ERINOAK 2005 Strategic Planning Process

ERINOAK 2005 Strategic Planning Process

A Request for Stakeholder Input

Erinoak has initiated a strategic planning project to refresh its 2001 strategic plan and identify future directions and priorities. The new strategic plan for the organization is being developed with the extensive involvement of our internal and external stakeholders. This discussion paper has been prepared to inform you about the project and solicit your input to Erinoak's emerging strategic directions.

The Process to Date

Members of the Erinoak senior team established project terms of reference and selected an external consultant to help facilitate the process in January 2005.
The consultant conducted an "environmental scan" through a review of documented information, a facilitated session with the full management team in February, a Board briefing session in March, and interviews with representatives from key external stakeholder groups carried out in April 2005.
On Saturday, April 30th the Board, management team and a cross-section of staff participated in a strategy development session. They reviewed Erinoak's past accomplishments, examined the information from the environmental scan and drafted some preliminary strategic goals.
Additional interviews with external stakeholders were conducted in May and June.

What Happens Next?

The next step of the consultation process begins with this discussion paper, which reflects the thinking of the participants in the planning process so far. This is "work in progress" which will evolve as we hear more from our various stakeholders. Please read it carefully and consider the questions posed.

Comments from the following form will be submitted directly to the planning consultant. Focus questions have been provided to guide discussion and feedback. Staff members will be invited to attend focus group sessions run by the consultant in July and August. External stakeholders are also being invited to respond to the discussion paper.

Responses must be received by August 31, 2005.

Erinoak's new strategic plan will be finalized in September and used to guide our growth and development over the coming challenging years.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL CONTEXT

The following "SWOT" analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) for Erinoak has been assembled from stakeholder feedback:

Strengths:	Broad range of services with four locations in region Professional and dedicated staff with specialized expertise High level of client satisfaction Family centred philosophy of care Commitment to quality and evidence based practice Positive internal culture with good staff morale Proactive, creative and innovative approach to problems Solid reputation, history and tradition Seen as a major system player
Weaknesses:	Human and physical resources stretched thin Access/wait list difficulties Low brand awareness and recognition by the public Inflexibility of program-based funding Lack of capital funding available through MCYS Limited capacity for fund raising Seen as inwardly focused by some stakeholders Communication between multiple sites and programs Pressures with government relations
Opportunities:	Expanding services to meet needs Increased integration across a broad spectrum of services Raising Erinoak's profile Improving community linkages New partnerships with regional stakeholders New and innovative approaches to funding Education, training and research Leadership and advocacy for integrated services for children
Threats:	Increasing gap between needs and resources Increasing client expectations Competition with other funding priorities Political pressures and adverse publicity re: Autism Potential for staff and volunteer burnout Inflationary operational costs within a fixed funding environment Growth outpacing capital infrastructure
Any strategic initiatives undertaken by Erinoak should build on strengths, rectify weaknesses, capitalize on opportunities and address threats.

Focus Question:

Should any other strengths, weaknesses, opportunities or threats be considered?

Strengths:
Weaknesses:
Opportunities:
Threats:

MISSION, VISION AND VALUES

Mission

A mission statement should be a clear description of the purpose, mandate and "business" of an organization. Erinoak's mission statement was developed during the 2001 strategic planning process and appears below:

The mission of Erinoak is to support children and youth with physical, developmental and communication difficulties. By meeting the challenges of their diverse needs, Erinoak will assist clients and their families to reach optimal levels of independence, health and well-being.

Focus Question:

Is the mission statement still valid?

Vision

A vision statement describes the "preferred future state" of an organization and its stakeholders. Erinoak's vision statement is as follows:

Erinoak will be recognized as a regional centre of excellence providing comprehensive family-centred services that promote full inclusion in community life for clients and families. The Centre will provide community leadership through collaboration and advocacy and will be a preferred place of employment.

Focus Questions:

Have any organizational aspirations been overlooked?

Are there any suggested changes to the vision statement?

Values

Organizational values are formal statements of beliefs that guide an organization in its relationships with its stakeholders as it discharges its mission in pursuit of its vision. Erinoak's value statements were developed in 1997.

Erinoak strives to adhere to the following organizational values in all its activities:

A creative and dynamic relationship with the people we serve...
- Where we will honour and support the client's family unit
- Where we will establish respectful, responsive and supportive partnerships with our clients and their families
- Where we will recognize and respect the unique abilities, needs, talents and values of each client and family
Active participation in the life of the community...
- Where we will honour and promote communities which include everyone
- Where we will honour the contribution of each individual
- Where we will build the relationships with other organizations in the community to create opportunities for the people we serve
- Where the richness of the multicultural community we serve is recognized and appreciated
A supportive work environment...
- Where we will maintain a caring and appreciative relationship with staff and volunteers
- Where we will support the physical and emotional health of staff
- Where we will encourage professional development and innovative practices
- Where we will encourage participation in organizational planning and decision making
- Where we will actively promote communication and collaboration among all staff across programs, departments and locations
- Where we will honour, celebrate and share success
New knowledge and effective use of resources...
- Where we will use all resources in an efficient and cost effective manner
- Where, with respect to people with disabilities, we will support and provide leadership in the creation of new knowledge through research and promote greater understanding through education

Feel free to comment on Erinoak's organizational values:

EMERGING GOALS

A number of broad strategic directions have emerged from the process so far.

These are listed below and categorized under the quality dimensions of Erinoak's "Balanced Scorecard".

Access, Navigation and Integration

Ensure early and accurate triaging of clients
Make it easier for clients and families to navigate the system
Seek out and actively promote opportunities for improved integration of services for children
Expand the range of service delivery options available to clients
Improve client links to community resources and opportunities

Exemplary Programs and Services

Ensure a comprehensive range of services for all clients within available resources
Identify and advocate for funds to respond to gaps in the children's service system
Continue the development of quality and outcome indicators for all programs and services
Promote, support and conduct research to quantify best practice, establish benchmarks and create and refine clinical pathways
Become a regional centre of excellence in the provision training for our professional communities and educational partners

Client and Community Focus

Foster and support client participation in community life
Raise the public profile of Erinoak and increase awareness of its programs and services
Expand and enhance partnerships and alliances that add value to children's services within the community
Support the development and implementation of an effective children's agenda

Worklife/Learning Organization

Foster an environment where staff, management and volunteers are valued, heard, appropriately recognized and rewarded
Support staff professional development and efficacy in service delivery
Improve communication across programs to facilitate communication, resource sharing and client transitions
Continue to roll out the "Learning Organization" philosophy throughout Erinoak
Ensure competitive staff compensation
Develop and implement a succession strategy

Resource Management

Advocate for appropriate levels of long-term global funding
Develop sources of non-governmental funding and explore the establishment of an Erinoak foundation
Review administrative, clinical and support roles necessary to support a growing organization and implement appropriate changes
Implement a redevelopment plan to address pressing facilities requirements
Establish an integrated IT system to monitor and support organizational goals
Advocate for increased capacity for systematic data-driven planning and decision making
Continually pursue opportunities for increased efficiency and effectiveness in all clinical and administrative operations

Focus Question:

Are there any suggested revisions to the draft goals?

Access, Navigation and Integration:
Exemplary Programs and Services:
Client and Community Focus:
Worklife/Learning Organization:
Resource Management:

Focus Question:

Have any important goals been missed?

Comments & Suggestions

Please offer any other comments or suggestions regarding Erinoak's strategic planning process:

Individual/Group completing form: (Optional)

Your input and support of this important process is greatly appreciated.