This case study was important in showcasing how Collaboration is an important tool for innovation using Torfing’s framework. According to Torfing, innovation in the public sector does not occur in standalone programs but as a result of partnerships. The partnership between the state agencies and faith-based organizations in this case study transcends traditional problem solving methods. These partnerships forged would have not occurred if leadership from both sides was not imaginative and as a result important programs were created. In chapter nine of Collaborative Innovation in the Public Sector, Torfing identifies potential drivers of innovation but also the barriers that impede the process. In this case I would argue that the driver of innovation
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“The idea that those actors who are affected by changes in particular policies, services or governance structures should have the opportunity to voice out their opinions and influence the decision-making process lies at the heart of collaborative innovation”( Torfing, 241). According to the study, the purpose was to increase the number of adoptive and foster care parents in the child welfare care system. This was a difficult task because the government was plagued by two fundamental problems; recruiting and retaining foster and adoptive parents for children in foster care. There was a chronic shortage of the number of parents willing to adopt children. In 2012, there were 200,000 children who were admitted in the foster care system in United States (Howell-Moroney, 212). With such a large number of children admitted in the system, one would think that child welfare system would have been placed on a higher priority but as the research suggested that was not the case. As a result, children were placed in group homes, foster homes that were filled to capacity, with unfit parents or other unsatisfactory arrangements (Howell-Moroney, 208). Consequently, children did not receive proper and adequate care that was important for their well-being and …show more content…
First, collaboration expanded the number of actors involved in generating ideas to deal with the problems. Public sector innovation required entrepreneurial leaders. A convener brings together the important and concerned actors with the agenda to exchange and share views, ideas, and opinions (Torfing, 245). He or she selects the team, ensures political and economic support, encourages interactions amongst different actors and defines roles and timeline of the participation (Torfing, 245). In this case, the leadership from both the state agencies and the faith community served as the conveners, facilitators and catalysts that brought people together. Project 1:27 was formed because the lieutenant Governor of Colorado was analyzing ways to increase the number of adoptive and foster care parents. Robert Gelinas happened to be in the same space where dialogue was occurring and he promised that there would be 1,500 foster and adoptive parents (Howell- Moroney, 210). This was a big transition in the attitude of government working with faith-based communities. The faith community showed a wiliness to help which was met with openness from the government. Children of Arkansas loved for a Lifetime (CALL) was established as dialogue began amongst 20 church representatives, and state workers discussed ways in which the church could be a solution to
“The idea that those actors who are affected by changes in particular policies, services or governance structures should have the opportunity to voice out their opinions and influence the decision-making process lies at the heart of collaborative innovation”( Torfing, 241). According to the study, the purpose was to increase the number of adoptive and foster care parents in the child welfare care system. This was a difficult task because the government was plagued by two fundamental problems; recruiting and retaining foster and adoptive parents for children in foster care. There was a chronic shortage of the number of parents willing to adopt children. In 2012, there were 200,000 children who were admitted in the foster care system in United States (Howell-Moroney, 212). With such a large number of children admitted in the system, one would think that child welfare system would have been placed on a higher priority but as the research suggested that was not the case. As a result, children were placed in group homes, foster homes that were filled to capacity, with unfit parents or other unsatisfactory arrangements (Howell-Moroney, 208). Consequently, children did not receive proper and adequate care that was important for their well-being and …show more content…
First, collaboration expanded the number of actors involved in generating ideas to deal with the problems. Public sector innovation required entrepreneurial leaders. A convener brings together the important and concerned actors with the agenda to exchange and share views, ideas, and opinions (Torfing, 245). He or she selects the team, ensures political and economic support, encourages interactions amongst different actors and defines roles and timeline of the participation (Torfing, 245). In this case, the leadership from both the state agencies and the faith community served as the conveners, facilitators and catalysts that brought people together. Project 1:27 was formed because the lieutenant Governor of Colorado was analyzing ways to increase the number of adoptive and foster care parents. Robert Gelinas happened to be in the same space where dialogue was occurring and he promised that there would be 1,500 foster and adoptive parents (Howell- Moroney, 210). This was a big transition in the attitude of government working with faith-based communities. The faith community showed a wiliness to help which was met with openness from the government. Children of Arkansas loved for a Lifetime (CALL) was established as dialogue began amongst 20 church representatives, and state workers discussed ways in which the church could be a solution to