The NIQCA helps CAAs establish a practical, sustainable, and cost-effective program of continuous quality improvement. NIQCA management support services for local CAAs include:
- Best Practice Management Standards for local CAAs and tools to conduct a comprehensive, 12-step self-assessment and improvement planning process.
- A Team of Peer Reviewers who visit CAAs as part of their self-assessment process to independently review policies and evaluate organizational strengths and weaknesses.
- A Quality Improvement Toolkit that provides planning templates and model policies to assist local CAAs in strengthening their management and governance practices.
- Regional Trainings and a "Bank of Experts" to offer support and assistance to local CAAs.
- Resources to Support Regional CAA Planning, Collaboration, and Crisis Intervention.
Looking for Helpful Planning Resources?
Don't miss the wealth of CAA management tools available on this website. Visit our Planning Toolkit page or select from the topic list below:
Model Policies and Planning Templates
Web Links to Other Information
Most Recently Added Resources
Governance
- CAA Board Mentor Policy Template (NIQCA) (PDF, 110KB)
- Emergency Succession Plan (Center for Nonprofit Advancement) (PDF, 53KB)
- Strategic Board Recruitment: A Key to Building a Dynamic Board (Local Initiatives Support Corporation) (PDF, 1.2MB)
- Succession Planning for CAAs (NIQCA) (PDF, 61KB)
- Succession Planning and Executive Transition Management for Nonprofit Boards of Directors (The Annie E. Casey Foundation) (PDF, 693KB)
Information Technology
Human Resources
- Diversity in the Workplace: How to Create a Practical Diversity Plan (Saint Mary's Health Care) (PDF, 21KB)
Finance and Budget
- Fundamentals of Effective Program Budgeting and Reporting (PDF, 45KB)
- Governance & Accountability: Financial Best Practices Tune Up (Accounting Management Solutions) (PDF, 241KB)
Planning and Community Investment
Contact Information
William A. Hunter, Executive Director
Northeast Institute for Quality Community Action (NIQCA)
105 Chauncy Street, Suite 301
Boston, MA 02111
508.380.1398 - phone
978.443.0579 - fax
whunter@masscap.org
In the News
NIQCA Receives OCS ARRA Funding for 5 Massachusetts CAA Management Capacity-Building "Chalkboard" Seminars
The NIQCA has received federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding to offer 5 "Chalkboard" CAA Seminars on topics focused on addressing critical management risk mitigation issues. Seminar topics include IT Client Privacy Protection Security Planning; Fraud Prevention/Detection Strategies; Executive Compensation Best Practices; Executive Transition Planning; and Updated Enterprise Audit Control Policies. Seminars are targeted to CAA Executive/Senior Managers and Board members.
NIQCA Offers Massachusetts CAAs Consultation on Creating or Strengthening Strategic Alliances with Local/Regional Agencies/Organizations
With Office of Community Services (OCS) ARRA funding support, the NIQCA will offer up to 10 hours of professional consultation to 5 local CAAs that are seeking to develop or strengthen strategic alliances with local community-based organizations in order to expand/maintain essential services and promote operating efficiency and effectiveness.
NIQCA and Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) Collaborate in Designing an Integrated CAA/CSBG Monitoring and Best Practices Assessment Tool and Protocol
In an effort to promote excellence in the management and governance of CAAs in Massachusetts, DHCD and NIQCA staff have developed a pilot assessment tool and protocol that integrates CSBG compliance monitoring and NIQCA best practices assessment into a streamlined, uniform process that is undertaken once every 3 years.
NIQCA Develops Generic Non-Profit Agency Best Practice Assessment Tool
The NIQCA has developed a standardized, generic Assessment Tool for smaller nonprofit agencies to use to assess and strengthen management and governance policies and practices. For information, contact William Hunter, NIQCA Executive Director (508-380-1398 or whunter@masscap.org).
NIQCA Publishes "Chalk Board" Management Tips
Quick read suggestions on improving management performance on topics of Fraud Prevention (PDF, 53KB) and Dashboard Indicators (PDF, 48KB).
"Preventing Crisis – Promoting Excellence" Training Available
CAA Board training offered without charge. Contact Patsy Lewis (patclewis@charter.net) for information.