ROMA - Results Oriented Management & Accountability

The need to implement a performance-based management system among CAAs and other eligible entities receiving Community Service Block Grant (CSBG) funds has long been recognized by OCS and the CSBG Network. Efforts to expedite adoption of such a system 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 which they identified as "Results-Oriented Management and Accountability," or ROMA, across the entire Community Services Network.

The Community Action Association of Pennsylvania (CAAP), with HHS OCS and Pennsylvania CSBG discretionary funding support, developed the Peer to Peer (PtP) ROMA "Train the Trainer" Project in 1998, for the Community Action Agencies (CAAs) in Pennsylvania. CAAP demonstrated its ability to move this training model to a national application in 2000-2001. CAAP's successful, National Peer to Peer (NPtP) Project established a corps of certified trainers who conducted more than 200 training sessions for more than 4,000 CAA Network leaders and agency personnel. The result of the trainings is an increased awareness across the county about the principles and basic implementation tools associated with ROMA. These trainers, bringing experience and skills from a broad range of backgrounds and CAA network involvement, have helped state CSBG offices, Community Action Associations, local CAAs and related entities with their transition to performance-based management.

ROMA Implementation - Information Memorandum 49 February 21, 2001 - "Why are we here, who are we helping, what are we helping them to become and how will we know and describe success, both theirs and ours."

Government Performance and Results Act
January 5, 1993 - "waste and inefficiency in Federal programs undermine the confidence of the American people in the Government and reduces the Federal Government's ability to address adequately vital public needs..."

The Mission of the Community Action Agency - OEO 6320-1
November 16, 1970 - "Title II of the Economic Opportunity Act provides for the establishment and funding of community action agencies and programs."

ROMA Trainers

Mary Chipps, Executive Director
WV Community Action Partnership
Email
PH 304-347-2277

Barbara Miller, Training and Communications Coordinator
WV Community Action Partnership
Email
PH 304-347-2277

Lisa June, Development Coordinator
CHANGE, Inc.
Email
PH 304-797-7733 ext. 312

Jessica Porter, Head Start Program Assistant / System Administrator
Raleigh County Community Action Association, Inc.
Email

Shelly Woda,CSBG/MIS Administrator
Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity
Email

Please contact a Certified trainer if you are interested in scheduling a ROMA course in your Community Action Agency or Local Region.