Strategic Planning Shapes Future WeCAN Programming

In mid-August, WRDC and Western Community Assessment Network (WeCAN) Director Dr. Lorie Higgins convened a strategic planning retreat in Boise, Idaho. As WeCAN programming transitions under WRDC, stakeholders gathered to explore how Community Review initiatives can be strengthened and scaled across the West and Pacific Basin.

Participants from Extension, economic development organizations, and local community leaders engaged in ripple effects mapping to assess the impacts of past community reviews and identify opportunities for improvement. Discussions focused on the community experience, partner engagement, implementation support, and the training needed to expand the review process.

Insights from these initial conversations helped inform a smaller design team that spent the next day considering and visioning, leading to providing the WRDC recommendations for next steps for a systems-level approach to Community Reviews, centered on community pathways, delivery networks, connective infrastructure, and long-term learning and stewardship.

Thank you to everyone who contributed to this important effort. Watch for additional updates on the Community Review process and WeCAN programming in the coming months.