2005/2006 Significant Accomplishments

1. Managed significant growth in all programs with the number of people served approaching 200 annually and our overall budget approaching 2 million dollars.
2. Continued to improve our overall safety record with corresponding drop in Worker’s Compensation premiums (+ more importantly no major injuries to staff or people served).
3. Ended the 05 fiscal year well “in the black” (+$61,000 overall) and will end the 06 fiscal year well in the black again. Positive cash flow this past decade has made it possible to complete a number of capital improvement projects in 05/06.
4. Enhanced our volunteer opportunities for people served in both counties.
5. Facilitated stronger self-advocacy groups in both counties.
6. Maintained our work crews while enhancing our Supported Employment efforts to reach our highest # of individual placements ever.
7. Increased the number of people served routinely attending college or other community programs in both counties.
8. Enhanced both art and computer access opportunities for people served in both counties.
9. Radically increased the number of people able to live semi-independently with help from our Supported Living service. (Consistently provide over 1000 hours of services to well over 40 people each month).
10. Continued to successfully advocate for enhanced public transit services in both counties.
11. Successfully advocated for sidewalks at major development close to Arc’s main office.
12. Clean audit for fiscal years ending 04 and 05.
13. Added AED defibrillators at both day program sites and secured necessary training for staff.
14. Facilitated Special Olympics participation for interested individuals for the first time in many years.
15. Successfully navigated a number of technology challenges at both staff and computer work stations.
16. Successfully managed a number of fund raising activities and events that raised money for our programs and services.
17. Made a decision to let go of the Christmas Bazaar.
18. Continued traditions of hosting PUSH America event, Holiday Board/Staff Party, Safety Celebrations, Birthday/Holiday Celebrations, Calaveras Awards Banquet, etc.
19. Increased benefit accrual for staff working at The Arc at 7 and 10 year milestones.
20. Held a very successful Awards Celebrations (4/05) which gave us the opportunity to publicly thank our many supporters. Over 150 people attended this event!
21. Continued to bring in outside consultants to help us identify areas where we can improve our safety efforts in our buildings, vehicles and practices.
22. Facilitated publication of outstanding newsletter by people served in Calaveras and initiated a “new” newsletter project in Amador.
23. Enhanced our connection with a variety of community groups including Operation Care, Knights of Columbus, Immaculate Conception Men’s Group, Amador Community Foundation, Amador STARS, Special Olympics, Amador Chamber of Commerce, Calaveras Community Foundation, Calaveras Soroptomists, Amador Kiwanis, Pacific Gas and Electric Foundation, Calaveras Women’s Crisis Center, Hospice of Amador and many others.
24. Enhanced our 125 benefit program for staff and switched from Spectrum to Sacramento based 3rd party administrator Pacific Benefits.
25. Maintained a quality health insurance plan via Blue Cross and cushioned staff from premium increases by creative use of self insurance component of 125 plan.
26. Transitioned 403B retirement program from Mutual of America to Vanguard to offer staff better fund selections, more control, and lower fees.
27. Maintained consumer driven recreation program in spite of funding reductions.
28. Secured 3% loan from the State (for $255,000) to facilitate completion of Calaveras project and a number of capital improvement projects.
29. Hosted a “Quality Assurance” audit of several programs by VMRC in 2005 and came away with a number of commendations from auditor Inta Wood.
30. In 2005 we were recognized by the State of California with a “WRAP” (Waste Reduction Award Program) award for our recycling efforts.
31. Continued to be successful recruiting top quality staff in a difficult labor market.
32. Sold the Ione property for $400,000.
33. Finished the Calaveras building and parking lot and moved in spring of 2006!
34. Scheduled hosting of Amador Chamber mixer in the fall of 2006.
35. Scheduled Board Retreat at new Calaveras building in August of 2006.
36. Replaced carpet in modular building in Calaveras and scheduled carpet replacement in Amador day program building.
37. Improved “old” Calaveras parking lot by using cement when paving it.
38. New asphalt and drainage work in Amador main office parking lot.
39. Painting projects completed in both counties.
40. Amador Sutter Hill landscaping enhanced by Amador Team.
41. New Calaveras landscaping installed and old landscaping improved via contractor and Calaveras Team effort.
42. Completed a variety of projects to facilitate the connection of the two Calaveras “campuses.”
43. Implemented Accessibility Action Plans for 05 and 06 that resulted in a variety of accessibility improvements including, remodeled kitchen in Amador, bathroom improvements in both counties, rebuilding ramps in both counties, paving and asphalt work per above, revision of Calaveras building plans for access and kitchen layout and appliances, and enhanced computer labs for people served.
44. Supported Living staff successfully advocated for people served so that there were no major medical impacts from the Medi-Care part D program.
45. Had a quorum at every Board and Executive Committee meeting held the last two years!
46. Continued to make listening to the people served a top priority via quarterly meetings, advocacy groups, and satisfaction surveys.
47. Initiated Community Stakeholder satisfaction survey June of 06 to complement the myriad of other satisfaction surveys we do annually.
48. Significantly increased enrollment in Calaveras to the point where the day program in Calaveras is now our biggest program!
49. Maintained experienced and effective Board of Directors.
50. Kept the Management Team intact.
51. Enhanced our public relations efforts and outcomes.

We did all of this and lots more thanks to the hard work and commitment of board, staff, families, and the people served. We are blessed with an outstanding Arc team!

Thank you to our communities and everyone involved with this great organization!