Innovator Profile

Communities for People

“A Back Office Services Enterprise”

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 Communities for People champions the
concept of peer support among agencies.

The aim is to strengthen partner agencies by

delivering back office services outside their
core competencies.

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What is back office support? 

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CFP offers other agencies sophisticated IT
solutions and financial management.

Peer organizations benefit from CFP’s

experience in these areas and are able to
focus on their mission, ultimately saving
time, energy, and money.
What are the benefits of using CFP’s back
office support?
 Information Technology Services

CFP is a leader among the region's child welfare

agencies in developing and applying technology to
evaluate the quality of programs and services. CFP’s
Client Information System (CIS) maintains data
concerning client demographics, services provided to
clients by network agencies, program outcome
information, and client discharge status.

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 Financial Management
One of CFP’s strengths is financial management. CFP
provides peer organizations a wide range of support
including help with securing grants and contracts,
sharing payroll and insurance solutions, identifying
program facilities, use of CFP fiscal staff, and strategic
consultation.
 What motivated CFP to begin
providing back office support?

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CFP recognized a need for manageable IT and financial
services among peer providers.

In the 1980’s, CFP began coordinating regional provider

networks for the Department of Children and Families
(DCF) under its Commonworks System. Gradually, over
time CFP has taken an increasing role in supporting
organizations at the local level.

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What does CFP generate from providing
services to peer organizations?

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Roughly $100,000 a year.

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What are some of CFP’s challenges?

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 Organizations with very strong missions are
concerned that asking CFP for help might threaten
their influence over their important work.

The key is to build trust.

In some cases, this takes time.

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What is an example of an organization that
CFP has supported?

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 An example of CFP’s social enterprise is Roxbury
Youthworks (RYI). RYI receives financial management
consulting from CFP, including a part time Chief Financial
Officer. Our IT solutions have transformed the role of
technology at RYI and how it benefits the clients.

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What recommendations would you make to
other organizations starting a social
enterprise?
Focus on what you do well and how that can help
other agencies. These strengths can benefit your
company, your clients, and your peer agencies.
.

For more information, go to

http://www.communities-for-people.org
or contact us at (617) 267-1031.

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