Organizations often wish to sustain interventions they have found to be beneficial. Planning for sustainment is a key component of program planning and implementation. This is particularly true of interventions that are initiated through grant funding. Sustainability planning is most effective when it begins early and includes key partners. Find resources on this page that highlight the importance of sustainability planning and provide examples of how to successfully plan for and sustain efforts.
Budgeting and Program Sustainability
National Center on Substance Abuse and Child Welfare
Offers resources discussing the importance of budget and program sustainability including access to the National Center on Substance Abuse and Child Welfare’s Sustainability Planning Toolkit.
The Exploration, Preparation, Implementation, and Sustainment (EPIS) Framework
The California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse (CEBC) for Child Welfare (2017)
A framework adopted by CEBC that is based on existing research on implementation. EPIS was developed specifically for use in child welfare and similar service sectors.
Funding and Sustainability
Children and Family Futures
Describes the training and technical assistance Children and Family Futures has provided to Tribes, States, counties, and community agencies and highlights featured resources and publications to be used for program sustainability.
Monitoring, Evaluating, and Applying Findings Video Series
Capacity Building Center for States (2019)
This video series offers guidance when working with evaluators and data analysts on program implementation and evaluation, including how the findings apply to an organization's change and implementation process.
Program Sustainability Assessment Tool
Washington University in St. Louis
Center for Public Health Systems Science
Provides interactive tools for understanding, assessing, reviewing, and planning for program sustainability.
Resource Guide for Building Sustainable Programs (PDF - 4,000 KB)
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Population Affairs (2019)
Offers practical tips and activities to help organizations develop a long-term sustainability plan. There are eight sections for factors that help form sustainability plans along with a sustainability assessment tool and additional resources on sustainability.
A Road Map to Quality Collective Impact Programming With Fiscal Independence
Annie E. Casey Foundation & Pennsylvania State University (2019)
Presents a case study on a coalition of organizations that have formed a collective impact program in Rhode Island and how they have achieved success, sustainability, and fiscal independence.
Sustainability
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Children's Bureau (2019)
Provides resources for project sustainability, including ones on the topic of community mobilization and sustainability, cost analysis, and sustainability planning.
Sustainability of Supportive Housing for Families in the Child Welfare System (PDF - 831 KB)
Burt (2019)
Urban Institute
Reports on the findings of a study conducted on the sustainability efforts of the Partnerships to Demonstrate the Effectiveness of Supportive Housing program that was funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Sustaining the Work or Initiative
Work Group for Community Health and Development, University of Kansas
Presents practical information and examples of ways to sustain a community initiative over time.