Resource Mapping

Resource mapping is a system-building process that enables a community to identify and inventory existing resources and match those resources to a specific purpose. The idea is to organize information and provide direction for organizations to help youth achieve their goals. Resource mapping can help communities -

Identify valuable resources
Ensure that everyone has access to the resources they need
Avoid duplication of services and resources
Enhance services
Identify flexible funding strategies
Align youth and adult systems and supports
Use data to make informed decisions
Cultivate new partnerships and relationships
Provide information across agencies that work with youth

Transition Solutions is committed to helping your community improve secondary education and transition systems using our proven resource mapping process. Our skilled trainers will work with your community to introduce you to the resource mapping process and assist you in its use. We will use nationally endorsed and research-based standards and quality indicators for secondary education and transition services to organize and align your resources.

Resource Mapping Services from Transition Solutions

Transition Solutions' resource mapping services are customized to meet your organization's specific needs. You may choose from three levels of service ranging from a half-day orientation workshop to ongoing consultation (see below for more details on all levels).

Participants will receive a copy of the nationally-recognized Essential Tools: Community Resource Mapping, a comprehensive guide published by the National Center on Secondary Education and Transition.

In addition, level 2 and 3 participants will receive a map of their community's resources and a strategic plan for implementing that map.

For an additional fee, communities may purchase a Web-based tool that can be customized to help them inventory and manage their resources.

Level 1: Introduction to Resource Mapping

Transition Solutions offers a half-day orientation workshop on community resource mapping. In this workshop, participants will learn -

How resource mapping can help your community meet its needs and goals.
A step-by-step resource mapping process.
New approaches to leverage and engage community resources and effectively collaborate with various community partners.

Level 2: Building Capacity Using Resource Mapping

Transition Solutions views resource mapping as a system-building process tailored to the specific challenges, strengths, and context of your community. Through a series of three two-day visits, our expert staff will map your resources, develop a strategic plan to align services, and evaluate progress. We will work with your community to -

Collect and analyze data and begin the mapping process.
Conduct a strategic planning retreat and develop a plan for implementing the map.
Complete a technical review and evaluate progress.

Level 3: Strengthening Systems Through Resource Mapping

As communities work to improve, expand, or complement their capacity-building efforts to improve postschool outcomes for youth, collaborative planning and coordinated services and supports provision must routinely be addressed. Transition Solutions will work with your community to map resources, develop a strategic plan, and facilitate the implementation of the map by providing customized training and technical assistance based on the map. We will work with your community to -

Complete the resource mapping process and support analysis and utilization of the mapping data by determining gaps and overlaps. A hard-copy map will be developed as well as an electronic database for ongoing use.
Develop a strategic action plan based on the map to change outcomes and improve the system. The plan will address the issues and needs identified by the community.
Complete a technical review to evaluate progress and make any mid-course corrections.
Design and conduct 40 hours of technical assistance and consultation to support the implementation of the map and strategic action plan.
Provide desk-based electronic support as needed.

Transition Solutions PDF