Communities of Excellence 2026

During the organization's two year pilot phase (2014-2015), the organization has identified three Communities that intend to serve as pilot settings for the testing and implementation of the Communities of Excellence framework. During this pilot phase, the organization has engaged in cross-sector collaboration within the pilot Communities to implement the framework which was adapted from the baldrige criteria for performance Excellence. This process has involved meetings with various local officials and leaders for the purpose of providing training, mentoring, skill-building, research, knowledge of best practices, and financial and coaching resources in assisting the Communities in establishing community criteria for quality, goals, measuring progress and criteria for sustainability. The organization has engaged the services of a consultant for purposes of coordinating and implementing these actions. Expenses incurred have been primarily for compensation of the consultant and related travel and training expenses. In 2017 and 2018 initial conferences of participating Communities were held for the purpose of furthering the above mentioned objectives.