This report is part of a larger project funded by the federal government to determine the information system needs and capacities of community action agencies (CAAs) operating in Massachusetts as well as MASSCAP and to develop recommendations and initiatives to help MASSCAP and its members use information technologies to enhance their ability to help the people they serve achieve self-sufficiency.
The MASSCAP Information Technology (IT)Project began in 1998 and is made up of five phases:
Assessment of IT needs and capacities. Using a written survey that was completed by each of the state’s 25 CAAs and site visits to all these agencies at which standard questions were asked, the IT Committee and the project team gleaned comprehensive information about each agency's IT needs and capacities. These findings form the basis of this report.
MASSCAP Information Technology Conference. Based on the preliminary findings of the assessment phase, the MASSCAP IT Committee and the project team planned and conducted a conference focusing on several IT areas of interest to our members, including: client data collection and reporting issues, staff IT skills and education issues, IT-related resource needs, IT policies and procedures, IT planning, use of e-mail and the Internet, and more.
Report of the Findings of the Assessment Phase: A summary of the findings of the assessment phase along with recommendations for technical assistance.
Technical Assistance: MASSCAP will implement several initiatives to help its members use information technologies to better pursue their missions.
MASSCAP Web Site Expansion: MASSCAP will update its Web site with information from the report and add a new section with detailed information about the many services provided by each CAA across the state.
In this report, MASSCAP details general and specific IT-related needs, issues, and capacities of its members. In addition, we provide a comprehensive set of recommendations and suggestions for MASSCAP and its member agencies related to IT activities and initiatives.
It is not our intention to suggest that each of these recommendations be followed by every individual CAA. We recognize that each agency has different needs, capabilities, and resources. Some recommendations may be appropriate and others may not.
It is, however, our hope that these recommendations will provide both the Association and its members with food for thought, some inspiration on how to proceed, and good ideas for initiatives that will further help us cross the "digital divide" and enhance the way we use information technology as we work to help low-income people in Massachusetts become self-sufficient.
Title Page
Acknowledgements
Introductory Letter from the Chair of MASSCAP's IT Committee
Executive Summary