Services
Staffing Support
Program & Project Development
Program Administration & Project Management
Project management services focus on providing assistance with the planning and coordination of your organization's resources to move your project toward completion, including team coordination, timeline and milestone development, issue resolution, and budget, contract, and other financial management.
Example: Yolo Bypass Westside Tributaries Flow Monitoring Project
Consero Solutions assists Yolo County with management of the Yolo Bypass Westside Tributaries Flow Monitoring project, funded by a $331,148 California Department of Fish and Wildlife grant. The three-year project will result in the collection and analysis of flow data on four westside tributaries to the Yolo Bypass: Putah Creek, Cache Creek, Knights Landing Ridge Cut Canal, and Willow Slough Bypass. This data and the modeling it supports will be used to inform management decisions in the Yolo Bypass. Consero is responsible for ensuring contractors complete monitoring, drafting grant reimbursements, tracking expenditures, and submitting grant reports.
Organization Evaluation & Improvement
Consero Solutions helps local agencies and non-profit organizations evaluate operations and identify opportunities to improve governance and management, including review of bylaws, internal controls, budget processes, and other important elements of day-to-day operations. Consero uses a team of experts, including attorneys and human resource consultants, to help districts and non-profit organizations develop and implement solutions.
Example: Visit Yolo Organizational Evaluation
Consero Solutions helped Visit Yolo evaluate existing operations and identify opportunities to improve governance and management as part of its transition to a Tourism Business Improvement District. In addition to completing a memo outlining opportunities to improve operations, Consero assisted an attorney with the development of new bylaws, worked with staff to complete a new financial policies and procedures manual, helped implement internal controls, and developed a new governance structure for the Board of Directors. Consero also provided Executive Director support services, assisted with the development of annual budgets and financial reports, and drafted Board meeting materials as needed.
Grant Writing & Management
Consero Solutions helps your organization write grants to implement or further public policy priorities, as well as manage the implementation of grants. This assistance includes development of project details, identification of partners, and grant writing.
Example: Knights Landing Boat Ramp Project
Consero Solutions assisted Solano County with identifying options to further the County's efforts to construct affordable housing for at-risk populations, including veterans, aging out foster youth, low-income working families, and people who are unhoused and suffering from mental illness, substance abuse, or physical disabilities. As part of this effort, Consero identified and evaluated funding opportunities, analyzed the 2019-20 state budget and housing trailer bills, interviewed County staff to assess the current status of affordable housing efforts, researched best practices and consulted experts, and interviewed other counties. Consero shared the findings and options in a series of policy memorandums and a presentation to the Solano County Board of Supervisors.
Policy Analysis
Consero Solutions helps develop policy options for consideration by decisionmakers, including conducting supporting research, drafting policy memos and comment letters, and assisting with advocacy as needed to further an organization’s mission and goals. Consero works closely with clients to develop a detailed research plan for development of policy options to address the issue, including consulting with key stakeholders and policy experts.
Example: Solano County Affordable Housing
Consero Solutions assisted Solano County with identifying options to further the County's efforts to construct affordable housing for at-risk populations, including veterans, aging out foster youth, low-income working families, and people who are unhoused and suffering from mental illness, substance abuse, or physical disabilities. As part of this effort, Consero identified and evaluated funding opportunities, analyzed the 2019-20 state budget and housing trailer bills, interviewed County staff to assess the current status of affordable housing efforts, researched best practices and consulted experts, and interviewed other counties. Consero shared the findings and options in a series of policy memorandums and a presentation to the Solano County Board of Supervisors.
Communications & Stakeholder Outreach
Consero Solutions develops and implements public outreach strategies to help raise awareness of and increase stakeholder involvement in your project or program. This work is tailored to your organization's needs and may include assistance with branding, public meeting facilitation, online content development, website design, networking strategies, and social media marketing.
