CCAP ROMA Framework Application 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under the ROMA cycle, which step directly follows 'Assess' when working with a family seeking housing stability?
- Plan (Correct answer)
- Intervene
- Evaluate
- Follow-Up
Correct answer: Plan
The ROMA cycle proceeds: Assess, Plan, Intervene, Evaluate, and Follow-Up, so Planning comes directly after assessing client needs.
Question 2: A CAA wants to demonstrate that its emergency food program moved clients toward self-sufficiency. Which ROMA National Performance Indicator category is most relevant?
- Family Stability (Correct answer)
- Community Level Change
- Agency Capacity
- Employment
Correct answer: Family Stability
Family Stability NPIs track outcomes like reduced food insecurity and access to stable housing, making them the appropriate category for this program.
Question 3: In ROMA, 'Theory of Change' is best described as:
- The causal logic linking agency activities to long-term community outcomes (Correct answer)
- A federal regulation governing CSBG fund expenditures
- A method for calculating cost-per-client ratios
- A standardized intake form for new clients
Correct answer: The causal logic linking agency activities to long-term community outcomes
A Theory of Change articulates the causal pathway from inputs and activities through outputs to short-, medium-, and long-term outcomes.
Question 4: Which entity provides the official ROMA training and certification infrastructure for Community Action professionals?
- T/TAS (Training and Technical Assistance System) through NASCSP (Correct answer)
- U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
- National Poverty Law Center
- OCS Regional Training Centers only
Correct answer: T/TAS (Training and Technical Assistance System) through NASCSP
NASCSP administers the T/TAS network, which delivers ROMA training and supports CCAP certification.
Question 5: A CAA reports that 120 adults gained employment after completing its job-training program. In ROMA terms, this is an example of:
- An outcome (Correct answer)
- An output
- An input
- A community-level indicator
Correct answer: An outcome
Gaining employment is a change in status for participants, which ROMA classifies as an outcome rather than a simple count of services delivered.
Question 6: When completing an Organizational Standards Assessment, a CAA discovers it lacks a current community assessment. What is the correct ROMA-aligned response?
- Conduct or update the community assessment to identify local needs and assets (Correct answer)
- Defer action until the next CSBG triennial review
- Replace the assessment requirement with client satisfaction surveys
- Use state-level poverty data as a substitute
Correct answer: Conduct or update the community assessment to identify local needs and assets
Organizational Standard 3.3 requires CAAs to conduct a community assessment at least every three years to align services with local needs.
Question 7: Which statement best describes the difference between outputs and outcomes in ROMA data collection?
- Outputs count units of service delivered; outcomes measure changes in participants' lives (Correct answer)
- Outputs measure long-term community impact; outcomes measure daily service volume
- Outputs are qualitative narratives; outcomes are quantitative counts
- Outputs apply to agencies; outcomes apply only to funders
Correct answer: Outputs count units of service delivered; outcomes measure changes in participants' lives
ROMA distinguishes outputs (number of people served, classes held, meals distributed) from outcomes (actual improvements in participant status or condition).
CCAP ROMA Framework Application 2
Under the ROMA cycle, which step directly follows 'Assess' when working with a family seeking housing stability?