The Challenge
The Family Resource Center Network of California (FRCNCA) is a statewide network of 47 Early Start family resource centers that support individuals with disabilities and their families to ensure they have what they need to thrive and belong. In 2024, the network sought VIVA’s support to develop its next five-year roadmap, a plan to unify efforts across the state, strengthen collaboration, and guide its strategic direction amidst an evolving landscape.
FRCNCA’s key questions centered on two major challenges:
- How can the network effectively engage its members in co-designing the vision for the next five years?
- What should its strategic direction be, given the current and emerging landscape and the evolving needs of its members?
The Approach
VIVA designed a four-phase strategic roadmap process grounded in collaboration and network learning.
Phase 1 - Network Learning: VIVA hosted a full-day planning retreat with the Steering Committee and reviewed documents and insights from past roadmap discussions. Building on this shared understanding, we developed and distributed a survey to capture the perspectives of FRC members across the state.
Phase 2 - Sensemaking: Using the survey data and reflections gathered from the retreat, VIVA facilitated a sensemaking session with an ad-hoc committee to review and interpret the findings.
Phase 3 - Defining & Planning: VIVA facilitated a series of planning discussions with the ad-hoc committee to translate insights into strategic direction.
Phase 4 - Planning and Development: VIVA drafted the five-year strategic roadmap, defining FRCNCA’s core purpose, desired outcomes, and strategic priorities.
The Impact
The resulting five-year strategic roadmap positions FRCNCA to operate with greater alignment, visibility, and shared purpose across its 47 member centers. It articulates a clear vision for the network’s role in advancing equity, strengthening partnerships, and amplifying the voices of families of children with disabilities. Most importantly, the roadmap ensures that FRCNCA is no longer the best-kept secret in California, but a visible, coordinated, and trusted leader in supporting families and communities statewide.