reality that emphasizes the relationships among the system’s parts rather than the parts themselves

What is a system?

The Ministry of Children and Youth Services (MCYS) has provided definitions...

Integration

Means focusing on client and community needs rather than on the mandate of a particular agency or organization

Means local programs and services are delivered according to a community plan that is based on information about the needs of local children and families

Integration

It may include the consolidation of resources, the co-location of different service functions and/or re-engineering of existing resources

Families are able to find the services they want and need

Seamless Service Experience It means that programs and services are so well

connected that people may actually perceive services as being delivered by one agency, though they might actually be delivered by multiple agencies

Seamlessness is about connecting services in such a way that transitions between different services disappear

All in a Word: Approaches to Inter-Organizational Endeavours

cooperation

coordination

alliance

integration networks

partnership

Common Elements It is a process There are mutual goals or results Synergy occurs (synergy is the power to combine the

perspectives, resources and skills of groups of people and organizations)

It is a relationship including two or more organizations

MTCU uses the term service coordination

Integration and Service System Planning

Many frameworks present a continuum of inter-organizational relationships that typically have between four and five stages, with “integration” or “collaboration” being the end stage

At this stage, inter-sectoral organizations have a shared vision and common outcomes, and planning is done together to respond to the needs of the community

It is key to define what level of relationship you desire as a group

Components of System

Integration

Awareness Coordination Collaboration Integration

MCYS Integration Continuum

There is no “right”or “wrong” placeto be on the continuum. All agenciesfit on the spectrum.

Service Planning Integration Continuum

Planning table members are aware of the programs represented at the table; however, they plan for and deliver their respective individual programs separately according to their own mandate and goals

Components of System

Integration

Awareness Coordination Collaboration Integration

Service Planning Integration Continuum

Planning table members share their program plans with the table and modify their own service planning to avoid duplication, or to improve links among organizations

Components of System

Integration

Awareness Coordination Collaboration Integration

Service Planning Integration Continuum

Some planning table members jointly plan programs and services, and modify their own services as a result of mutual consultations and advice

Components of System

Integration

Awareness Coordination Collaboration Integration

Service Planning Integration Continuum

Planning table members plan their programs within a common vision with a clear understanding of their respective goals which fulfill the vision for the community

The group plans for the system of programs and services for the community

Components of System

Integration

Awareness Coordination Collaboration Integration

System Integration

Service Coordination

Partnership Development & Service Delivery

Facilitated Interaction

Networking and Information Sharing

Source: Ramsay, Anne, Lorri Sauve and Matthew Shulman. (October 2010). Enhancing Pathways: The Literacy and Language Continuum. Project READ Literacy Network. Retrieved from http://www.enhancingpathways.ca/EnhancingPathwaysFinalReportFeb2011.pdf.

Learnings from Others

Community Integration Leaders Project

Shares the strategies and processes developed by different communities

Highlights lessons learned and opportunities to continue building on previous work

Toronto, London, Sudbury, Hastings/Prince Edward County

For more information about MCYS’s Community Integration Leaders Project, click here

Lessons LearnedFactors important in supporting movement toward integration:

Strong support and buy-in for integration from partner agencies

A community vision A strong community champion(s) for integration/

leadership An incremental approach Community development approach Movement with purpose and pace Identified need for better services for clients

Important Role of Local LeadersEffective leadership was identified as the most important mechanism to facilitate a community planning process. Leaders can come from any organization in the community. Building leadership capacity in communities, particularly in communities currently lacking effective leaders, was identified by partners as an important next step

Successful Community Planning ProcessesSuccessful communities took deliberate steps to build relationships between partners, used information to understand the community’s assets, challenges and resources, and used a community development planning approach

“The personalities and commitment of the people at the table are critical to the success of the project.”

- Sudbury

Discussion Questions

1. What does system integration (from a service planning perspective) look like for us (in its ideal state)?

2. What system strengths can we leverage/ build on?

3. What system challenges need to be addressed to make planning in this way successful?

Forcefield Analysis Activity

Discussion Questions

4. What steps can we take to move forward with system integration?

Reflection

What learnings and reflections do I have from this session?

What are some potential actions for my Regional Network?

Wrap Up and Questions

References

Ministry of Children and Youth Services. (July 2011). Defining Integration: A Best Start Working Paper. Province of Ontario.

Ontario Best Start website (http://beststart.children.gov.on.ca)

Ramsay, Anne, Lorri Sauve and Matthew Shulman. (October 2010). Enhancing Pathways: The Literacy and Language Continuum. Project READ Literacy Network. Retrieved from http://www.enhancingpathways.ca/EnhancingPathwaysFinalReportFeb2011.pdf.

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