PROGRESS RESOURCES INC.

Management and Training  

for Nonprofit Organizations 

What does it mean to be poor? Currently there are two basic ways to define poverty.  To get a better measure of who needs help — and a better sense of how to provide it — society needs a third definition.

The first definition is absolute poverty — essentially, material destitution. Human beings need food, water and shelter, and if we can’t afford these things, life is pretty miserable. In the U.S., the federal government has poverty guidelines that are based on food consumption: If you make less than about three times the minimum amount people need to spend on food each year, you’re poor.

https:/www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2018-11-26/poverty-in-america-greater-than-statistics-indicate

This is what poverty in the US looks like right now (Ellen Cranley, Business Insider, 11/13/1

https:/www.businessinsider.com/poverty-in-america-photos-2018-11 

A Decision Maker’s Guide to Managing Multiple Databases,

A study done by the "Managing Multiple Databases Task Force"

February 2001

This is an exerpt from the study:

The need to manage multiple databases is an historical and on-going challenge.

During the early years of the information age, many Community Action Agencies (CAA’s) purchased and/or built databases to address their needs. Over the years, funding sources began to require the use of specific databases, many of them incompatible with one another. For example, some agencies have successfully integrated data from CSBG programs (Community Service Block Grant), Head Start and Energy Assistance. But they are required to use a separate database for WIC (Women, Infants, Children).

Moreover, the national Head Start office is strongly encouraging all grantees to use the HSFIS database (Head Start Family Information System).

In reporting and accountability, no one is in charge and everyone is in charge. The US Congress, federal agencies, state Legislatures, state agencies, and other funding sources all contribute to a local agency’s ever-changing reporting needs. These are added to an agency’s internal information requirements, involving service delivery and measurements of efficiency and results. Some agencies have chosen to use multiple databases because it seemed like the best route at the time. This is especially true if one considers databases for managing accounting/payroll, personnel/training, fundraising, mailing, event/project planning, transportation routing, etc.

What’s the basic problem with multiple databases? .....................................

For the full study, contact us at progressresourcesinc@gmail.com

Fall 2011 - report created for the Agency-Wide Information Systems Panel

This is an exerpt from the study published by the AIMS Panel:

During 2010-2011, the Agency-Wide Information Management Systems (AIMS) panel reviewed the current status of “enterprise” software systems used in states and agencies across the Community Action network. The AIMS panel works to encourage ongoing national collaboration on the topic of building capacity in the critical expertise required to effectively purchase and manage enterprise software systems. This document identifies the core functionality of existing client tracking systems based on the most current information available. Special emphasis has been given to the recent trend towards statewide shared systems. In addition to informing the network on the status of enterprise systems, the panel also solicited lessons learned and critical success factors from project managers and vendors. Based on these findings, this document provides future recommendations aimed at positively impacting current enterprise systems, as well as prospective new software implementations.

This information is offered to the Community Action network with the recommendation that future versions of this document be maintained through the oversight of a permanent body having an interest in building the capacity of states and agencies as they manage business processes using enterprise systems.

For a copy of the full study contact us at progressresourcesinc@gmail.com