Specifications include, but are not limited to: Communities of Excellence (COE) 2026 is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit that hosts learning cohorts and trains communities in the Baldrige and collective impact-based Communities of Excellence framework. COE provides opportunities for communities across the nation to learn and work together by sharing successes, challenges and best practices.; The Delaware Communities of Excellence Collaborative will enhance the quality of life for all Delawareans. The initial work is developing a seamless, comprehensive literacy system from birth to adult as a foundation to ensure equity for all. The Delaware COE Collaborative employs a collective impact approach, because large-scale social change requires broad, cross-sector coordination. Delaware Libraries are the driving force of the Delaware COE Collaborative, with initial partner organizations including Literacy Delaware, DNREC (Dept. of Natural Resources & Environmental Control), and the Sussex County Health Coalition So far, the Delaware Communities of Excellence Collaborative: • Established the first initiative of Equity through Literacy; • Is focusing on developing a comprehensive literacy ecosystem, birth through adult; • Established a Workgroup; • Established and is expanding an Advisory Board; Next steps: • Establish a Delaware Literacy Dashboard using Results Based Accountability (access to RBA tool required); • Conduct an Environmental Scan, Landscape Analysis, and partner and public input; • Conduct research on best practices for literacy nationally and internationally; • Design and facilitate a comprehensive statewide Communication Plan; • Conduct Strategic Planning; • Participation in national Communities of Excellence training and fulfill requirements; • Manage, monitor, and drive ongoing development; • Secure long term and sustainable funding; • Repeat the cycle for additional initiatives
