Program planning involves, at the outset, assessing the readiness (e.g. capacity and willingness) of your organization to offer a new program to promote healthy aging. If the capacity and willingness are there, the next steps include:
- Selecting a program that best fits the goals of your organization and the needs of your constituency (target population).
- Securing an adequate budget to implement the program.
Making program planning decisions
Program Planning involves two major decisions. First and foremost is the decision to commit to implementation of the program, including the time, effort, and resources that will be needed.
The second decision is to identify and address the step-by-step process for carrying out critical aspects of implementation. This includes planning for the structure and time frame of the program, determining staffing needs, training personnel, deciding on space and equipment needs for delivering the program, and determining what will be measured and/or monitored.
Adequate planning is necessary to set priorities for carrying out activities associated with program implementation and is critical to the success of any new program. A participatory planning approach increases the chance of success.
Resources to help with program planning
Innovation Readiness Assessment
This web-based tool can help organizations determine whether or not they are ready to offer two widely implemented evidence-based programs—the Stanford Chronic Disease Self-Management Program and the A Matter of Balance falls prevention program.
Once the online assessment is completed, a real-time electronic report of their “readiness” to offer the program will be received. Readiness is defined as an organization’s capacity and willingness to implement the program for older adults successfully in their community. The tool provides an overall score and suggestions on how to improve the score.
- A Matter of Balance Innovation Readiness Tool
- Chronic Disease Self-Management Innovation Readiness Tool
This chart can help organizations select an evidence based program. It includes information about program goals, requirements, costs, and more.
The Community Toolbox, Chapter 18, describes what a participatory planning approach is, when it is or is not appropriate, who should be involved, and what steps are necessary to get the process going.
This framework is often used to plan programs, and it can improve the chances of success of the program in a real-world setting. The framework includes the following elements: Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance.
This toolkit was developed to guide organizations through a series of steps and decisions to facilitate their ability to provide evidence-based programming for older adults.
When planning, it is important to involve those who are affected by or have an interest in the program, including potential participants and community leaders or decision makers. The Community Tool Box, Chapter 7, explains the process of identifying and involving stakeholders.