Caldwell Opportunities, Inc. Strategic Plan January 1

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1617 College Avenue, Lenoir, NC 28645

Caldwell Opportunities, Inc. Strategic Plan

January 1, 2020 – December 31, 2022 This strategic plan has been developed by Caldwell Opportunities, Inc. in order to provide a disciplined approach to the management of Caldwell Opportunities, Inc.

I. Introduction: Caldwell Opportunities, Inc. (COI) is a non-profit, community rehabilitation program which offers employment services and opportunities for persons with disabilities. The program is nationally accredited by CARF for provision Innovations Day Supports (Waiver) and Adult Developmental Vocational Program.

A. Adult Developmental and Vocational Program

The Adult Development and Vocational Program (ADVP) is a day program which provides organized developmental and vocational activities for adults with developmental disabilities to prepare them to live and work as independently as possible. An ADVP provides opportunities for the individual’s enjoyment of leisure activities, development of community living skills, vocational adjustment, work activities training, and personal skill development.

B. Innovations: Day Supports Program:

Innovations Day Supports Program: is designed to assist with the acquisition, retention, or improvement in self-help, socialization, adaptive and prevocational skills in a non-residential setting and enable each participant to attain or maintain his or her maximum level of independence. Day Supports is provided in a group setting but may be approved for a one on one ratio based on the individual’s needs.

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C. LTCS The LTCS program is a Medicaid funded day program for adults with intellectual developmental disabilities. This program provides organized developmental activities designed to prepare the individual to live as independently as possible by offering a variety of specific services and activities. These include paid work, development of personal and community living skills and adult basic education. Each individual will participate in these activities based on their needs and interests outlined in their person centered plan.

MISSION: The mission of CALDWELL OPPORTUNITIES is to provide developmental and vocational services for adults with disabilities who live in Caldwell County in order to maximize independence and employment. (County of residence my vary approval of the Executive Director on an individual basis).

VISION: Caldwell Opportunities, Inc. will continue its legacy of assisting persons with Developmental Disabilities to achieve independence, to experience meaningful relationships, and to contribute value to their community.

II. Business History

COI was founded by a group of interested citizens from the Association of Retarded Citizens. The organization became formally organized as a non-profit corporation under the State of North Carolina statutes in 1969. The initial operations were housed at Oak Hill Elementary School agricultural building. In 1970, the organization merged its assets and operations with Foothills Area Program becoming an operational unit of all the programs serviced by Foothills Area Program. Throughout the years the organization has conducted its operations at the Dula Town School and Lenoir High School. In 1988-89 the organization campaigned to construct a new facility specifically for COI with assistance from the Broyhill Foundation, Vocational Rehabilitation, various civic groups, individuals, and the hard work and commitment of staff and parents they opened their College Avenue facility, Lenoir, NC in December 1989. From 1970 until July 1, 2002, COI was operated by Foothills Area Program. Due to funding shortfalls and the reorganization of the mental health system in NC, the Area Mental Health Authority proposed contracting the ADVP services at COI. The citizens/parents/caregivers of Caldwell County lobbied for the operation of the ADVP program of COI. A private non profit board was formed and the program pursued non-profit status and assumed operation of the program on July 1, 2002. For Federal Income Tax purposes, COI is tax exempt under 501(c) 3 as a private non-profit corporation.

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The following persons comprised the original Board of Directors for this corporation:

• Don Jensen – Chairman • Austen Jud • Ronald Whiting – Secretary/Treasurer • Joyce Lawing • James Haney – Ex-officio – President of COI Parent Group • Melba Stapleton – Clerk

III. Business Structure

A. Board of Directors: • Pam Helton /President • Billy Mitchell/Vice-President • Danny Taylor (Parent)/Secretary • Ann Edwards • Ron Beane • Kenvian Ferguson (Parent)

B. Management and Profile i. Executive Director: AmBrea Williams, BA QP was named Executive

Director on April 15, 2017.

ii. Management Team: 1. Ashley Laxton, BA QP, IDD Services Director 2. Laura Miller, Production Manager 3. Tammy Austin, Business Manager 4. Chere Hamby, Office Manager/Safety Officer 5. Biz Franzen, IDD Services Assistant

IV. Marketing

It is the intent of Caldwell Opportunities to engage in marketing which promotes economic and social opportunities for persons with disabilities. A. See Attached Stakeholders and Client Input from satisfaction surveys B. Caldwell Opportunities compiles a bi-annual newsletter which is distributed to

the public. This newsletter typically contains events and processes within the program.

