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East Bay Innovations Strategic Plan
Fiscal Year 2008-2010

Report on 2005 to 2007 Plan

These objectives were achieved:

These goals were not achieved:

Present Status

The agency continues to grow an average of 15 to 20% per year both in staff, people served and in budget size. Presently the Independent Living Service and the Employment Service serve approximately 90 consumers each, and EBI’s Supported Living Service serves about 35 individuals.

The main initiatives EBI is involved in now are; a strategic partnership with the Consumer Directed Services Network (CDSN) and Service Employees International Union (SEIU) aimed at achieving better training and compensation for staff and better services for consumers, and; a collaboration with 4 local supported employment agencies to replicate a successful job internship program called Project Search in health care and other employment settings in the Bay Area.

Strengths:

EBI is well regarded and trusted by local public funding sources (DOR and regional center) and several local foundations. We have enough credibility with these sources to be able to introduce new ideas to enhance services and to have them funded.

We have a good statewide reputation and are beginning to establish a national reputation through our work with University of Minnesota Center on Training and Research, O’Neill and Assoc. (State of Washington) and Project Search (Ohio).

We have a very committed core of direct service staff, supervisors and directors. We do a good job at recruiting and selecting staff who are committed to our mission. We have a strong Board of Directors that is also committed to our mission and is starting to expand its fundraising capacity.

EBI is skilled at establishing partnerships with other agencies. We have demonstrated this skill repeatedly over the years in our efforts to promote affordable housing opportunities and to advocate for legislative change.

Weaknesses:

We struggle with funding. The State budget has frozen or cut funding rates in 7 out of the last 8 years. This coupled with the fact that EBI operates in one of the highest cost areas in the nation has led to high staff turnover. Because of low funding and growth we are stretching our cash flow at times.

We have a minimal staff training curricula/system. Its under-resourced, another impact of State budget, and it is difficult to reach such a decentralized staff. This adds to turnover.

We have a relatively small amount of our budget that comes from private fundraising (events and appeals).

Opportunities:

The CDSN/SEIU partnership could turn into a powerful vehicle to address our workforce issues. CDSN has good fundraising potential which in turn helps us upgrade our recruitment, HR systems and training at low cost. Legislatively SEIU has significant clout with democrats in the State Legislature and also has a voice on the Federal level. The SEIU connection could lead to legislation to raise wages.

We are expanding our board to include more people of color and people who are connected to money. We have hired and have been working with an experienced fundraising consultant who is helping us to develop a fundraising plan and getting the board more involved in raising funds.

Threats:

CDSN need more provider agencies to join if it is to survive. Most all providers are fearful of partnerships with unions, so getting agencies to join is a struggle.

If we do not receive funding increases from the State we will continue to struggle find and retain staff.

Program Goals 2008 to 2010

Fund and start the Community Connections Project:
The CCP consists of a MFT holding support groups to help the people we serve understand how to build and maintain healthy relationships.
Who does it?
Linda Ratner – Grant writing, Tom Heinz and Carol Menz – Program Implementation.
Target Date: 10/08

Expand Project Search sites:
Children’s Hospital starts 9/08, we want to expand to one Kaiser site and a site with Alameda County by 9/09.
Who does it?
Lori Kotsonas, Tom Heinz
Target Date: 9/09

Expand Public Sector Employment Opportunities:
We support 4 people who are city of Livermore employees and 3 who are Alameda College employees. We have established a partnership with SEIU local 1021 to develop more public sector employment initiatives. We want to expand this effort to place five more people in the next two years.
Who does it?
Lori Kotsonas, Tom Heinz
Target Date: 9/10

Cultivate relationships with dentists:
It has become very difficult to assist the people we serve to find quality, reputable dentists that accept MediCal patients. We want to establish a network of dentists that might serve people that EBI supports on a pro-bono basis. This will entail a coordinated effort by EBI management and Board to identify possible dentists and to approach them about this idea.
Who does it?
Managers and Board
Target Date: 11/10

CDSN Partnership 2008-2010

Implement DSP training system and mentoring program:
Presently EBI is working with CDSN, University of Minnesota Center on Community Living and Strategy, Inc. on developing a Direct Service Professional (DSP) training program. We have implemented a Frontline Supervisor (FLS) training program that started in the Spring 08. Both these programs will lead to a new mentoring program, where trained and experienced staff are paired with new staff to help them learn and be successful at their job.
Who does it?
CDSN, EBI, Strategy
Target Date: 10/08 start DSP implementation

Implement IHSS pilot project:
Supported Living staff often are required to take IHSS funds for part of their compensation. Alameda County administers IHSS and the paychecks and timecards are often incorrect or late in arriving. This causes many problems and leads to staff turnover as well as a drain on EBI’s finances (we loan money to staff if their checks are late. CDSN and SEIU have submitted a proposal for a pilot project to the County that would streamline this process.
Who does it?
EBI and CDSN
Target Date: 10/08

Implement HRIS:
Through CDSN, EBI has access to an HR information system. This has potential to improve efficiency and reporting on a variety of administrative functions.
Who does it?
EBI and Link Allen (HR consulting Group)
Target Date: 10/08

Implement e-recruiting system:
Again through CDSN, we can access an e-recruiting system. This system could greatly improve our ability to share info about applicants and track their progress through the hiring process.
Who does it?
EBI and Link Allen
Target Date: 12/08

Work with CDSN and SEIU to increase wages and benefits:
CDSN and SEIU are working with the State Assembly to create a Select Committee on DD Workforce Issues. EBI will help provide data and testimony to increase understanding on the Legislature as to the workforce challenges we face.
Who does it?
EBI, SEIU, CDSN
Target Date: 10/08 to 2010

Fundraising

Contract with Fundraising Consultant to help with donor cultivation:
Contract with Lela Devia to work with Tom and EBI Board on donor cultivation, direct appeal pieces, events and an overall fundraising plan.
Who does it?
Fundraising Committee
Target Date: 2/08

Purchase and implement donor tracking system:
We have purchased the software and we need to install. Software not compatible with our computers. We need to work with IT consultant to install.
Who does it?
EBI and Link Allen
Target Date: 12/08

Disaster Preparedness

Recruit 35 staff to serve as emergency response staff:
We have hired a part time emergency response coordinator named Elane. Elane is starting to attend staff meeting to recruit staff.
Who does it?
Elane
Target Date: 10/09

Implement in house emergency responder training:
Elane is developing a training to prepare emergency response staff for their roles.
Who does it?
Elane
Target Date: 11/08

Secure funding for 15 Blackberry communication devices:
These would be issued to Director and Regional Coordinators to better communicate in the aftermath of a disaster.
Who does it?
EBI and Link Allen
Target Date: 12/08