ERINOAKKIDS 2008 Strategic Planning Process

ERINOAKKIDS
2008 Strategic Planning Process

A Request for Stakeholder Input

ErinoakKids has initiated a strategic planning project to review its past accomplishments 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 ErinoakKids' emerging strategic directions.

The Process to Date

Members of the ErinoakKids Board and Senior Management Team established project terms of reference and selected an external consultant to help facilitate the process in June 2008.
The consultant conducted an "environmental scan" through a review of documented information, an internal staff survey conducted over the summer, interviews with representatives from key external stakeholder groups and all Board members carried out in July and August, and a meeting with the Senior Management Team on August 26, 2008.
On September 4, 2008 the Board and Senior Management team held a preliminary strategy development session to review the environmental scan information and identify broad strategic themes and high level directions.
Additional interviews with external stakeholders were conducted in September.

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" that will evolve as we hear more from our various stakeholders. Please read it carefully and consider the questions posed.

You may complete this form on-line below and it will go directly to the consultant. You will have a chance to edit your responses after you press "Submit". Focus questions have been provided to guide discussion and feedback. It is not necessary to answer all the questions - just pick the items that you are interested in.

Staff members will be invited to attend focus group sessions run by the consultant in late October. Input from external stakeholders is also being sought through interviews and meetings, as well as through direct responses to this paper. Regardless of how your respond, it is important that we hear from you by November 14, 2008.

ErinoakKids' new strategic plan will be finalized by the Board in November and used to guide our growth and development over the coming challenging years.

October 2008

Click here to download a hard copy of the paper...

THE ENVIRONMENTAL CONTEXT

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

Strengths:	Programs and services Staff expertise Commitment to family centred care Strong management and governance Reputation Positive internal culture Large player with comprehensive processes and systems
Weaknesses:	Low community profile Ongoing need for more collaboration and partnering Internal lateral communication between programs Limitations of program vs. global funding model
Opportunities:	Leadership in the sector Advocacy and providing input to the government agenda Integration of programs Outreach to the community Creative and innovative partnerships Research and academic links Foundation and fundraising
Threats:	Funding and cost pressures Shifting government priorities Increasing demands and expectations Human resource shortages Service system gaps
Any strategic initiatives undertaken by ErinoakKids 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:

What have been the major accomplishments of ErinoakKids since its last strategic plan was completed in 2006?

MISSION, VISION AND VALUES

Mission

A mission statement should be a clear description of the purpose, mandate and "business" of an organization. ErinoakKids' mission statement was last reviewed during the 2006 strategic planning process and appears below:

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

Focus Question:

Is the mission statement still valid?

Yes No

Feel free to suggest revisions.

Vision

A vision statement describes the "preferred future state" of an organization and its stakeholders. ErinoakKids's 2006 vision statement is as follows:

ErinoakKids 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 Question:

Has the organization moved toward this vision in the past three years?

Yes No

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. ErinoakKids's value statements were developed in 1997 and appear below:

1.  A creative and dynamic relationship with the people we serve
2.  Active participation in the life of the community.
3.  A supportive work environment.
4.  New knowledge and effective use of resources.

Focus Question:

Are these 1997 values still valid, or do they require updating?

Feel free to suggest any additions or revisions.

EMERGING DIRECTIONS

Key Priorities

Three key priorities have emerged from the planning process so far. These are broad directional goals that would guide the organization over the next three years:

PRIORITY	POSSIBLE INITIATIVES
Service Delivery:	Providing an integrated care model of service across and within programs; pursuing new methods of service delivery; addressing internal gaps and barriers
Leadership and Collaboration:	Strengthening partnerships; advocating for system change; providing provincial leadership in the CTC sector
Performance Excellence:	Innovation; continuous quality improvement; supporting research; educational affiliations; decision support; measurement and evaluation

Focus Question:

Suggest some additional initiatives related to service delivery.

Suggest some additional initiatives related to leadership and collaboration.

Suggest some additional initiatives related to performance excellence.

Are there other key priorities that should be considered by ErinoakKids?

Enablers

Enablers are things that need to be achieved in order for ErinoakKids to address its key priorities. The enablers relate to human, physical and financial resources:

ENABLER	POSSIBLE INITIATIVES
Human Resources:	Professional development; recruitment and retention; internal communication; change management support
Physical Resources:	Acquiring a new facility; ensuring state of the art technology
Financial Resources:	Establishing a Foundation; maintaining positive funder relations; identifying alternative sources of revenue; pursuing efficiencies

Focus Question:

Suggest some additional initiatives related to human resources.

Suggest some initiatives related to resource development.

Suggest some additional initiatives related to financial resources.

Are there other enablers that should be considered by ErinoakKids?

Please offer any other comments or suggestions regarding ErinoakKids' strategic planning process.

General

Focus Question:

Please offer any other comments or suggestions regarding ErinoakKids' strategic planning process.

Respondent Profile

Name (Optional):

Are you:

A Staff member
A Board member
A Parent
An External group or organization
Other (please specify below)

Your input is greatly appreciated.