annualreport.empowersimcoe.caEmpower Simcoe – Enjoy the 2022-2023 Empower Simcoe Annual Report

Empower Simcoe is a charitable, non-profit organization that is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. The agency was established in 1953 by parents wishing to offer their children with intellectual disabilities an alternative to institutional placement. Contact Info +0123456789 support@themes.com 1234 North Avenue Luke Lane, South Bend, IN 360001 Download PDF Scroll Down 2022 - 2023 Annual Report Empower Simcoe THRIVE BE BELONG A Message From CEO Dr. Claudine Cousins Last year, was about moving forward. 2022-2023 has been a year of planning for transition and transformation to move forward. In April 2022, alongside a team of independent consultants, we began the process of consulting with our employees, people supported and families, two Boards, stakeholders and community partners, through a series of listening sessions and surveys, to gather input and advice on what the strategic priorities for Empower Simcoe should be for the next three years. In October 2022, our Board of Directors approved three new Strategic Directions for 2022 – 2025: Service Excellence, People & Culture and A Strong Partner. Alongside the work on our new strategic plan, an organizational review was simultaneously undertaken. The consultants who partnered with us on the Strategic Plan, provided recommendations that were folded into the strategic plan, and from this process, emerged key themes and the creation of committees formed to undertake this work. Play Video Watch Dr. Claudine Cousin’s Message Another transformation that will impact the developmental services sector is the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services’ Journey to Belonging: Choice and Inclusion plan to reform how supports and services are provided. I have been sharing information on this transformation directly with our employees by attending their team meetings and hosted virtual meetings with families and the community to help everyone understand what these upcoming changes could mean to us as an organization and to the sector as a whole. Read More Transformation is happening all around us; within the sector and the broader environment we work in. We want to be aligned with, and ahead of that change. We will leverage our reputation and expertise as we grow our organization by taking the good we are doing and making changes to what we could be doing better. We will continue to rely on the support of our strong Empower Simcoe and Foundation Boards of Directors, valued community partners, and stakeholders. However, it is the support, hard work, and dedication of our valued and loyal employees that will allow us to forge ahead in this time of transformation. The exceptional work they do will ensure we continue to provide supports and services to people of all abilities to Be, Belong, and Thrive . Dr. Claudine Cousins Chief Executive Officer Empower Simcoe EMPOWER SIMCOE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Protecting stakeholders’ interests, establishing policies for management, oversight of the organization, and making decisions about important issues Empower Simcoe faces. Strategic Planning Governance Legal Compliance Financial Oversight Resource Management Special Projects Empower Simcoe Board of Directors Valerie Scott, President Carla Kostiak, Vice-President Deborah Wall-Armstrong, Past-President Tim Berry, Treasurer Allison Bobette Roma Czech Craig Lilley Jacob McNamara Miriam Villamil-Pallister Brian Young I’m Valerie Scott, President of the Empower Simcoe Board of Directors. 2022-23 saw us put the pandemic behind us and return, for the most part, back to normalcy. I commend CEO, Dr. Claudine Cousins and her exceptional leadership team for bringing Empower Simcoe back to regular operations. Of course, none of this could have occurred without the notable dedication and support of all Empower Simcoe employees. The development and creation of our new three-year strategic plan was one of the most significant events in 2022-23. The Board was very involved in this important work and in full approval of the three strategic directions that emerged: Service Excellence, Our People and Culture and A Strong Partner. These strategic directions will drive the work that will be accomplished over the next three years. Annual Message From Board of Directors President Valerie Scott Another highlight of the past year was the completion of Lakeshore Ridge, Empower Simcoe’s new state of the art supported living home located in Oro-Medonte. On behalf of the Empower Simcoe Board of Directors, my heartfelt gratitude to all our valued donors for their commitment to making this new home a reality for people with developmental disabilities and other multiple complex needs. In 2023, Empower Simcoe celebrates 70 years of providing supports and services to our communities in Simcoe County. I know a lot of exciting events are being planned. 70 years speaks to the strength and commitment of this ever-evolving organization and the people, including our dedicated Empower Simcoe volunteers, who work tirelessly to ensure the people we provide services to, live a self-fulfilling life as part of their community. Keep up the great work Empower Simcoe! Valerie Scott President, Empower Simcoe Board of Directors Play Video Watch Valerie’s Message Core Values Core Values represent our highest priorities and core, fundamental driving forces. They are the heart of what our organization and employees stand for in the world. Learn More About Empower Simcoe Driven We strive to constantly move forward, while celebrating successes. Community We are accepting of all people and give each a voice. Accountable We work mindfully to empower every individuals goals. Respect We treat everyone with dignity, deserving of our full attention and commitment. Strategic Plan Where We’re At 2022-2023 Empower Simcoe’s 3-year Strategic plan for 2022-2025 was developed through engagement and consultation with the people and families we support, our employees, and the community, resulting in three key strategic directions: Service Excellence, Our People and Culture, and a Strong Partner. Our dedicated and hard-working Empower Simcoe employees are working on goals for each strategic priority to meet the needs of people receiving supports and services. This ongoing work is essential to change how we do business to meet the transformation agenda envisioned by the Ministry of Children, Community, and Social Services through Journey to Belonging: Choice and Inclusion. Priority #1: Service Excellence As a responsive and forward-thinking organization, Empower Simcoe finished construction on Lakeshore Ridge; a state-of-the-art treatment home in Oro Medonte to support complex individuals with multiple challenges. Construction is also underway for a specialized transition home in Orillia to support individuals interested in acquiring living and social skills to enhance their independence. This new home is on target for completion, with an anticipated opening date of November 2023. Empower Simcoe continues to invest in technology solutions to streamline its operations. In 2022, Empower Simcoe launched an Electronic Medication Administration Record system (EMAR) piloted by five supported living locations. Priority #2: Our People and Culture Empower Simcoe transitioned its Human Resource Department to People and Culture, focusing on transforming not only our work but our culture to meet the needs of the future. Much work has been done in this strategic direction resulting in robust recruitment strategies featuring a new, engaging recruitment video, revamped job postings, an employee referral program, and a partnership with the York/Simcoe Collective to promote a career in the developmental sector. Also, in 2022, People and Culture continued to implement the equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) strategy as outlined in the Equity Diversity Inclusion Advisory Council’s work plan in creating an organization where everyone belongs, People and Culture provided Safer Spaces training to...