Consulting Services by Topic

Catholic Charities USA provides consulting services on the following topics:

Advocacy Skill Development

Catholic Charities USA can assist your agency in developing advocacy skills and learning how to be an effective advocate for your issues, your agency and your clients when working with elected officials. Background information on legislative issues can also be provided. The audience frequently includes boards, agency or diocesan directors, agency staff, and sections. The scope ranges from local, statewide, regional, and national.

For more information, contact Lucreda Cobbs, Senior Director for Advocacy and Civic Engagement at (703) 236-6243 or lcobbs@catholiccharitiesusa.org.

Council on Accreditation

Catholic Charities USA is a national sponsor of the Council on Accreditation (COA). Catholic Charities USA offers consultation services targeted to agencies pursuing accreditation for the first time or agencies undergoing significant change. This service links the agency with a peer consultant within the Catholic Charities USA network who can provide support though the COA accreditation/reaccreditation process.

For more information, contact Jane Stenson, Sr. Director, Poverty Reduction Strategies, at (703) 236-6237 or jstenson@catholiccharitiesusa.org.

Development

Catholic Charities USA provides development consulting in response to a request from the local diocese or agency.  This consultation normally consists of 1-2 consultants conducting a two-day visitation. 

Development materials, job descriptions, budgets, organizational charts, goals and other applicable material will be reviewed.  Also, key staff and board members will be interviewed with an emphasis on those involved in agency development activities.  The scope of the agency’s development work will be fully analyzed and discussed, followed by a final written report. 

For more information, contact Pat Hvidston, Vice President, Development and Communications, at (703) 236-6259 or phvidston@catholiccharitiesusa.org.

Disaster Technical Support

Disasters can change the way a Catholic Charities agency provides its service to the community.  Catholic Charities USA's Disaster Response Office recognizes no two disasters are ever alike and, during a disaster, the response environment can change from moment to moment. 

The Disaster Response Office provides consulting and technical support to disaster-affected agencies tailored to their specific situation.  Disaster Response Office staff can offer assistance to access financial and material resources, such as CCUSA Disaster Assistance grants, Disaster Kits, and Ready-to-Eat Meals. 

Additionally, Disaster Response Office staff are available to assist an agency prepare and review plans before a disaster strikes. During and after a disaster, staff are available to assist with specific issues such as special need populations, bi-Lingual support, strategic thinking and redirection, and understanding local disaster participants including FEMA, American Red Cross and Long Term Recovery Committees. 

For more information, contact Kim Burgo, Senior Director, Disaster Response Office, at (703) 236-6253 or kburgo@catholiccharitiesusa.org .

Organizational Assessment

At the request of a local bishop, board of directors or executive director, Catholic Charities USA assembles a consulting team of 2-3 people to undertake an assessment of the current financial, operating, and governance system operations of a local Catholic Charities agency. Based upon that assessment, the team makes a series of recommendations designed to strengthen current efforts.

For more information, contact Troy Zeigler, Director of Training & Consulting at (703) 236-6239 or tzeigler@catholiccharities.org.

Organizational Development

Whether it’s strategic planning, administrative reorganization, business development or program portfolio evaluation, Catholic Charities USA is waiting to address your need.

For more information, contact Troy Zeigler, Director of Training & Consulting, at (703) 236-6239 or tzeigler@catholiccharities.org to discuss your situation, arrange for a consultation, or get a referral.

Parish Social Ministry

The Parish Social Ministry Office is available for consultative services related to initiation and effectiveness of parish social ministry programs. Catholic Charities USA will also work to connect member organizations for the sake of mentoring, networking and the sharing of best practices.

For more information, contact Rachel Lustig, Director of Parish Social Ministry, at (703) 236-6234 or rlustig@catholiccharitiesusa.org.

Poverty Campaign Advocacy

Catholic Charities USA’s Campaign to Reduce Poverty in America is a multi-year, multi-faceted approach to cutting poverty in half by the year 2020. Technical assistance is available to help agencies with local Campaign activities and implementation. Additional information about the Campaign is available on the Campaign to Reduce Poverty in America Web site.

For more information, contact Monica Maggiano, Campaign Director, at (703) 236-6230, or mmaggiano@catholiccharitiesusa.org.

Strategic Planning

Strategic Planning is normally a long process requiring six months to a year to complete.  Catholic Charities USA can provide a one-day training which will lay out exactly what needs to be done with follow-up telephone consultations as necessary.  However, it is often advantageous to use outside facilitation throughout the process.  We can provide this service through periodic visits, or it is possible for a board and executive management team who commit to an intense two-day session to accomplish nearly the same level of planning in a much shortened timeframe.

For more information, contact Troy Zeigler, Director of Training and Consulting, at (703) 236-6239 or tzeigler@catholiccharitiesusa.org.