How Will COMPASS Be Used?
There are numerous ways COMPASS data can be applied, many unforeseen. The Community Partnership Committee's greatest hope is that COMPASS will be used as a springboard to launch whatever ideas people have to improve our community, be that through human service programs, government, education or more. With that said, possible uses of COMPASS include:
Community Organizations and Service Providers can use COMPASS for a variety of reasons. For example, it is a quick research tool for grant writing. Agencies can also use COMPASS to post their outcome statistics, showing how they have helped impact a particular need-a report to the community, if you will. They can use it to help demonstrate need for their programs or to determine where the gaps are and collaborate with other similar agencies to fill such a gap. COMPASS can also help assess long-term program impacts by providing answers to such questions as: 'Does our program need to expand?' or 'Are we having an impact at the community level?' Overall, COMPASS can help agencies prioritize where they want to invest their time and efforts and eventually avoid duplicating services offered by other agencies.
Funders, such as United Way and local foundations can use COMPASS to prioritize their spending. By having this objective source of information, funders can truly see which are the greatest community needs and fund accordingly. Then, a few years later, they can measure progress on a community-wide basis. COMPASS lets funders take a systemic approach to funding so their dollars can have a lasting impact.
Local Governments such as the County and cities can use COMPASS to develop policies and programs designed to impact priority areas, to prioritize internal funds, to justify the need for external dollar and, eventually, collaborate with other organizations to address key issues.
Educators can use COMPASS to prioritize program funding. It can help administrators decide which curriculum is most needed by letting them keep an eye on vital measures like math and science scores, graduation rates, or even the physical health of students.
Special interest groups, such as environmentalists and crime prevention groups can use COMPASS to track issues important to them over the long-term. The data can help them make decisions on what actions they want to take, such as forming a community initiative or developing a community education program.
The community-at-large can use COMPASS simply to stay more informed on issues that matter to them. For example, a person could track air quality or the amount of open space preserved over time. COMPASS gives people quick answers to questions about
The Media can use COMPASS as a valid source for research and assessment on a wide range of community issues. Data has to be compiled into one easy to use research resource.
Business and Industry can use COMPASS to determine where best to meet increase demands for products and services. Valid data and research will allow for a more informed decision on where to place financial and human resources.
Anyone can use COMPASS to unite over particular issues. It could eventually be used to create a long-term, community-wide plan to improve the quality of life in
COMPASS is a community status report that is continually updated and expanded. It is free to anyone, but is maintained by the Community Partnership Committee and is facilitated by United Way of Greater