Dimension: Organizational Infrastructure
Organizational infrastructure consists of the systems, protocols, and processes that give structure to the organization, support its key functions, and embed routine practice. For a child welfare agency, infrastructure includes the policies and operating procedures that guide practice and build a shared understanding of how to deliver child welfare services. Infrastructure also includes an agency’s systems for operations—from human resources, training, supervision, and ongoing communication systems to data, evaluation, and continuous quality improvement (CQI) systems.
An organization’s structures, processes, and systems institutionalize practices, procedures, and rules to ensure their consistent execution regardless of staff or leadership changes. The organizational infrastructure also supports the organization in carrying out its vision, mission, goals, and values.
Organizational infrastructure often sets the foundation for other organizational capacities. For example, recruitment and staff selection processes lead to the availability of adequate workforce resources. Similarly, training systems help build staff knowledge and skills.
Agency leaders need to assess their organizational infrastructure in light of current and future goals, internal needs (e.g., staffing, supervision), innovations (e.g., new programs and initiatives), and external pressures (e.g., legislative mandates, consent decrees, partnership agreements). Exploration of infrastructure at the agency or program level may include the following considerations, for example:
- Does the decision-making structure provide timely guidance and support to implement desired practices and achieve agency or program goals?
- Does the agency have adequate policies and procedures in place to guide desired practices? How does the agency communicate and monitor those policies and procedures?
- Do human resources systems and recruitment processes effectively attract, select, and retain the right staff?
- How does the agency use training, supervision, and coaching to build staff competencies to ensure quality service delivery?
- Do current administrative systems (e.g., finance, accounting, and contracting) efficiently support goal achievement?
- How do communication systems aid in the timely exchange of needed information within the agency? How do communication systems support effective communication and collaboration between the child welfare agency and external partners?
- How does the agency use data, evaluation, and CQI to assess performance and inform improvements?
- In what areas does the agency have strong and stable infrastructure, and in what areas does the agency need improvements?
Subdimensions of Organizational Infrastructure
Learn more about the subdimensions of organizational infrastructure.
- Governance and decision-making structures
- Administrative structures
- Policies, operating procedures, and protocols
- Human resources, recruitment, and staff selection
- Training system
- Supervisory and coaching system
- Service array and service delivery system
- Information system and data supports
- Evaluation, quality assurance, and continuous quality improvement systems
- Communication systems (internal)
- Communication systems (external)
Publications and Resources
Access publications and resources that support child welfare agencies in examining and strengthening organizational infrastructure within selected subdimensions.