Importance of Sustainability Planning for Services Integration Programs

A sustainability plan describes strategies to continue the services integration program. Sustainability can involve maintaining program services, staff members, and relationships among participating organizations. Services integration programs will need to tailor sustainability plans to their specific needs and resources.

Key issues to consider when planning for sustainability include:

• Planning for the continued engagement of partners and stakeholders
• Obtaining input and buy-in from partners and stakeholders
• Demonstrating the impact of the program by measuring cost-savings or other metrics associated with services integration activities
• Sharing information about outcomes with participants and other key stakeholders
• Developing an organizational plan to leverage human, financial, and in-kind resources
• Defining short-term and long-term funding and/or reimbursement options

In addition to sustainability plans, rural services integration programs may need a risk management plan to help prepare for unexpected events, such as the loss of a partner or changes in federal and state policies.