annual report 2018 - 2019 message from the traverse … · 2019-06-25 · 2 traverse independence...

ANNUAL REPORT 2018 - 2019

Traverse Programs• SupportiveHousingforadultswithphysical

disabilities(UnionLaneandStrasburgRd.,Kitchener)

• ABITransitionalLiving(StanleyAve.,KitchenerandFergus)

• ABIGroupHome(TaggeSt.,Kitchener)

• ABIAdultDayProgramattheOpportunity Centre (450WestheightsDr.,Kitchener)

• SpecializedABIDayProgramatBeginnings (450Westheights,Dr.Kitchener)

• ABIOutreachServicesinWaterlooRegionandWellingtonCounty

• ABIAffordableHousing(BowmanSt.,Waterloo)

Highlights Message from the Board President and the CEOPage 3 Accreditation AchievedPage 4 ABI Affordable Housing Bowman

Street Page 5 Client Journey to IndependencePage 6 Reorganization Page 7 Employee MilestonesPage 8 Financial StatementsPage 9 Client Services StatisticsPage 10 Mental Health First Aid

Message from the Board President and the CEOThe past year has seen several significant changes within the province’s health care industry. Most notably we have seen the dissolution of the Local Health Integration Networks (LHIN) in favour of a newly created structure called Ontario Health. The intent of the change is to improve the quality of care centred around the client, improve clinical guidance and support for providers and at the same time more efficiently allocate funds by removing redundancies found in the current structure.

Details of the changes are gradually being revealed to all concerned parties. This transition will take place over a period of a couple of years. At Traverse Independence, we are actively positioning ourselves to maximize the benefits to our organisation and our clients. We have joined province-wide teams that are ironing out the details of these changes. We are also setting new goals for Traverse Independence to align ourselves with Ontario Health.

A notable achievement by Traverse Independence that occurred late last year was receiving accreditation through The Qmentum Accreditation Program. This program, which is highly detailed, focuses on strengthening basic

structures and processes related to quality and safety within an organization. To prepare for accreditation

2 TRAVERSE INDEPENDENCE 2018/2019 ANNUAL REPORT

our staff and board worked tirelessly for over the year. Many policies and procedures were created or modified, and fundamental changes were made to the way data is collected and processed. Some of the benefits

of accreditation include better access to information and more defined responsibilities for staff along with ongoing quality improvement, a focus on client and staff safety and finally engagement with clients, families and employees. With this achievement came the attainment of the goals and objectives in the strategic plan and, as such, a new planning cycle is underway for the upcoming year. To date, the board has validated that the mission of the organization remains strong and we continue to serve those most in need.

We have added a new program offering affordable housing for those with a brain injury who have achieved their goals and independence. It is located on Bowman Street

in Waterloo. This is a congregate building, where six clients each have their own room and share a common living area and kitchen. They live on their own but receive about two or three hours of

service from Traverse Independence each week through the Outreach program.

A major area of focus for the board during the past year was engagement between the directors of the board, staff and clients. The board attended several functions including the barbeque at the Tagge St. Group Home and the employee gala. The board also rotated their meetings to the majority of sites, which will become an annual initiative that allows the board to tour the locations and interact with staff and clients.

We wish to thank all persons who served on the Traverse Independence board of directors over the past year. They made valuable contributions to Traverse Independence and the community in general and deserve full recognition for their efforts. We also want to thank the employees of this historic organization who tirelessly give of themselves to provide the quality services our clients and families appreciate day in and day out. Finally, a big thanks to those same clients and families who offered advice, insight and wisdom as we moved through our accreditation process last year to make sure the changes we made hit the mark.

Toby Harris Brian Clarke CEO Board President

TRAVERSE INDEPENDENCE 2018/2019 ANNUAL REPORT 3

Accreditation AchievedTraverse Independence is thrilled to announce that, in the fall of 2018, we successfully achieved accreditation under the Accreditation Canada Qmentum program!

This means we have met the national standards in the following major areas: Governance, Leadership, Infection Prevention and Control, Medication Management and Acquired Brain Injury.

These results could not have occurred without the valuable input and support of our clients, caregivers, employees and key stakeholders. Thanks so much from all of us at Traverse Independence.

Accreditation is an ongoing process of assessing services against standards, to identify what is being done well and what needs to be improved. Health care providers accredited by Accreditation Canada are committed to continually evaluate and improve their services in order to provide the best care possible to our clients.

We are now proudly permitted to display our accreditation seal.


ABI Affordable Housing - Bowman Street Traverse Independence has a long history of support for adults with disabilities working towards independence. The mission and vision have not wavered off this path for the past many years. The board of directors and our CEO have solidly guided the growth and expansion of Traverse to offer a variety of supports and services to accomplish this goal.

Our newest form of support will be known as “Bowman Street”. It is a six bedroom congregate home in Waterloo that will house current or past Traverse clients with a brain injury who are stable, independent and require affordable rent.

