Overview of HDC Operational Model, Working Concepts, and Strategies

We at HDC must address our work scope responsibly. This means we must accomplish activities to reflect our mission and achieve increased quality of life for our fellow citizens.

It is a large step from having a mission to doing the responsible thing. With a commitment to bridging this gap, we developed an interrelated set of concepts that move from very broad, through systems level, to directly useful.

The Operational Model for HDC illustrates the major dynamics we hold are operating to influence each individual. As this figure suggests, we believe there is a "flow" from Enabling Strategies through individual environment factors to changes in Quality of Life.

Each of us is impacted by many "systems." We hear folks speak of "the system" and of "system change," but usually lack clarity regarding what is a system and what we are trying to change. The concept of a Competent System is offered as a tool for understanding and dealing with system change. This figure indicates several component features, including Values, Service Models, Personnel Development and Support, Evaluation, Capacity-building and Innovation, Policy Development, Administration, and Resource Allocation. We believe systems have these appropriateness within and across these features.

Consistency and appropriateness in conduct of systems can be increased by using the Five-Factor Framework for Confluence in Leadership and Program Development. This framework was developed by HDC personnel as a broadly applicable tool to guide activities of systems development, from overall design through development of training and intervention activities, to evaluation and decision-making.

Overall, we conduct HDC programs in accordance with a set of Major Considerations.