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Example: Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area Habitat and Drainage Improvement Project
In addition to helping to secure $3.7 million in grant funding, Consero Solutions created and implemented a stakeholder outreach strategy to promote the multi-agency partnership that resulted in the construction of the Yolo Wildlife Area Habitat and Drainage Improvement Project in 2020. Consero developed the communications plan and public outreach materials, including a social media campaign.
State and Federal Advocacy
Consero Solutions advises your organization on strategies to secure outside funding or achieve changes in state or federal laws, policies, regulations, or program guidelines. These strategies could include legislative proposals, funding research, public outreach, or advocacy at the state, regional, or federal level. We believe local communities and organizations are their own best advocates and strive to provide support for existing efforts.
Example: City of Davis Legislative Platform
Consero Solutions assisted the City of Davis with developing and implementing a state legislative platform and advocacy policy in 2019 and 2020. Over the course of eight months, Consero worked closely with City staff and the Legislative Subcommittee to solicit and review draft legislative proposals from department heads, prioritize the proposals, develop them into a legislative platform, and help the City implement its platform by preparing fact sheets, convening meetings with legislators and legislative staffers to discuss proposals and pending legislation, and engaging in community outreach to enlist supporters. The platform resulted in the ability to increase fees for a downtown parking structure, changes to grant guidelines to improve eligibility, and an increase in the cap on regional planning grants.
Staffing Support
Consero Solutions recognizes the key role staff play in an organization’s ability to achieve goals and implement projects, and the impact staff absence can have on this success. Staff support services focus on providing assistance with any variety of tasks necessary as a result of staff absence. Such assistance can include research, project management, policy analysis, administrative support, grant management, budget development, and program administration, among other activities. Consero Solutions will provide this support in the event of extensive staff leave, unfilled positions, or other circumstances in which a client is in need of an extra hand.
Example: Paradise Cut
As a result of a staff shortage, Consero Solutions worked with the San Joaquin County Resource Conservation District to manage over $2 million for the initial phase of a multi-benefit floodplain restoration project adjacent to the San Joaquin River. In partnership with American Rivers, the Resource Conservation District secured state funding for the Paradise Cut Conservation and Flood Management Plan and the Paradise Cut Flood and Easement Acquisition project. Staff support included assisting with contracts and budget, maintaining task completion timelines, and coordinating with subcontractors and project stakeholders.
Funding Research
Consero Solutions will identify state, federal, and foundation funding opportunities to leverage existing resources and assist with planning for these opportunities well in advance of notices of availability. This work includes development of multi-year funding plans to match projects with grant and loan opportunities and provide a clear process for application completion.
Example: City of Davis Comprehensive Funding Plan
Consero Solutions completed three Comprehensive Funding Plans for the City of Davis, first in 2016, again in 2018, and most recently in 2020, which have resulted in over $16.5 million in secured funding and numerous pending grant applications. Consero helped the City develop project priorities, matched the priorities to grant opportunities, and worked with Department heads and the City Manager to finalize the Plan. The Plan includes projects proposed by the City Manager's Office and the Community Development, Open Space, Parks & Community Services, Fire, and Public Works departments. Consero is now in the process of working with City staff to implement the Plan to reflect new City priority projects and new funding opportunities.
Program & Project Development
Consero Solutions helps organizations develop programs and projects based on input from all levels of your agency or organization, as well as outside interests if desired. Such assistance includes development of concepts into projects for consideration by your organizations governing entity, or development of the specific elements of projects or programs.
Example: Yolo COVID-19 Nonprofit Relief Initiative
In coordination with the Yolo Community Foundation, Consero Solutions developed a new emergency grant program on an expedited four-week schedule. The program resulted in the distribution of over $400,000 in funding to local nonprofits affected by the COVID-19 crisis. Program development entailed development of a detailed Action Plan approved by local agency staff and elected officials, the design of new website pages , and development of a Social Media Outreach Toolkit, a governance structure, and a fundraising strategy.