Staff are an important resource to rural services integration programs. Staff requirements, roles, and responsibilities need to be clearly defined at the outset of a program. Staff may require specific trainings or certifications to participate in a services integration program. Knowing your strengths and weaknesses as an organization can help you assess if your organization is ready to support rural outreach efforts.

Make a list of organizational strengths and weaknesses for working in this community.

• Do your Executive Director and other supervisors value increasing the reach of your services into rural areas?
• What resources do you have to commit to the project?
• Does your center have resources to support you traveling to meet with people in person, or to purchase equipment such as laptops or cellular service that might be needed?
• What connections do you already have?
• What projects, programs, or events has your CIL participated (or hosted) in the past?
• Are you part of any local community groups that are already established?
• What do you already know about service gaps in your rural service area?
  • For instance, do the youth in your rural service area attend Zoom game nights, but very few older adults with disabilities engage in your services?
• Do you have the right people for who you are trying to reach?
• Do you have someone on staff from that community?
• Do you have staff who share peer characteristics of members in the community you are targeting such as identifying as Black and Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC), Hispanic/Latinx, or age groups or shared experiences?
• Do you have people with diverse experiences such as experiencing homelessness, violence, or other trauma who feel comfortable connecting with others in similar situations?