Strategic Plan
2010
Executive Summary
Blue Sky, Inc. is a small corporation serving children and adults with developmental disabilities as well as children and adults with mental health disabilities in the communities where they live. The founder of the company has more than 15 plus years of experience providing services to people with disabilities.
Blue Sky, Inc. applied for, and was granted, a Rule 245B license by the Department of Human Services effective 12-31-03 and we started serving customers the following June. The company plans to provide an array of services including but not limited to Individual Living Skills, SLS 30, Supported Employment, Residential Services, Respite Care, Family Counseling and Training, In-Home Family Support, Customized Employment Services, Residential Services, Case Management Services and Relocation Coordination Services.
This Strategic Plan is intended to outline and direct the activities of the company over the next five years. We will continually review the plan and make adjustments as necessary based on the marketplace and input from stakeholders.
Our goal at Blue Sky, Inc. is to provide quality person centered services and customized services. To achieve this, we will focus on providing supports that meet the desires of the participants and based on those desires, we will with their participants in IDT meetings, develop a customized plan. Staff must be trained and skilled and this can be accomplished through training opportunities for our staff, in innovative approaches to meeting participants’ needs, continually improve and streamline our operations, and maintain a strong financial position to ensure our long-term success.
Vision
Within five years Blue Sky Inc. will be a leader in the provision of community based support services for person who are differently abled by providing person centered and customized services.
Mission
BSI strives to enhance the quality of life for children and adults with disabilities by providing community-based support services founded on integrity, dignity, and respect.
Core Operating Values
Great Customer Service
Our focus on customer service extends to both our primary customers (the individuals we serve), and to our secondary customers (businesses, employees, and government agencies).
Integrity
To us, this means providing quality services to the best of our ability, providing staff with the resources and skills necessary to do their job, and providing a fair and cost-effective service to the businesses and government agencies we work with.
Social Responsibility
Our role in the community is to serve as a conduit for forming relationships between people with disabilities and the community in which they live. This includes not only helping to form employment relationships, but to find other opportunities for people such as volunteering and community participation. Blue Sky Inc is members of the local
Chamber of Commerce, Rotary as well as the CEO is on the Broad of Directors of ARC and DMRA.
Creativity
A part of providing quality services is continually seeking new and innovative opportunities for the people we serve. As the needs and desires of the people we serve change over time, we need to be prepared to think in new ways to continue to offer them the services they want to purchase.
Financial Sustainability
A strong and sustainable financial position is integral to providing quality service. Through making prudent growth decisions, and maintaining an efficient administration, we intend to remain a financially viable company that is able to address unforeseen challenges is the future.
SWOT:
Strengths Financially stable Person centered Great staff Strong culture Good mission statement Positive scores on surveys for service | Weaknesses Lack of administration Annual accreditation No reserves Small office space Can respond to new opportunities |
Opportunities Geographical expansion Increase use of CDCS Veterans’ use of CDCS through VA hospitals. State taking over licensing Improve efficiencies and reduce costs through technology
| Threats State budget cuts County system redesign, lack of referrals as they work toward this new system Loss of key staff Increase in workers comp premiums. Market demand New competitors Economic uncertainty Stimulus money no longer available |
Underlying Service Assumptions
We do not find people for jobs, we find jobs for people.
We do not find people for homes, we find homes for people.
Everyone can attain a meaningful and satisfying job.
Everyone can become a contributing member to their community.
Choice and control lie with the participant. We are there to facilitate their choices, and to help them achieve their goals.
Customers
Primary Customers
Our primary customers are the participants we provide services to.
Secondary Customers
Our secondary customers are the government agencies we contract with, the businesses we have relationships with, the community we serve, and the staff people we employ.
Environmental Scan
Blue Sky, Inc. has positioned itself to be a unique choice for people in our area. In all of our services, we aim to put the person first, and build supports (customized) around what they desire. A focus on the participant has lead to steady and rapid growth over the past few years, and will be the key to our success in the future. We are operating in an environment where the licensing and regulations around supportive services are changing, and the funding for the services we are providing is under close scrutiny by both state and federal government. Finding more creative, community based, and sustainable supports for participants will be integral to our continued success.
BSI is a member of ARRM, the association for providers who provides update information on the legislative process and the following information is based on “alerts” from them.
Current political changes pose difficulty for Blue Sky Inc and opportunity. On the state level, the Governor proposes a 2% rate cut to the waiver but that is down from a projected 4.5% initially. With two months to go in the legislative session, the 2% could grow. On the county level, the Association of Counties has proposed a “Service Redesign” program. This program was put in rule back in 2009 with a 2012 deadline. The goal is to “regionalize” services among a set geographic parameter. One obvious regional outcome could be “pooling” waiver dollars which means it would be managed by a group made up counties representatives who enter into such an agreement. Another bill making itself through the legislative process in one that would allow the person seeking case management services to “choose” who they want for a case manager. All of these changes could have a direct affect on business, both positive and not so positive.
Based on information from Tom Anderson of the Department of Rehabilitation Services, DRS took a one million dollar cut per binumm the last budget cycle, when implemented, causes a reduction of staff at the department. In this year’s budget proposal, the recommendation is for a four million dollar cut to the DRS budget. If it makes it through the legislative process, would cause more reduction in service and staff cuts. The Federal stimulus monies are no longer available, which means BSI will lose that revenue for half of 2011.
Strategic Direction
Based on Blue Sky Inc’s mission, opportunities, threats and core values, and environmental scan, the company will work towards developing the most creative supports based on person centered planning. BSI will continually engage its primary customers in determining gaps in services while also strengthening its support services to meet ongoing needs of it secondary customer. BSI will also increase its visibility in the community through the use of marketing strategies and community involvement. To sustain quality services, the company will work toward developing a strong financial balance sheet that will enhance staff training and customer service.
Goal Areas
Financial
Blue Sky, Inc. will maintain a healthy balance sheet to ensure long-term financial solvency. We will review financial statements and our balance sheet on a monthly basis, with an annual review by an independent CPA.
Staff Development
BSI will seek the most qualified staff who will deliver on its mission as well as a bridge to the community for our customers. The company will implement a strong staff training program that will focus on its mission along with providing staff the opportunity for promotion with in the company. BSI believes that a strong work force is essential to the future of its own survival.
Program Development
Blue Sky, Inc. will create services that meet or exceed the participant’s dreams and desires based on their individual needs. This will be accomplished through strong staff training as well as through a strong financial balance sheet and staff adhering to the mission. Relationships with its referral sources must be strong as well, the company will focus on good relationship building with its referral sources, and in addition the company will focus on building and maintaining relations with the business community which it relies on for placement opportunities for its customers. Focus on becoming a better person-centered organization.
Growth
BSI will continually seek to stay relevant and financially stable by staying updated on current trends in the industry and implementing them through training.
We will increase the number of participants in customized employment over the next three years.
We will increase the number of job opportunity available to participants.
Operations Development
We will seek CARF Accreditation to help ensure that our business practices are formalized and structured in a way to help the company maintain its quality services.
We will assess our administrative structure to ensure that individuals can maintain a healthy workload as the company continues to grow.
Timeline
2010
Attain CARF Accreditation
Develop formalized Staff Training and Development Plans
Increase CES Services by 10 participants
2011
Increase CES Services by 10 participants
Assess administrative structure
Increase marketing activities and community awareness of our services
2012
Increase CES Services by 10 participants