2013 Annual Report Champlain Community Services

“Community is our middle name” Champlain Community Services

Our Mission is to help individuals with developmental disabilities experience all of life’s opportunities by enhancing self esteem, maximizing independence, and enabling community membership.

512 Troy Avenue, Suite 1 Colchester, VT 05446 802.655.0511 ccs-vt.org From the Executive Director

Welcome to our Annual Report

FY 2013 represented an exciting time of rebirth for "the little agency that could," and that has, for more than 46 years!

We completed a total interior renovation of our building at Fort Ethan Allen. This brought out the best in this beautiful and historic structure, and allowed us to stand poised for growth over the next 46 years.

As executive director, I feel a strong commitment to both our past and our future. CCS is a unique and special place, founded and developed by families. While we've grown and branched out over the years, we've maintained our ability to provide personal and creative services. Having been a part of CCS for more than nine years, my primary goals are: to help ensure our agency continues the wonderful work of providing valuable employment, community, and residential options to the people we serve; to maintain our strong sense of community; and to develop, train, and sustain our staff so we’ll continue to deliver the highest quality, family-oriented supports in the state.

CCS, while small, is part of something bigger, and I also recognize an important role for us in the community. We have a responsibility to mentor our community about the real value of the people we serve. When the value of all people —no matter their differences or abilities—is embraced and understood, we all join the world a little more.

I invite all of you to join us in celebrating our wonderful new space, and being a part of this wonderful little agency. Stop by anytime!

Best,

Elizabeth Sightler

Champlain Community Services (CCS), Inc. is a not-for-profi t 501(c)(3) corporation, in its 45th year of service to our community. CCS offers supports to children and adults with developmental disabilities in Chittenden County and throughout northern Vermont. Our Services

Champlain Community Services, in its 47th year of serving its community, offers carefully coordinated one-to-one supports to adults and children with developmental and intellectual disabilities in Chittenden, Franklin, and Grand Isle Counties.

CCS serves a vulnerable population, with changing needs, providing lifelong supports in a dynamic world. Our small size, experienced staff, and tradition as a family-centered agency enable us to design “whole person” support plans that are highly individualized. Individualized Service Agreements, designed collaboratively by individual consumers, family members, and other natural supports, working with CCS coordinating and direct-service staff, guide services throughout the year. Direct sup- ports are delivered by a dynamic and well-trained staff of Community Inclusion Facilitators, supervised by our experienced team of Service Coordinators.

Areas of service include: • supported employment through Way2Work • high school transition & career development through School2Work • home and shared living, including • independent living skills development • community engagement: education, • recreation & health, volunteerism, personal depelopment • support and encouragement for • self-advocacy activities • respite home (contracted)

Regular trainings provide staff professional development and ensure they have the knowledge and resources required to best serve our consumers. In addition to annual staff in-service training and retreat days, this year CCS staff received training in therapeutic options, communication & facilitated communication, job-coaching techniques, Alzheimer’s and early dementia, autism, personal/professional boundaries, as well as Red Cross First Aid and CPR.

Our Board of Directors Our Members CCS is governed by a Peter McDougall President & Treasurer volunteer board that meets ten Deb Rorris times per year, in addition to Vice President committee meetings and special Zoltan Sachs meetings. Committees include Secretary Executive, Finance, Personnel, Kerry Kurt Program, and Strategic Planning. Jill Shumway The Mission of Way2Work is to help individuals with developmental disabilities find paid employment that is meaningful to them, valuable to their employer, and inclusive in the community.

Champlain Community Services’ nationally recognized Way2Work supported employment program offers state-of-the-art employment—and self-employment—supports to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Way2Work offers highly individualized supports, building on each consumer’s vocational skills and interests.

We emphasize career development—or, when appropriate, micro-business start-ups—over mere “job placement.” Participants fi nd vocations within the competitive economy to establish a foundation for sustainable fi nancial security.

In addition to fi nancial rewards, Way2Work participants build important life skills from independent living to money management, and accumulate the social capital that comes from being part of the workforce or running a small business. Those we serve include both CCS consumers and individuals supported on a direct fee-for-service contract basis. Our partners include dozens of area employers, nonprofi t and government agencies, as well as local high schools and colleges, including Think College at UVM. Way2Work also serves as a resource for training and technical support in supported employment and self-employment to employment and vocational The United Way of Chittenden County rehabilitation agencies and professionals throughout invested $45,000 in the Way2Work Vermont and beyond. program last year.