Housing is a serious issue across the province of Ontario and exacerbating this issue is the

restrictive income that adults are afforded through the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP). This makes it almost impossible to acquire affordable rental housing. The rent rates in both Wellington County and Waterloo Region are well above the amount a person on a disability pension can afford and those places with more affordable rent are marginal at best. In recent months, clients of Traverse who have graduated through the transitional living program and have no option but to return to unsafe situations or, at the worst, to the shelter.

Bowman Street is an extension of already existing Traverse Independence programs. It is a lovely home that can accommodate six clients. It will not be staffed 24/7, but will be assigned ABI Outreach hours throughout the week from the Outreach budget. A tenant council will be supported through our community facilitators. The common areas of the home have been furnished and the first residents have moved in.


A Client’s Journey to IndependenceGreg Gushulak is a forty year old man who has made great strides with Traverse Independence in the short time we have known him.

Greg was involved in a motor vehicle accident twenty years ago. After working the night shift at a factory, he was a passenger in a vehicle that was broadsided. He does not recall the accident but spent eight days in the hospital where he had two hand surgeries, a blood transfusion and a splenectomy. He had also sustained a brain injury. He was then released to his parent’s home, where he was bedridden for a month and received physiotherapy.

Greg has had a challenging road to recovery since his accident. Although he attempted to reenter the workforce after his accident, he was unsuccessful. He started using drugs and alcohol. After an overdose five years ago, he was introduced to Stonehenge Therapeutic Community through his parole officer. Greg completed an eight week program with them. Through Stonehenge, Greg found his way to Traverse Independence and went through the intake process. It was determined that he was a suitable candidate for our Transitional Living program at Stanley Ave. in Kitchener. Greg moved into his Stanley apartment in January 2019. He was also at the top of our waiting list to receive Community Facilitator support. Through both of these avenues Greg has thrived and found many opportunities to use his skills and diversify his life, both socially and intellectually. With the support of his Community Facilitator, Greg has set himself up

with ODSP, a dentist, and assistance from the food bank. He has become a regular member and participant at the Opportunity Centre day program and has also done some volunteering. Greg has proved himself to be very resourceful. He did some snow shoveling this past winter and is very interested in yard work during the warmer months.

Greg was doing so well at Stanley that, when an opportunity arose to move some clients in to our completely independent home on Bowman Street in Waterloo, he was the first one to be offered a spot and he accepted the invitation.

Continued on page 11


ReorganizationOver the past year, we have implemented a well planned reorganization of our management structure. This new structure will allow us to provide better support to our clients and staff at the various Traverse Independence programs and sites.

Senior management team

Aaron Willmott (above left), long-time manager of Transitional Living and various other Traverse programs, has moved into the position of director of Client Services at Head Office. Aaron has been instrumental on the management team for a number of years and was a key player in the recent accreditation process.

Jason Murray (above right) joined the team in June 2018 as our new director of Human

Resources. After a thorough review of our processes, he has implemented new practices for a.o. recruitment, scheduling and return to work of employees after

illness or injury. He has also integrated incident reporting in GoldCare, the electronic record keeping system that was introduced early 2018.

Having a keen eye for system improvement and quality will support Aaron and Jason in their new role on the senior management team. Together with CEO Toby Harris, they will give operational direction to the organization in order to carry out the board’s strategic plan.

Client Services Management

Three managers report to Aaron Willmott and each program has a service coordinator on site, allowing immediate response to client and employee needs:

• Sabrina Jesso, manager of Residential Services• James Rolls, service coordinator

Supportive Housing Union Lane • Charlene Martin, service coordinator

Supportive Housing Strasburg Road• Stephen Hall, service coordinator Tagge

Street Group Home• Jim Izzard, manager of Transitional Living

(Stanley Ave. Kitchener and Fergus)• Dan Holisek, service coordinator

Transitional Living Stanley Ave.• Jaime Harper, service coordinator

Transitional Living Fergusson PlaceContinued on page 11


Years of Service MilestonesTwelve employees were celebrated for reaching a milestone with Traverse Independence at the spring gala. The board and senior management expressed their thanks for their continued loyalty and the services they provide to our clients, and they presented each of them with a special gift.

30 Years of ServiceCheri McKinley

20 Years of ServiceJames Rolls and Jane Gingerich

15 Years of Service Rachel Stocco and Vivienne Simpson

10 Years of Service Krysty Melindy and Ashley Chessell

5 Years of ServiceEva Kotkowski, Sekou Toure, Soon Wah (Betty) Guok, Patricia Austin and Fabricio Portillo

Congratulations to Cheri McKinley (L) for her thirty years of dedication to our clients and our organization. Cheri is the first employee to reach that major milestone! This photo was taken on PSW day with two co-workers, Patricia Brown who retired last year after fifteen years of service, and Christina Panopoulos, who has been with us for 6 years.


Note: The figures are taken from the Audited Financial Statements for the business year April 1 through March 31.

