Sustainability Resources

Sustainability is more than budgets and funding.  It is actually a multi-faceted process that includes maintaining quality, impact, staffing, buy-in, and knowledge over time.  Coalitions and program providers will want to think about sustainability as part of an overall commitment to high quality implementation and getting the best possible outcomes for kids and families.  The following resources can help develop a sustainability plan that is not solely focused on the bottom line.

Sustainability Resources:

Sustainability Planning Checklist: This tool can help providers and coalitions think through the various facets of sustainability and develop a plan with practical action steps for tackling sustainability barriers.  This tool is best used at the beginning of a new project or grant- don't wait until funding is ending!

Accessing Needs-based Budgets: Pennsylvania county leaders and policy makers have a big job to do in managing budgets for social services.  This resource will help providers understand the steps to take to access needs-based budget dollars for sustaining their work.  A 2nd resource shows a timeline and the process that counties follow when planning budgets, and can help organizations plan for when to ask for new, continued, or increased funding for a program.  Hint- it's a THREE YEAR process so download this resource and start planning now! 

Medical Assistance Billing Frequently Asked Questions: This resource will help providers assess the potential for billing Medical Assistance (M.A.) as part of a sustainability plan for the program or practice being implemented.  Programs that can be categorized as medically necessary AND are delivered by qualified mental health professionals may be eligible to be billed to M.A..  The following programs from the EPIS menu might meet these criteria:

  •  Aggression Replacement Training
  • The Blues Program
  • Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for Trauma in Schools
  • Functional Family Therapy
  • The Incredible Years
  • Multisystemic Therapy
  • Positive Parenting Program
  • Trauma-focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Be sure to review the resource to learn more about determining your organization's eligibility to bill MA for the services you offer and to access information about how to get started with this process.