CreativeBridge Coalition bridges the efforts of caregivers, music providers, researchers, and philanthropic funders who seek to innovate and execute meaningful music programs for children through well-managed projects.

The process of initiating and overseeing a CreativeBridge Coalition project follows these steps:

1). Identify Project Goals
2). Find the Right Programs and People
3). Find a Funding Partner
4). Oversee Project Goals

IDENTIFY PROJECT GOALS

Our project initiation phase-identifying and articulating the needs and potential solutions for a prospective caregiver and putting together a project coalition-begins immediately following the request for assistance. Initial consultations (typically done via conference call and email) allow us to gather data about the caregiver's situation, the children, the organization providing care for these children, and most importantly, the specific goals that the organization and its caregivers have with regard to developing (or perhaps refining) a music program for these children. We then do basic information mining to learn more about these specifics (e.g., if the organization cares for infants and toddlers, we seek out information and research about using music with young children of this age range and which music programs make what claims).

The result of this phase is a working narrative that accurately describes the potential client's goals and how these might best be met. After meeting and talking at length with the client about this narrative and doing appropriate revisions, CBC produces a draft narrative for use throughout the project.

FIND THE RIGHT PROGRAMS AND PEOPLE

The next step is for CBC to consult with one or more music program providers (or music therapists, if appropriate) to determine possible programs, personnel, supplies, and budgets needed to accomplish the project. Eventually, CBC selects the most qualified music provider(s) and invites them to become a part of the project coalition, formed to accomplish the project goals. Finding the most suitable music program can take as few as three and as many as six weeks to accomplish.

During this phase, CBC meets on site with both the caregiver and the proposed music provider. Over time, we help these two parties sort out and agree to all of the details (goals, responsibilities, time frames, costs, etc.) of the proposed project and incorporate these details into the coalition Project Narrative (which, by this time, has grown to many pages in length). The process of finalizing the Project Narrative may take several months to complete.

Our work in developing narratives for Coalition projects is unique in that we require a formal research component be built into the proposal. We stipulate this because CBC seeks not simply to connect young children to music programs but to do so in meaningful ways. We believe that conducting formative and summative evaluation in relation to each coalition project will enhance the likelihood of careful implementation and promote the dissemination of knowing "what works and what doesn't" among caregivers, music providers and funding representatives on future projects.

FIND A FUNDING PARTNER

After helping coalition partners (caregivers and music providers) develop a final Project Narrative, CBC begins the search for funding partners. CBC brings a unique set of experiences, combining the music and academic worlds and resulting in an awareness of funding sources that seek well articulated music projects to fulfill their funding goals. As the list of successful CBC projects grows, foundations and other funding sources are contacting CBC to discuss their needs for projects that will fit their missions.

OVERSEE PROJECT GOALS

In all cases, CBC maintains sole responsibility for ongoing coalition project evaluation, and at least some responsibility for administrative oversight and project coherence. This evaluation and oversight work is guided by the Project Narrative, with the principal parties (caregivers and music providers) as collaborators in the design and conduct of the evaluation program.

Our purpose in overseeing and evaluating a project is to ensure that it unfolds as planned (or is altered where and when necessary) and that the children benefit from the project's efforts to bring music into their lives.