Et-o-lu-tion / et-uh-loo-shuh-n / n. — Progress, growth, advancement of a human service organization from one that is driven by human spirit, good intentions and funder reporting requirements to supplementing those ideals with a strategic approach to tying specific efforts to measurable outcomes. When an organization completes an ETOlution, it becomes a different organization, one that:

• has aligned its mission, funders’ expectations, and daily work by connecting efforts to clearly articulated, measurable, and reported outcomes;
• allows case workers to better see the fruits of their labors and change tactics based on real time, easily accessible data;
• provides program managers, executive directors, and board members clearer insights into what’s working, and what’s not, so successes can be reinforced and adjustments can be made;
• has turned scorched dialog with funders into celebratory discussions of what more can be done; and most importantly
• makes a bigger difference in people’s lives while inspiring other organizations.

In short, the ETOlution of a human service organization leads to greater benefits for its constituents, case workers, program managers and executive directors, boards and funders, and even to stakeholders such as the regulators and officials who carry responsibility for the public benefits of human service success.

Social Solutions is intent on facilitating the ETOlution of human service organizations. Through the provision of tools, consulting service and our ongoing advocacy campaign we are confident that by working together we can do great things. The community resource center is a place for finds tools and information that will support the industry’s ETOlution.