Message From Our Associate Director

 

Now that the presents are open, the tree is put away, the last Christmas cookie has been eaten, and New Year resolutions have been made (and broken and made again), here is a recap of 2012 and layout what 2013 might look like for us here at Civitan Services.

But before we look at 2012 and ’13, I think it is really important for us to review our Mission. As you read the Mission Statement for Civitan Services don’t just read the words… look at each statement and reflect what this means to you. This is not just the company’s mission statement, it became YOUR mission statement when you began working for Civitan Services. 

Civitan Services provides quality educational and life skills training for people with developmental disabilities. We strive to make an impact in the lives of our clients and their families through specialized services and support offered in a safe, compassionate environment. We are committed to providing a facility and staff that will always meet the needs of people with disabilities in our community. Our ultimate objective is to help each person served maximize their potential for independence and become productive members of society.

 

2012 was a record year for enrollment in all three areas… Preschool topped out at 109, Adult Services ended up with 118 on roll and Waiver Services has a record 44 individuals receiving services daily. With this growth we have seen our employee numbers skyrocket to 145 employees.

2012 has been a year of planning and laying the ground work for our future. We have purchased new vehicles to ease the burden of transportation, purchased curriculum for both preschool and adult classrooms and have made great strides in meeting the needs of our clients (the proof is in the enrollment numbers!) Awnings were built over the walkways connecting the preschool buildings. Our biggest project has been the hiring of an architect firm to design a new adult service’s center in Bryant. These are just a few items that come to mind.

 With 2013 we hope to see several projects completed that will affect the way we do things… The two most notable will be moving the adult program into their new building in Bryant and CARF Accreditation. The plans for the building are being finalized and we are preparing to hire a contractor to start the building process. In addition, we will be kicking off a fundraising campaign for this building and future renovations to the existing building. Our plans are to be in the new building by the end of 2013. This will ease the overcrowding issue that we are currently experiencing but at the same time it will create additional problems related to having two campuses.

 Though we have talked about CARF for years now, this is the year that we will actually pursue the accreditation. Our plan is to submit a request for certification in February and plan for the actual survey in September. We have completed a lot of work on this project already, but we still have a ways to go. Part of this process has been the completion of a Strategic Plan. This plan lays out the roadmap for what our agency plans to work towards in any given year. Some of our goals are as follows for 2013:

1. Obtain CARF Accreditation

2. Obtain Better Beginnings status – Phase II and Phase III

3. Optimizing the space we have for services

4. Build the Adult Services building

5. Increase the Health and Wellness of our clients

6. Increase staff retention and training opportunities

7. Develop marketing and fundraising opportunities

8. Increase opportunities to meet the needs of the individuals we serve

9. Improve communication, transportation and quality of services.

 

As you begin preparing for the New Year, I hope that each of you will take into account where we have been and where we are going. As one close friend stated in her New Year’s Resolutions… she planned to “Enjoy and take in every second that she has at Civitan and serve the clients to the best of her ability” this coming year. I hope you will do the same. Happy New Year!