Information To Know Before You Submit Your Program to the Portfolio (Please Read!)

A. Definitions

UPSTREAM

Upstream is an emphasis on prevention-focused intervention and policies for children, families, individuals, and the community to increase equality and promote opportunities that reduce future monetary and societal costs.

PROGRAMS

Throughout the community, there are many categories of activities that may reflect upstream principles. In these documents, the term "programs" is broadly defined to include a variety of activities that may be also be called interventions, strategies, practices, approaches, or policy change. It is the intent of the Upstream Ad Hoc Board Committee to be inclusive and include a wide variety of "programs."

CLIENTS

Similarly, throughout the community, County Departments and community partners provide services to community members. In these documents, the term "client" is broadly defined to include residents, participants, students, consumers, target populations, and communities served. Again, it is the intent of the Upstream Ad Hoc Board Committee to be included and to include a wide variety of "clients."

B. Purpose and Benefits of Portfolio

There is no existing, comprehensive and accurate portfolio of existing evidence based upstream programs throughout Sonoma County. Having such a portfolio will help the County and community partners to individually and collaboratively do the following:

• Increase the capacity of County Departments and community partners to apply for and receive funding related to Upstream investments.
• Identify existing effective and cost beneficial upstream programs and target funding and resources to these programs.
• Validate and acknowledge the effective work currently done throughout the county.
• Promote replication of successful and cost beneficial upstream programs.
• Identify and understand the gaps in upstream investments (including geographic gaps).
• Identify duplicate programs (if any) and make adjustments (if necessary).
• Plan to expand funding for and referrals to effective and cost beneficial upstream programs.
• Understand what upstream programs work best for which clients (one size does not fit all).
• Strengthen County/community partner collaborations and partnerships related to upstream programs.
• Explain to the community, to funders, and to clients why some upstream programs are selected over others.
• Demonstrate to taxpayers that the County makes wise, responsible and forward-thinking fiscal decisions.
• Expand County and public recognition of the value of investing in upstream programs and the value of children.
• Increase community commitment to upstream programs though volunteerism.
• Help to populate the 2-1-1 referral list.

C. Portfolio Creation Process

To populate the Upstream Portfolio, the Sonoma County Upstream Policy Committee will use the following process.

• Programs will submit a completed SUBMISSION FORM (technical assistance is available and encouraged).
• Two independent raters will review the submission and recommend placement (Tier 1, 2 or 3).
• Raters will recuse themselves from rating a program if they have a conflict of interest.
• The Sonoma County Upstream Policy Committee will review and approve the recommendation of the two independent raters.

D. Portfolio Contents

When published, the list will include the following information about the included programs and strategies. It is hoped that the list will be useful to a wide audience (Funders, Board of Supervisors, Department Heads, Program Managers, Clients, Volunteers, Taxpayers) for decision-making.

• Program name
• Evidence-Based Tier
• Organization name
• Contact name and information (phone, e-mail, address)
• Program website (if applicable)
• Program Description
• Prevention-focused category(s)
• Upstream factor(s) addressed
• Geographic location of services
• Target audience: annual number and type of clients served
• Annual program or strategy budget
• Funding source(s)
• Average program or strategy cost per client
• Effect size (if available)
• Overall cost benefit (if available)
• Cost benefit to Sonoma County (if available)

E. Disclaimer

Inclusion in the Portfolio of Upstream Programs indicates that the program meets the criteria set forth for the particular Tier; it does not constitute an endorsement of the program by the County of Sonoma.

To participate in the project, read the Instructions and submit an application.

To submit your program to this Portfolio of Model Upstream Programs, click the link below.

Home | Contact | Committee | Privacy | Disclaimer | Human Services Department | County of Sonoma
2010 Sonoma Upstream Investments, Jerry Dunn, Interim Director, Sonoma County Human Services Department
Use of this website signifies you agree to the Disclaimer and Privacy Policy.