Building Neighborhood Capacity

The Center for Study of Social Policy will focus on the following goals: 1) develop and assess training and technical assistance (TTA) that enables developing-capacity neighborhoods to produce a neighborhood revitalization plan that improves outcomes related to safety, education, housing, health, employment and other neighborhood priorities; 2) utilize a capacity-building framework to help each of five selected neighborhoods strengthen its ability and infrastructure to plan, implement, and sustain neighborhood revitalization and; 3) promote the neighborhoods' effective use of data to conduct needs assessments, set targets for developing deeper capacity, plan and monitor the implementation of targeted, research-based strategies calculated to improve results, ensure accountability, conduct fiscal analyses and map resources, and analyze and address policy barriers. NCA/NCF

The Center for Study of Social Policy (CSSP) will utilize this award to work with the Building Neighborhood Capacity Program's existing Capacity Building Team - the National League of Cities, the institute of Community Peace, and Prudence Brown - to extend current TTA which will allow CSSP to provide high-touch TTA to the existing neighborhoods. CSSP will also provide TTA for 24 months to one new neighborhood in each city, will ensure that BNCP neighborhoods receive the TTA they need to develop revitalization plans, using a mix of "high tech" and "high-touch" methods-i.e., an on-line Resource Center, leadership development and training for site directors, interactive training and skill building for neighborhood partnerships, "peer TA" in multiple forms, and extensive use of communities of practice. In addition, all twelve neighborhoods will be connected to and supported by cross-sector partnerships in order to ensure their capacity building and revitalization efforts are supported by city/county policies, programs and agendas, as well as with state and federal opportunities.

NCA/NCF

The Center for Study of Social Policy (CSSP) will utilize this supplemental award to conduct the following activities: Build upon the existing Building Neighborhood Capacity Program (BNCP) financing framework and approach to create developmentally appropriate tools and resources that help the neighborhoods develop results-driven financing plans for their revitalization strategies; Convene a meeting of neighborhood and cross-sector partner leaders and federal staff who are knowledgeable about funding streams and opportunities; Provide intensive financing support and assistance to the neighborhoods for an additional six months (October 2014-March 2015) and; Create case studies and vignettes that describe the neighborhoods' approaches to financing and how they are using capacity built through BNCP to better align existing and obtain new resources.

NCA/NCF