Way2Work Statistics CCS is governed by a volunteer board that meets * For the second straight year, Way2Work was awarded additional fundingten fortimes exceeded per year, annual in goals for employment placement and retention. addition to committee meetings and special * This year, the Vermont Department of Disability, Aging, and Independentmeetings. Living Com- (DAIL) named Way2Work the State’s most successful supported employment program.mittees include * At CCS, 72 percent of consumers are participating in supported employmentExecutive, Fi- through Way2Work. (This is 50% higher than the next highest agencynance, in Vermont.) Personnel, CCS Values Communication

CCS remains committed to professional development for staff, as well as staying at or ahead of the curve on best practices for serving our consumers. This year, service coordinators Kate Martin and Liz Cross participated in The Summer Institute of Syracuse University’s Institute on Communication and Inclusion. Kate said the conference emphasized the importance of communications to full inclusion for people with disabilities. “It shed light on the tools and opportunities for augmentative communication, and, in a non-judgmental environment,” she said. Kate now serves on the Vermont Communication Task Force. Liz said she was fairly new to facilitated communication, but was inspired by the event. “It was good to get insights on what works and what doesn’t,” she said. “The participants and speakers represented a wide variety of communications abilities – what true inclusion should look like.”

Evolving Techniques, Technologies, and Best Practices

Technology can help build Community Communication Techniques

Jeron and his staff have been riding the city bus for over Individuals served by CCS refl ect a a year, and made acquaintance with other regular broad spectrum of communication passengers. Until styles and abilities. recently, Jeron was We tailor communication tools to the limited to saying “Hi” specifi c needs of the consumers we serve. and “Bye,” until he got an iPad. Some of the technologies and techniques utilized include: He and staff spent Wednesdays creat- ing communication • Facilitated boards on the iPad, Communication and he was able to • Picture Books expand the depth and • iPads breadth of conversa- tions. As a result, and • Dynavox these “acquaintances” got to know each other better, • Sign Language and now calls a number of them “friends.” Our Consumers Speak Up

At CCS, we listen. We encourage individuals we serve to express themselves through self-advocacy to speak for themselves, to make decisions, and directly address the issues impacting their lives. Con- sumers guide development of their individualized service plans at CCS, and fi nd vehicles and supports to engage the community beyond CCS. CCS hosts, and provides coordinating staff for, Champlain Voices, a self-advocacy group that meets weekly. Champlain Voices is open to anyone interested in self-advocacy, and in- cludes active members who are not CCS con- sumers. Members plan social and community service events—from picnics to food drives— problem solve disability-related challenges, mentor high school students, and connect with peers. Our consumers also speak out through a local cable access TV program, The Advocacy Group, on V-CAM, and through a consumer- driven newsletter called D.I.Y. (Do It Yourself).

Opportunities, Venues, and Supports

Paul received the prestigious Theresa Wood Citizenship Ryan was a keynote speaker at the Autism Award at Voices and Choices, the Annual Green Puzzle Foundation’s annual Benefi t Dinner Mountain Self-Advocates and Casino Night last April. conference, last May. The event was held at the Sheraton Burlington.

The award honors and carries on Theresa’s many years of dedicated work and commitment to full citizenship for people with develop- mental disabilities. The award recognized Paul The event, held at the Barre Memorial as the person who, Auditorium, represents the organization’s through his contributions largest fundraiser, and benefi ts both Autism to the community, best Speaks and the Autism Puzzle Foundation. exemplifi ed Theresa’s values of: creativity, leadership, Funds raised go to scientifi c research as commitment, determination, sense of humor, and respect well as education grants and assistance for for all people. the Vermont autism spectrum community. The Year in Review

CCS had an exciting year, fi lled with promise. Here are a just a few snapshots:

CCS staff formally welcomed families, neighbors, community partners, and public offi cials to our beautifully renovated building at Ft. Ethan Allen for an Open House. The event made the TV News!

We held another successful Benefi t Auction – our 8th annual. Many thanks to all our volunteers, especially Dzenana Dobraca who spent months on the project, earning recognition in the Burlington Free Press as a United Way “volunteer of the week.”

Our Annual Picnic brought together staff, consumers, families, Board and other volunteers. Once again, the Colchester Knights of Columbus sponsored our event – and cooked for us! – with volunteer support from AstenJohnson and Boy Scouts & Girl Scouts.

Consumers enjoyed the cultural resources available in our community – including the Flynn Center, ECHO Lake Aquarium, Shelburne Museum, and Shelburne Farms, thanks to our partnerships with those great organizations.

Proud to be a participating agency in United Way of Chittenden County, CCS held another successful workplace campaign.

CCS participated in the fi rst ever NonProfi t Palooza event, as well as career and internship fairs at St. Michael’s College and the University of Vermont.

We held fundraisers with community partners at Bluebird Barbecue, the Vermont Lake Monsters, and UNO Chicago Grill. And our own in-house fundraiser – the holiday raffl e that is a fun part of our annual Holiday Party – was a big success. Congratulations to Greg and Kenny, our top salespeople!