STATEMENT OF OPERATION 2019 2018

Operations Eligible for Provincial SubsidyProgram Revenues 5,763,808 5,804,974Program Expenses 5,763,808 5,804,974Excess (Deficit) 0 0

Other Operations (Including Fee for Service)Other Revenues 444,758 457,393Other Expenses 270,670 402,367Excess (Deficit) 174,088 55,026

Excess (Deficit) of Revenues over ExpensesOperating Fund 174,088 55,026Capital Fund -42,250 -45,677

Excess of Revenues over Expenses (All Funds) 131,838 9,349

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION 2019 2018

AssetsCurrent Assets 409,228 500,720Property and Equipment 1,093,798 1,136,048Mortgage Receivable 179,820 176,445Total Assets 1,682,846 1,813,213

LiabilitiesCurrent Liabilities 288,648 550,853Mortgage Payable 112,504 112,504Total Liabilities 401,152 663,357

Net AssetsUnrestricted Assets 300,400 146,462Invested in Capital Assets 981,294 1,003,394Net Assets 1,281,694 1,149,856

Total Net Assets and Liabilities 1,682,846 1,813,213

*


CLIENT SERVICES

10748

2190

5141

7239

10190

1976

55826502

Supportive Housing Group Home ABI Transitional Living

ABI Day Programs

Service by the Day2017/2018 2018/2019

8733

10508

ABI Outreach

Service by the Hour2017/2018 2018/2019

30

624

133

30

617

107

Supportive Housing Group Home ABI Transitional Living

ABI Day Programs

Clients Served2017/2018 2018/2019

123

97

ABI Outreach

Hourly Clients Served2017/2018 2018/2019

i The number of service hours for Supportive Housing and the Group Home was lower than 2017/2018 due to client turnover.

ii The number of clients in ABI Transitional Living dropped in 2018/2019 due to an increase in the length of stay.

iii Outreach served fewer clients who received more hours of service per week.

*i *i *ii

*iii *iii


Mental Health First Aid (MHFA)Brain injury is very often associated with mental health and/or substance use disorders. A study by OBIA (Ontario Brain Injury Association) showed that 80% of respondents had trouble with anxiety, 76% had mood swings, and 76% coped with depression some or most of the time.

Mental health issues are also on the rise from an HR perspective. In a recent Canadian study, 82% of responding organizations ranked mental health conditions in their top three causes of short term disability (72% for long term). 30% of all short and long term disability claims are due to mental health problems and illnesses.

Just as physical first aid is administered to an injured person before medical treatment can be obtained, MHFA is given until appropriate treatment is found or until the crisis is resolved.

Traverse Independence supports continuing professional development and learning in an ongoing effort to improve the quality of care for clients. In 2018/2019 staff training focused on MHFA Basic, a course intended for adults interacting with adults. This course reflected on the four most common mental health disorders including substance related, mood related, anxiety and trauma related, and psychotic

disorders.

In the two day MHFA course, completed by the entire Traverse Independence workforce,

management and employees alike, we were instructed in the ALGEE framework:

Assess the risk of suicide and/or harmListen non-judgmentallyGive reassuranceEncourage professional supportEncourage other supports.

Knowing how to take care of people, supporting clients in their journey from injury to independence, and providing support to colleagues when times are tough or when mental health issues or burnout arise, is an ongoing challenge in our profession. The ALGEE framework will help us to have a confident conversation about mental health with clients, colleagues, family, friends, and strangers.


Reorganization - Continued from page 6

• Karen Liphard, Manager of Community Services (Day Programs, Outreach and Bowman Street)• Service coordinator Community

Services (vacant)

Intensive Case Coordination

Our new Intensive Case Coordination team has taken shape in the past year as well. Intensive case coordinator Leah Swann (left) is now assisted by occupational therapist Leta Stegne (middle) and her service dog Friday. Psychiatrist Dr. Patel (right) and board certified

assistant behaviour analyst Frank Nirta provide consultations for clients in the Intensive Case Coordination program.

Greg’s Journey - Continued from page 5

Greg moved in May and has done extremely well with the change. He has kept his areas clean and organized and taken control of organizing weekly garbage and recycling. Greg keeps himself busy by going to the gym with a friend on a daily basis, and spending time at the Opportunity Centre. He has adapted to bus routes and found his way around with relative ease. He continues to find opportunities to work where he can, spending a day last week ripping up floors for a neighbour and doing what he can to keep the outside of his new home in good shape. Greg has come such a long way and continues to prove himself to be a valued member at the Opportunity Centre and a great roommate at his new home.

Jaime Harper Service Coordinator


Board of Directors• Brian Clarke, President

• Danielle Critch, Secretary-Treasurer

• Directors: Brandee Faulds, Mahmud Hassain, Deb Randall, Dr. Nicole Didyk, Stephen Gross and Gayle Asselstine

Management Team• Toby Harris, CEO

• Jason Murray, Director of Human Resources

• Aaron Willmott, Director of Client Services

• Jim Izzard, Manager Transitional Living

• Sabrina Jesso, Manager Residential Services

• Karen Liphard, Manager Community Services

TRAVERSE INDEPENDENCE1-1382 Weber Street East

Kitchener, ON N2A 1C4

tel: (519) 741-5845 - email: [email protected]

www.traverseindependence.ca

annual report 2018 - 2019 message from the traverse … · 2019-06-25 · 2 traverse independence...

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