C. Releases are made via the local news media as appropriate. D. This program is an active member of the Caldwell County Chamber of

Commerce. E. COI is a member of “NCARF is a professional organization dedicated to

assisting its member organizations in the provision of services to individuals with disabilities. NCARF is composed of members representing North Carolina's community rehabilitation programs, Innovations Waiver providers, Supported Employment Vendors, and Residential Programs/Providers. Functioning as the unified voice of disability-related

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programs, NCARF is dedicated to ensuring that citizens of North Carolina are aware of the services provided by its members.”

F. This agency is a member of MARC which includes 27 primarily rural counties of North Carolina. Marc serves as a catalyst for innovations that improve the economic and social quality of life for people with disabilities and disadvantages. This organization also links programs throughout western North Carolina for subcontract work.

G. COI has a Facebook page where the agency is able to post information about client advocacy, recent activities and program information.

H. All agency vehicles will have COI logos on doors and rear to educate community of our agency presence.

I. COI participates in the Caldwell County Schools Interagency Transition Team which promotes school, agency and community collaboration to improve transition outcomes for students with disabilities and their families. COI has participated in team meetings, IEP meetings with students and families, offered tours of the agency to students, families and education personnel and attended the transition fair for students and families to gain knowledge about programs/services available post high school.

V. Caldwell County Demographics A. See Attached.

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VI. SWOT Analysis

STRENGTHS CARF Accredited Advocacy: COI promotes advocacy both internally and externally: Internally:

• Advocacy Bulletin Boards and Resource Book in break area • Post news and updates related to our clients on our Facebook page • Advocate for clients through case management activities • Advocacy is discussed at Consumer Meetings • Management at COI maintain at open door policy to always be accessible to clients,

staff and stakeholders. Externally:

• COI is a member of NCARF that employees an advocate for Community Rehabilitation Facilities in the North Carolina State Government

• COI is a member of MARC which is a member of Access, lobbyist in the federal government that represents service providers that provides exceptional services to people with disabilities across the United States.

• COI is a member of Caldwell County Interagency committee that assists students and families with planning post-educational services.

• COI participates in Vaya Health’s Provider Advocacy Committee that combines the LME/MOC, Providers and Families to discuss policies, services, concerns and upcoming changes.

Financial • COI is a private non-profit • COI currently has no debt including: Facility, Property, Transportation Fleet and

equipment. • COI is audited annually by an external accounting organization; COI has had no

identified issues within our financial procedures. • COI is financially secure • COI maintains all required insurance. • Several local grants, foundations, churches, and families that donate funds annually

Facility • Fleet is well maintained; repairs and maintenance are performed by Lenoir Automotive

who has an agreement with COI to ensure quick turnaround times and quality service. • Forklifts have weekly inspections and are serviced annually by Davenport Forklift

Repair • Adequate space for expanding if necessary

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WEAKNESSES

• Caldwell County is a large area to provide transportation within the time limitations. • Lack of public/community awareness of program • Dependent upon government budgetary decisions • Stakeholder Education/Advocacy • Limited opportunities in Caldwell County for appropriate volunteer work • Limited opportunities in Caldwell County for community activities that can be

accessed during program hours • COI has seen the number of referrals for the ADVP program decline since the VR

program was discontinued. • Limited qualified applicants for staffing positions.

Programs: • Offers pre-vocational training, the only site in Caldwell County • Has incorporated Integrated Health Care into programs with activities such as weekly

Healthy Living classes and quarterly challenges to promote exercise and nutrition. • COI volunteers within our community monthly • COI offers a variety of activities for our clients in the community including

participating in the Community Garden, Special Olympics, visiting local attractions and parks.

• Client satisfaction above average on client surveys. Production:

• Established relationships with local industry • Above average satisfaction on subcontract surveys • Ample, appropriate subcontract work available for clients. • History of quality and quantity of work produced

Staff: • All staff members trained to LME/MCO, CARF, NCDHHS and CMS standards. • COI can offer full benefits to all full-time employees including paid health insurance,

accidental insurance-, short- and long-term disability, life insurance and retirement matching benefits.

