Self-Assessment Tool: Building Collaborations with Community-Based Partners

Focus Area: Community Partnerships

This tool will help organizations identify current relationships with local entities focused on education, training, employment, small business, and economic/financial opportunities for survivors. The goal of this exercise is to help identify existing collaborations and potential new collaborations to pursue.

Who should complete this self-assessment?

This tool is for organizational and program leaders administering economic empowerment programs and program staff who provide direct services. This tool may be useful in both crisis intervention and long–term programs.

Welcome to Self-Assessment Tool: Building Collaborations with Community-Based Partners

Instructions: The table below lists community-based economic empowerment partners or service providers that can support your program participants. For each line, select the answer that best describes your organization’s relationship with the provider type. This is a comprehensive list; it is likely that your program would benefit from collaboration with some, but not all, of these partner types. Responses to each row are not required.

Would a partnership with this type of program support my organization’s economic empowerment programs/clients?

Basic Needs & Supportive Services (Click to expand)

address common barriers survivors have in obtaining and maintaining economic opportunities
provide affordable childcare opportunities
provide low-cost mental health support
address legal barriers such as restraining orders, criminal record relief, immigration support etc.

	Yes, we have an established relationship.	Yes, but we need to establish a relationship.	I’m not sure. I need to know more.	No, not right now, or N/A
Housing Support
Transportation
Local Childcare Resources
Mental Health Services
Legal Services
Public Benefits: TANF, LIHEAP, SNAP, WIC
Victim Assistance Funds (VOCA)

Would a partnership with this type of program support my organization’s economic empowerment programs/clients?

Financial Literacy & Asset Building (Click to expand)

provide safe banking options for survivors (Bank On Standards)
provide financial literacy education workshops to survivors
support with credit repair
provide one on one financial coaching
improve survivors’ capacity for financial self-sufficiency/ self-efficacy
support with tax preparation

	Yes, we have an established relationship.	Yes, but we need to establish a relationship.	I’m not sure. I need to know more.	No, not right now, or N/A
Local bank or financial institution
Credit Union
Financial Educator(s)
Local first-time home buyer programs
Cash Assistance Programs

Would a partnership with this type of program support my organization’s economic empowerment programs/clients?

Job & Employment Training Programs (Click to expand)

provide on-site resume building, interviewing and job search support
provide enrollment assistance to survivors for apprentice and vocational training programs
develop a survivor specific cohort for an apprenticeship training program
Provide clothing for jobs and interviews

	Yes, we have an established relationship.	Yes, but we need to establish a relationship.	I’m not sure. I need to know more.	No, not right now, or N/A
American Job Center
Reentry Employment Training Program
Youth Job Training Program
Youth Build
Job Corps
WIOA Program
Apprenticeship Program
Vocational School (s)
Dress for Success (or similar local resource)

Would a partnership with this type of program support my organization’s economic empowerment programs/clients?

Small Business (Click to expand)

assist survivors with obtaining small business license and permits
provide small business coaching and support to survivors
connect survivors to financial resources and trainings that will support their small business development
Provide connections to small businesses and employers who can provide internships, job shadowing, mentorship and employment opportunities to survivors

	Yes, we have an established relationship.	Yes, but we need to establish a relationship.	I’m not sure. I need to know more.	No, not right now, or N/A
Local Small Business
Development Center (SDBC)
Minority Business Development Centers
Women’s Business Center
Local Business Incubators
Chambers of Commerce
Culturally Specific Chambers of Commerce
Rotary Clubs

Would a partnership with this type of program support my organization’s economic empowerment programs/clients?

Local Workforce Development or Economic Development Task Forces (Click to expand)

identify/access to funds to go towards survivor specific workforce development opportunities
help to design a pre/apprenticeship program for survivors in local industry
connection to employment partners

	Yes, we have an established relationship.	Yes, but we need to establish a relationship.	I’m not sure. I need to know more.	No, not right now, or N/A
Local Workforce Board
City Economic Development Department

Would a partnership with this type of program support my organization’s economic empowerment programs/clients?

Volunteers (Click to expand)

provide life and/or financial coaching

	Yes, we have an established relationship.	Yes, but we need to establish a relationship.	I’m not sure. I need to know more.	No, not right now, or N/A
Individual
Group