Without a doubt, the biggest problem with developing a strategic plan is the failure to use that plan as a living document that guides program development. Don’t let this happen to your mental health strategic plan! Your final strategic planning meeting should focus on developing a specific, time-limited approach to revisiting the plan, reviewing accomplishments, and training new staff and mental health consultants about the strategic plan.
Schedule a follow-up meeting no more than two months after you finalize your initial plan to check in and monitor progress and to help problem-solve any barriers that emerge. You may even want to identify a separate group of individuals who can act as an “implementation team” for the strategic plan. An implementation team meets regularly to ensure that progress is being made and to oversee the implementation of key strategies. Regular check-in meetings are essential to ensure progress is made and to regularly update the strategic plan. At these meetings, it will be important to evaluate progress and to revisit, as needed, specific objectives or activities that may be difficult to implement.
Once the plan is developed, it is essential that all program staff, mental health consultants, and Policy Council members receive training or continuing education on working with the mental health strategic plan. Doing so will help your program maintain a shared vision for mental health and ensure that all program staff and families understand the steps you have outlined for how to achieve that vision. Research has shown that programs in which staff feel there is a shared vision for mental health may be more successful in supporting mental health outcomes.
Activity: Where Do I Need Planning Support?
As you think about starting mental health-specific strategic planning, you may feel you need more information or support — about mental health more broadly, specific issues or topics relevant to your program’s situation, or more general support for effective planning.
Brainstorm a list of what additional resources or information you need to feel confident in your ability to do effective strategic planning for mental health. Where might you find these resources?
Identify two or three resources that you plan to seek out in the next few weeks to help strengthen your skills in this area.
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Resource Type: Article
National Centers: Health, Behavioral Health, and Safety
Audience: Directors and Managers
Last Updated: August 6, 2025