About Pathways to Excellence

Pathways to Excellence is a program that supports Community Action Agencies (CAAs) in their commitment to organizational improvement and excellence. The program includes a structured process of self-assessment, planning, and capacity building, all designed to enhance agencies’ ability to achieve their missions and make a meaningful impact in their communities.

Tiered Approach to Excellence

The Pathways program uses a tiered approach, allowing CAAs to engage at different levels based on their current capacity and goals. This approach ensures agencies can build on their strengths while addressing areas of improvement at a pace that suits them. Each tier is structured to help agencies align with national standards, adopt best practices, and strengthen their organizational foundation for long-term success.

  • At the Bronze Level, the agency takes the initial step toward excellence by learning more deeply about the Standards of Excellence and beginning to move beyond the threshold levels of the Organizational Standards.
  • At the Silver Level, the agency invests in training staff in the standards and their documentation. The CAAs participating in the Silver Level form a cohort to experience the level together with fellow excellence peers. Sliver Level CAA staff participate in Pathways Implementer training and T/TA activities primarily within this cohort setting.
  • At the Gold Level, the agency invests in a thorough assessment of its achievement of each of the Standards of Excellence. The CAAs participating in the Gold Level form a cohort to experience the tier together with fellow excellence peers. Gold Level CAA staff participate in the Agency Self-Study e-course training and T/TA activities primarily within this cohort setting.
  • At the Platinum Level, the agency demonstrates its achievement of the Standards of Excellence, onsite, before a team of experienced peer reviewers who confirm the CAA’s achievement of Excellence. Successful completion of the level results in achieving the Award for Excellence.

Learn More with our Pathways At-a-Glance. Check out our Current Price List here.

Pathways At-A-Glance
Current Price List

National Standards of Excellence

The program is guided by the Community Action Standards of Excellence, a comprehensive framework that highlights best practices in leadership, strategic planning, customer service, measurement, analysis, and performance management, human resources, organizational processes, and results. These standards serve as a roadmap for CAAs striving for performance excellence.

To request a copy of the Standards of Excellence, email us at [email protected]

Enroll Now for the Spring Cohort of Pathways to Excellence

Deadline to Enroll: February 21, 2025

We’re now enrolling agencies for the Silver and Gold tiers of Pathways to Excellence. Join us to dive deep into the Standards of Excellence, learn best practices, and connect with your peers in the community action field.

2025 SPRING COHORT VIRTUAL MEETING DATES:

  • Tuesday, March 25
  • Tuesday, April 22
  • Tuesday, May 20
  • Tuesday, June 24 (Gold Tier Agencies Only)

All cohort meetings begin at 1 PM ET / 12 PM CT / 11 AM MT / 10 AM PT and are approximately 2 hours long. Full Excellence Team participation is encouraged. 

GOLD TIER SELF-STUDY TRAINING: Tuesday, June 10 from 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM ET

Don’t miss this opportunity to elevate your agency’s impact! Not ready to enroll in the Silver or Gold Tier? Bronze Tier enrollments are accepted on a rolling basis.

To begin your pursuit of excellence, fill out this enrollment form.

Enroll Here

Questions

Have questions? Get in touch with us at [email protected].

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