Focus your priorities

SAM is an enterprise system that can:

• store client demographic data
• track a client's case and processes for programs
• automate those processes
• track outcomes, events, surveys & reports
• support fundraising & volunteers
• link all of the people and organizations that support your clients and MORE!

A lot, right?! 

To implement SAM successfully, we recommend focusing on one thing at a time. SAM is a program that you implement over time as you get more comfortable. Try not to get overwhelmed with all of your programs and processes at once or you might end up feeling like...

Remember that our team is here to help you at each step of implementation. 

Layout the programs that will be added to SAM. 

What programs does your agency offer? Most agencies are drawn to SAM for the tools to support recruitment and placement of children. Because SAM is a child welfare database first, we recommend starting with your families, birth parents, or child programs. However, some agencies prioritize other functions such fundraising, volunteers or direct services. 

Write out your programs using vocabulary your agency uses to describe each. Once the programs have been laid out, prioritize the program that you rely on most. This is where your SAM Lead and team should direct their focus first. 

Set the vision of where you're going. 

In SAM, you setup workflows and systems for each program. Although most programs bring together multiple clients (families - children - birth parents) each program has a different process. The requirements and interactions needed are different. 

Revisit what's most important to your team's program success. For your chosen program, set your goals and think about actions to get there. Here are some common goals: 

Know that each program may have different priorities, but you still have to come together as a team to focus on one. Some of these goals will apply to multiple programs. That's great!  What you will find is SAM's tools and the processes built for one program will carry forward to the others, making subsequent programs quicker to setup. Following this format will make implementation a success!