Our Consumers Give Back

CCS consumers regularly volunteer a signifi cant amount of time serving a variety of nonprofi t organizations. This year, that included the Humane Society, Burlington Health and Rehabilitation, Franklin County Food Shelf, Brownell Library, Ron- ald McDonald House, Pillsbury Senior Centers, Star Farm Nursing Home, Shalom Shuk, ReStore, and others. School2Work

School2Work is a career development initiative that prepares high school students with intellectual and developmental disabilities to make successful transitions to the competitive workplace.

Transitions are driven by individual career interests and skills. We offer skills assessment and work experience, internships, and part-time employment opportunities leading to meaningful employment —or self-employment—in industries of interest to our consumers, and post-secondary education or certifi cation training when applicable.

Designed by CCS, and building on the expertise and connections gained through our Way2Work program, this collaborative project brings together public, private and nonprofi t sector partners to provide a broad-based community approach. School2Work engages dozens of area employers, and The Bridge Consortium - special education directors at fi ve area local high schools (Burlington, Colchester, Mount Mansfi eld Union, South Burlington, and Winooski) to help guide program development.

CCS successfully piloted its School2Work program with a small number of students over the past two years, and is excited to formally launch the initiative, with community support.

School2Work goals are to: * ensure that every high school student has the chance for a career; a place to earn and contribute in our local competitive workforce. * ensure every business has a diverse pool of employees, armed with the skills needed for success in that industry, to choose from * offer those businesses a partner in training, development, and placement of industry-qualifi ed candidates * ensure that high schools see career development as vital to all students and include career development in individual education plans (IEP) * offer those high schools a partner with the expertise to deliver career development training – initial for students, ultimately for school-based job coaches.

In 2013, School2Work earned $10,000 in the Build a Stronger Vermont contest, sponsored by KeyBank and FreePressMedia. The competition drew proposals from agencies throughout Vermont, and School2Work fi nisthed third in a statewide vote. Left: CCS executive director Beth Sightler accepts the award, with James Fogler, president Free Press Media and Don Baker, Vermont market president, KeyBank Right: CCS supported employment director Michelle Paya Financials

STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION June 30, 2013 EXPENSES 7/1/12 - 6/30/13 ASSETS Salaries Contractual Fringe Operating Program/Client Transportation Building TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS: $ 1,151,529 $ 1,061,211 $ 370,981 $ 111,318 $ 210,661 $ 49,089 $ 72,719 $ 3,027,50 Cash$ 577,194 38.0% 35.1% 12.3% 3.7% 7.0% 1.6% 2.4% 100% Accounts Receivable 90,310 Prepaid Expenses 20,656 Total current assets$ 688,160 FY 2011 Expenses PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, at cost Land 18,500 Transportation Buildings and improvements 1,396,106 Building Furniture, fixtures and equipment 177,710 Program/Client Vehicles 151,925 Construction in Progress - Operating 1,744,241 LESS: Accumulated depreciation and amortization (525,764) Net property and equipment 1,218,477

TOTAL ASSETS$ 1,906,637 Salaries Fringe LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS

CURRENT LIABILITIES Accounts payable$ 203,684 Accrued payroll and related taxes 85,232 Other accrued liabilities 20,724 Deferred revenue 18,488 Current portion of long-term debt 37,871 Contractual Total current liabilities 365,999

LONG-TERM DEBT, less current portion shown above 362,207

UNRESTRICTED NET ASSETS 1,178,431

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS$ 1,906,637

STATEMENT OF ACTIVITIES AND CHANGES IN NET ASSETS FOR THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2013 REVENUE 7/1/12 - 6/30/13 Other SUPPORT AND REVENUE: Waiver Contracts Grants Fundraising United Way Rental Misc TOTAL Medicaid waiver revenue$ 2,874,822 $2,874,822 $ 38,278 $ 37,397 $ 24,921 $ 46,093 $ 21,600 $ (2,727) $ 3,040,384 Other contracts 12,295 94.6% 1.3% 1.2% 0.8% 1.5% 0.7% -0.1% 100% United Way 46,093 Grant income 37,397 Fundraising 24,921 FY 2011 Revenue Rental income 21,600 United Way Fundraising Rental Client Contributions 25,983 Grants Misc Interest 1,083 Gain/(Loss) on sale of assets (3,810) Contracts TOTAL SUPPORT AND REVENUE 3,040,384

EXPENSES: Salaries 1,151,529 Contractual 1,061,211 Fringe benefits 370,981 Operating expenses 111,318 Program expenses 198,529 Travel and transportation 49,089 Building expenses 72,719 Miscellaneous 12,132 TOTAL EXPENSES 3,027,508

CHANGE IN NET ASSETS 12,876

NET ASSETS, Beginning of year 1,165,555 Waiver

NET ASSETS, End of year$ 1,178,431

Note: the fi nancial statements above represent the agency’s unaudited internal fi nancial statement intended soley for the use of management of the agency and should not be used for any other pupose. Special Thanks to our Donors