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OPPORTUNITIES • Continue networking and establishing contacts via NCARF, Chamber of Commerce,

MARC, ACCSES, Caldwell County Schools Interagency Committee, Vaya Health (Provider Advocacy Council and Innovations Stakeholders meetings).

• Development of marketable materials for community, local business and potential clients

• Marketing our programs and subcontract capabilities at community festivals and events.

• Increase Stakeholders education through meetings and advocacy • Pursue potential additional sources of revenue through various foundations, grants,

local civic groups, churches, and governmental agencies • Explore other service areas for expansion • Explore higher skilled subcontract work, potentially for non-disabled workers.

THREATS • Limited Innovations slots awarded in North Carolina/Vaya Health • North Carolina’s plan to transition Medicaid to Managed Care • Additional reductions in North Carolina’s single stream funding budget • Federal changes or elimination of the 14-C certificate • Federal changes or reductions to Medicaid • Federal changes to health care laws • Low referral rate for ADVP and Innovations clients

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STRATEGIC FOCUS AREAS WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

Goal 1: Recruitment of Qualified Staff Strategies: Exposure at local job fairs, community festivals, Chamber of Commerce

Events Create a human resources position which would be point person for keeping

up with current standards and laws, seeking candidates, interviewing, and screening.

Create an Employee Handbook allowing for easier access to policies, benefits, etc.

Implement competitive starting salary Goal 2: Retention of Qualified Staff

Strategies: Create Employee survey to access and improve employee morale More opportunities for Employee Recognition: employee of month, etc. Continue to develop training model where all training is available in-house

through in-person or on-line More opportunities for additional training/conferences for Direct Support

Staff EXPANDING SERVICES

Goal 1: Become a provider of other services. Strategies: Complete application and process to be accredited with Partner LME/MCO Complete process to provide expanded services through Vaya LME/MCO Survey Adult services in the community to access current service needs in

the area Visit area Community Rehabilitation Facilities to see what other services

have been beneficial to them. Goal 2: Make public aware of new services offered by COI.

Strategies: Exposure at local job fairs, community festivals, Chamber of Commerce

Events, School systems to educate on COI and the services we provide Develop both printed literature such as brochures and flyers and online

videos to educate on COI and the services we provide Create tags to ensure that our Website/contact information appears on

searches such as IDD services, etc.

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LONG TERM GOALS (5-10 YEARS): Goals that will take longer to achieve and may be outside of the 2 year focus areas named in this plan.

GOAL 1 Reduction/Elimination of Sub-Contract Services – 14-C program. COI recognizes that the likelihood that the 14-C program through the US Department of Labor is likely to be eliminated. COI has also began making plans to expand services to more community based rather than facility based. COI plans to consider ways that the facility could be repurposed if COI no longer does sub-contract work, including expanding services and classes for persons with IDD as well as offering classes available to the community. COI will examine all jobs and develop a plan to reduce, leading to eliminate all subcontract jobs within the next 3 years. COI will work with clients and their families/caregivers to make a plan to transition them to their desired future plan, whether that be community services, job placement or non-vocational facility based services. Estimated time period: 3 years/January 2023

GOAL 2 Have current restrooms remodeled. Executive Director and Board of Directors will work together to locate a building contractor to assist with a complete bathroom redesign and construction. Currently the bathrooms at COI are older and need to be enlarged to serve our population. Estimated time period: 5 years/January 2025

GOAL 3 Identify Security Measures to Ensure Safety at COI/Eliminate unauthorized entrances at side and dock doors. Executive Director and management team will work with local emergency management personal to identify safety risks at COI. Management team will develop a plan of action potentially including safe guards that will eliminate unauthorized entrances at side and dock doors. Executive Director will take plan to the Board of Directors for guidance including breaking tasks up to smaller projects, seeking estimates for any necessary equipment and/or assisting with developing a plan to proceed to ensure security at COI. Estimated time period: 5 years/January 2025

Documents

Caldwell Opportunities, Inc. Strategic Plan January 1