PEER PROGRAM

We were about to kick off a strategic plan and wanted something that wouldn’t just sit on a shelf. Our goal was a practical, grounded plan with a clear path forward—and a strong sense of who we are as an agency. We’d completed other studies, but we were looking for a national framework to help us shape our local approach. I actually came across the Peer Program while researching options on my own, and the timing lined up well—I wasn’t sure what to expect, to be honest.

It was helpful to hear how other agencies approached strategic planning in very different contexts. We appreciated their openness and candor—comparing engagement methods, timelines, and internal alignment gave us fresh perspective. We also had strong turnout for our local sessions, and I think the exchange helped to open the lines of communication for those bigger conversations that we’ve been having while doing the plan.

It reinforced some of our early thinking and gave us clearer language to use with leadership and stakeholders. The experience reminded us to stay adaptable but focused—and we hope we can be a resource for others working through similar planning efforts.