Annual Fund Donors Karen Thom Boston Improv Asylum McKenzie Hot Dogs Anonymous Sandra Tumosa Boston Red Sox Meghan McCormick A Flower A Day Terry Starkey Bowl New England Inc Mike Reilly Photography Charles Allen Vermont State Employees Burlington Brew Tours My Little Cupcake ARC Motors, Inc. Credit Union Champlain Photography New England Business Journals Keith Bantle Patricia Waite Champlain Valley Fair Nicolas Heilig Scott Boardman Patricia & Michael Weaver City Market Northern Lights Laura Bowe Claire & Douglas Weston Horse N Rebel Northern Lights Cruise Bryan Burnadette Jodi Whalen & Phil Merrick Cody’s Irish Pub On the Road Vintage Nancy & Tag Carpenter Tammy & Giles Willey COSTCO Paragon Salon Basket Lars Cartwright Jane Williams Designer’s Circle Perfect Nails Colchester Knights of Robert Willey Dish Catering Periwinkles Columbus Woodwinds DivaDangler.com Petra Cliffs Climbing Center Tim Corey Irene Wright Dog and Cat Phoenix Books Kim & Michael Corley In Memory of Claire Shockey Dragonfl y Treasures Photo Garden COSTCO Pauline Daggett Eastern Mountain Sports Pretty Snappy Designs Mary Cuce John & Diane Forcier ECCO Price Chopper Kim & Jeff Dannies John & Helen Olson ECHO Lake Aquarium and Queen City Ghost Tours Tim Daubenspeck Science Center Randy Henson The deTuro Family In Memory of Alvin Gover esightler jewelry Refl ections Janet Felis Dianne & Gary Galvagni Essex Cinemas Salaam & The Men’s Store Andy Finelli Raymond Harvey & Sheila Ethan Allen Homestead Saratoga Olive Oil Company Firetech Sprinkler Ryan Ethan Allen Optical Shaws Dottie Fullem Caroline & James Winter Flashbags Shelburne Country Store Dennis & Sally Greeno Hazel Winter Flemming Museum at UVM Shelburne Farms Barbara & Joseph Other Cash Donations Flying Pig Bookstore Shelburne Museum Greenwald Bluebird Barbeque Flynn Center Silver Maple Editions Barbara & Harold Hill GoodSearch Gina’s Spic-n-Span Silver Maple Lodge IBM Employees Fund UNO Chicago Grill Glass by DEE Smugglers’ Notch Resort Mark Kane Vermont Lake Monsters Great Harvest Bread SEABA Scottt & Joseph Mapes Auction Sponsors & Guild & Company Spirit of Ethan Allen Cruises Main Street Landing Co. Co-Sponsors Hannaford Stella Mae Colleen & Paul Matte Competitive Computing Healthy Living Tea Basket The McDougall Family Kelley Homiller Homeport The BCA Center Robert Methot NorthCountry Federal Credit Hydrangea Too The Edge Charles Miceli Union Jay Peak Resort The Essex Patricia Myette Northern Benefi ts Jill Evans The Exchange Kevin O’Brien Noyes Automotive Just Sports The Lighthouse Pauline O’Brien Paul Frank + Collins Justin Levinson The Links at Lang Farms Sandra & Daniel O’Brien Vermont Federal Credit Union Katharine Montstream The Pour House Sean O’Brien Kiss the Cook The RehabGYM In Kind Donations Robert Orzell Lake Champlain Chocolates The Spot A Flower A Day Mollie Pascucci Lake Champlain Ferries Trader Duke’s A Little Something Simon Pedrotty Leonardo’s Pizza Tradewinds A Single Pebble Tim Pedrotty Leunig’s Bistro University Mall American Flatbread - Bob & Kathi Roesler Liebling Vermont Farm Table Burlington Hearth Cyrus Rogers Lynn Cummings Vermont Lake Monsters Apple Mountain Marion Schibi M.D. Cosmetics Vermont National Country Club Argento Laraine Fine Jewelry Robert Schicker Mad River Glen Vermont Teddy Bear Artemis Fitness Jim & Linda Scott Magic Hat Village Gifts & Tailoring August First Mick & Claire Shockey Magnolia Bistro VT Pub and Brewery Barnes & Noble John Tampas Maplehurst Florists WB Mason Bee Basket Thermal Control Products Margaret Ciechanowicz WND & WVS Bennington Potters Vermont Systems Marilyn’s Blue Cat Café & Wine Bar Gordon & Perry Thom Mazza’s General Store 512 Troy Avenue, Suite 1 Colchester, VT 05446 802.655.0511 www.ccs-vt.org