what is “class”? a brief orientation to the class methodology
TRANSCRIPT
WHAT IS
“CLASS”?
A B R I E F O R I E N T A T I O N T O T H E C L A S S ME T H O D O L O G Y
ORIENTATION OBJECTIVES
By the end of this orientation you should:
• Understand the purpose of the ClASS framework
• Understand the main objectives of the ClASS visit
• Understand your role in each phase of the ClASS process
• Know how to best prepare for the assessment
• Understand how the ClASS modules will be used
• Assess capacity of USG-supported programs• Identify technical assistance needs and
available resources• Facilitate a process to determine next
steps• Be adaptable to country and program
specific needs
PURPOSE OF ClASS FRAMEWORK
WHAT IS CLASS? ( Adapted from Appreciative Inquiry)
ClASS led Action Planning
ClASS identified best practices
and considerations
ClASS identified improvement opportunities
ClASS identified strengths
Is Pragmatic
Seeks knowledgeable
action
Collective experimentation
Experiencing of “WHAT CAN BE”
Is Empowering
Seeks appreciative knowledge of the
unique context
Vision Logic
Ideals of “WHAT MIGHT BE”
Is Normative
Seeks practical knowledge
Collaborative dialogue and
choice
Consent of “WHAT SHOULD
BE”
Is Scientific/ Theoretical
Seeks sociorational knowledge
(interpretive)
Grounded Observation
Best of “WHAT IS”
ClASS ASSESSMENT OBJECTIVES
• Ensure that organizational systems, policies, and procedures are in place to accomplish stated program goals and objectives
• Assess the organization’s capacity to provide the funded services and manage funding
• Identify systems strengthening to enable organizations to enhance and sustain their programs and service delivery
• Identify program strengths and challenges and provide appropriate consultation to enhance capacity to provide quality services
Phase I: Initiation & Scope
Phase II: Planning & Preparation
Phase III: ImplementationPhase IV: Reporting &
EvaluationPhase V: Technical
Assistance & Action Planning
THE ClASS PROCESS
Phase I: Initiation &
Scope
Phase II: Planning & Preparation
Phase III: Implementation
Phase IV: Reporting & Evaluation
Phase V: Technical
Assistance & Action
Planning
INITIATION & SCOPE
Collaborate with the in-country USG team and implementing partners to plan the visit
Assist in developing the scope and defining the purpose of the assessment
Phase I
• Finalize scope of work• Identify best matched
consultant team to Scope of Work
• Recruit Consultants• Begin logistic
preparations for team• Conduct conference
calls with the Program and the Team
Finalize Scope of Work Provide advance documents Participate on conference
calls Assist in coordinating
logistics (as needed) Assist in identifying the staff
that will need to be available during the assessment
PLANNING & PREPARATIONPhase II
“The assessment team had strong competencies and approached organizations without bias, willing to learn from them… The pre-assessment document review was useful as the team had already acquainted themselves with the background information which made their comments more insightful.”
Partner Staff, Kenya, March 2010
• Conduct entrance meeting with in-country USG team/implementing partners• Conduct ClASS / interviews• Conduct exit conference with
in-country USG team/implementing partners
IMPLEMENTATIONPhase
III
Prepare informative “Entrance presentation” for ClASS team
Have documents on-site ready for review if they cannot be sent in advance
Have key staff available for interviews on the day(s) of the ClASS team visit
What to Include:• Brief synopsis of program
history/background, • Program/project aims, • Governance structure, • Organogram, • Grants management and
program monitoring activities, • Accomplishments, • Current challenges,• Perceived technical assistance
needs.
ENTRANCE PRESENTATIONPhase III
Try and limit the presentation to 30 minutes, covering an overview
of the program and program highlights.
TYPICAL CLASS ASSESSMENT SCHEDULE
• Opening meeting: (30-60 mins)• Introductions• Review of ClASS Process by HRSA representative• Short presentation by site/program staff (overview of
program services)• Discussion about days schedules/confirm staff to be
interviewed• Assessment/Interviews (4-6 hours over 1-2 days)• Debriefing session at the end of the day to review
assessment (1 hour)
Phase III
• Synthesize Program Strengths Opportunities for Improvement• Develop recommendations for
final report• Share draft with partners and
sites for comments• Collect feedback from all
participants in the process via online survey• Finalize report and share with
CDC and local partners
REPORTING & EVALUATIONPhase IV
Review the draft report, make comments, suggestions, provide clarification
Finalize action plan Complete the online
survey on the ClASS process
• Work with implementing partners to develop Action Plans based on assessment Opportunities for Improvement
• Identify existing technical assistance resources
FOLLOW-UP & TECHNICAL ASSISTANCEPhase V
Coordinate and monitor capacity development or action plan activities
“The assessment highlighted in a very practical way areas that required improvement and offered some very constructive suggestions. The CIASS team conducted a very friendly review and their affirmations were a great encouragement to staff.”
Site Staff, Kenya, March 2010
ClASS MODULE DESIGN
• Guiding document for reviewers• Lists core competencies in each
area and has open-ended questions
• Reference for reviewers to use while writing the final report
• Gauge to assess technical assistance needs
CLASS MODULES The Leadership and Management module
Covers leadership, management, supervision, and policy and advocacy. Policy and advocacy competencies explored by this ClASS module include organizational strategy, resource mobilization, community formation and mobilization, and advocating for public health for key populations at national, state, district, and local levels.
The Financial module
Helps review income and expenditures, charges and fees, billing and collections, accounting systems, accounts payable and cash flow, fixed assets, inventory and purchasing, payroll, revenue, cost allocation, financial monitoring, and grants management.
The Administrative module
Assesses organization structure and management, governance, strategic planning, personnel policies and procedures, clinical personnel issues, licenses and certifications, risk management and liability protection, facility buildings and equipment, networking, collaboration, linkages, and management information systems.
For additional information or to view the ClASS modules in their entirety please visit the online toolkit at http://classtoolkit.org/assessment-tools
Areas for collaboration include:
Identifying the scope and nature of the assessment
Selecting representative sites to be visited
Providing advanced documents well in advanced of the visit
Making staff available for interviews Preparing an informative “Entrance
Presentation” Accompanying the assessment team Reviewing the assessment report and
providing recommendations Leveraging existing technical
assistance resources
KEY AREAS FOR COLLABORATION
KEY SUMMARY POINTS• The ClASS visit is designed to assess the capacity of USG supported
programs and to facilitate a process to determine capacity and transition readiness (if appropriate)
• Two modules (administrative, financial) are used to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the organization’s current capacity to manage grant funds.
• The modules are not meant to be a checklist but rather a guide for reviewers during the on-site interviews and a reference for writing the final report
The ClASS framework has been piloted, refined, and structured for quality
improvement. The approach is supported by the prepared implementation, training, and project management resources. These
materials, in addition to the modular tools, are now available online at:
http://www.classtoolkit.org.