History

History of the National Peer to Peer (NPtP) ROMA Training and Certification Program

The need to implement a performance-based management system among CAAs and other eligible entities receiving Community Service Block Grant (CSBG) funds has been recognized by OCS and the CSBG Network since its beginning. Efforts in the 1990s were given impetus by the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) of 1993. In 1998 the CSBG Act was amended, mandating the implementation of a comprehensive performance-based management system across the entire Community Services Network - which system was identified as "Results-Oriented Management and Accountability," or ROMA.

The Community Action Association of Pennsylvania (CAAP), with Pennsylvania state Community Service Block Grant (CSBG) discretionary funding support, developed a "Train-the-Trainer" Project in 1998, for the Community Action Agencies (CAAs) in Pennsylvania to assure a common understanding of the basic principles of ROMA across the state. The training was based on "Managing for Results and Measuring Success: Outcome-Based Management for Human Services," by Frederick Richmond, The Center for Applied Management Practices, Inc. (1994). Revised by Richmond, under the direction of the CAAP, this work became "Introduction to Results Oriented Management and Accountability for CSBG Eligible Entities." This was the curriculum for the Pennsylvania training project known as the Virtual Outcome College (1998-2000).

Building on the Pennsylvania training, and funded and supported by the US Department of Health and Human Services/Office of Community Services, CAAP moved the training model to a national application starting in FY 2001. With Dr. Barbara Mooney as Project Director, the National Peer to Peer (NPtP) ROMA Training Project established a corps of certified individuals who conduct training and provide technical assistance to the CAA Network leaders and agency personnel. The curriculum for the national project was expanded by Richmond and Mooney to include both participant and trainer manuals. It was built on the train-the-trainer concept that was successful in Pennsylvania. See Trainer Tab for list by state.

As understanding of ROMA principles and practices grew, a comprehensive Performance Management Framework (PMF) was instituted by the Office of Community Services. Materials to support the Framework were developed (2013 – 2017) in collaboration with the National Association for State Community Service Programs and the National Community Action Partnership. The PMF includes a set of Organizational Standards for local Community Action Agencies, adopted by the network in 2017, which had implications for the NPtP Project.

Beginning in 2016, a new level of certification was developed (piloted, beta tested and active since 2017). The Implementers learn how to identify the use of the full ROMA cycle in their agency, and assist in assuring compliance with the Organizational Standard related to documenting this use. For considerations about Nationally Certified ROMA Implementers (NCRI) click here. See also Implementer Tab for list by state.

The goal of the NPtP project continues to be the development of Nationally Certified ROMA Professionals (Trainers and Implementers). These NCRPs who bring experience and skills from a broad range of backgrounds and CAA network involvement to their ROMA activities, provide service throughout the country, helping state CSBG offices, Community Action Associations, local CAAs and related entities to improve performance-based management. The results of the NPtP project include evidence of improved administration, service delivery, and outcomes as a result of ROMA implementation at all levels of the CSBG network.

Updates to Introduction to ROMA reflect improved understanding of the core principles identified in OCS Information Memorandum 49 (2001) and additional performance management practices. The curriculum updates are a Richmond-Mooney collaboration that include feedback from Certified ROMA Trainers from their activities across the country. The most recent version (5.1, 2020) emphasizes the use of the ROMA Cycle and the Logic Model as a foundation for the key concepts of the Performance Management Framework.

"Planning for Results," co-authored by Dr. Mooney and Julie Jakopic (Creating the Vision), was released in 2006. Additional on-line curriculum materials, developed with Carey Gibson, Project Manager, and the Association of Nationally Certified ROMA Trainers and Implementers (www.ancrt.org) to address topics identified as "ROMA Next Generation," were supported by the National Community Action Partnership and can be found on their web site: www.communityactionpartnership.com

The pilot project developed in Pennsylvania was funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development from October 1998 to September of 2000. The National Peer to Peer ROMA Training project was funded by the US Office of Community Services from October 1, 2000 through September 30, 2011 and is now supported by fees for service.