annual report 2014-2015 - Huron

ANNUAL REPORT 2014-2015
A message from our President: Betty Beer Vanrooy
I have a quote in my office at school, by motivational speaker Jim Rohn that simply says, “Your life
does not get better by chance, it gets better by change.”
As an organization working to build capacity and resilience in the families and children we serve, I
know that every individual, team and group at Huron Perth Centre is guided in their work by the
philosophy behind these words, as we support others to change their lives for the better. We
understand that every person, no matter how big or how little, how advantaged or how challenged, is
ultimately the designer of his own destiny. Life happens to each of us, and when we are faced with
barriers – financial, emotional, physical, or spiritual; accidental or intentional – we can choose to stay
stuck in that place and bump up against those roadblocks, or we can choose to change our path and
find new roads.
HPC is the road construction crew for families, holding the signs, directing the path, filling in the pot
holes, and paving the new roads to resilience and children’s mental health. This is the moral
imperative and the core work of every one of us at Huron Perth Centre. Our organizational roadmap
has been fraught with funding pot holes, accreditation detours, policy and governance lane
expansions, and of course the superhighway of system transformation. We have keenly felt the
pressures of following the road well-travelled, and have been expected to make significant lane
changes while travelling at full speed! And yet, our life at HPC, and more importantly, our work in
service of children, does not simply get better by chance.
Change happens. Change is inevitable. Growth, however, is optional. If we want to grow and develop
as an organization and lead agency, if we are compelled to consistently provide core services to all
clients in Huron Perth, and indeed across the province, then we need to embrace change and trust
the roadmap we have been given. This roadmap includes familiar places and links and engages
community partners to travel newly paved roads with us. It also brings us to new crossroads, and
leads us to new places of improved data collection and evidence-based decision making, clearer
policies and improved governance at all levels.
On behalf of the Board of Directors, I thank each of you for making this journey in service of children’s
mental health. It is your integrity, your dedication to your core work, and your belief in the power of
change, that sets your personal and professional standard for excellence. I salute each of you who
has dedicated your professional life, your caring heart, and your specialized skillset as a member of
the “road crew” to help those we serve. You are to be commended, and we thank you sincerely for
creating new roadmaps of life for children and families.
~ excerpts from Betty Beer Vanrooy, Board President, Address to Huron Perth Centre Staff and
Board of Directors, Annual General Meeting, June 18, 2015.
Children & Youth Mental Health
Services
During 2014-2015 our staff provided the following new core services and served many children in
Huron & Perth:
 Brief Services (served 252)
 Counselling & Therapy (served 415)
 Intensive Services (which includes our two Section 23 classrooms) (served 109)
 Consultation and Specialized Assessments (served 49)
Work has continued to develop our vision for the core Child & Youth Mental Health services
provided by Huron-Perth Centre. We are very excited about two significant changes that we hope
will make a huge difference:
 Our “Timely Access Team” that aims to make it easier for clients to connect to the Centre
and receive some initial clinical assistance at the point of call.
 More service time in “Counselling & Therapy”, the dominant service response required by
the children and youth who seek our assistance.
We are aiming to launch these changes sometime in 2015 and we will be pleased to share more
details as we finalize implementation plans.
Externally we worked with our community partners to define our local child and youth mental
health system and to identify key priorities for system improvement. Collaborative work is the
dominant focus.
We also invite you to read more about these provincial changes by visiting
www.movingonmentalhealth.ca
For the year April 1, 2014- March 31, 2015 the combined revenue from multiple sources totaled $
3,132,301
We are grateful to our funders who place their trust in us to render high quality services in Huron
and Perth. Annual Financial Statements are available upon request.
Three services funded through other sources offer additional services to respond to the
needs of children and youth:
“Coordinated Clinical Services for Children/Youth in Care” – this collaborative service
with Huron-Perth Children’s Aid Society provides shared intake for children/youth in
care and clinical services support child/foster-family/other family caregivers in
collaboration with CAS workers and other community partners (education, doctors,
probation) and served 35 children and youth.
“Dedicated to Probation Team” – this service funded by MCYS-YJ provides a Clinician
with access to 1-1 support from a Child &Youth worker to address needs identified by the
Probation Officer(s) and any assessment recommendations. This team works to reduce
risk factors and assist youth to reintegrate with community following any custody
placement and served 70 youth.
School Based Outreach Services – this service provides school-based support services to
youth in Huron secondary schools. This service is made possible through a purchase of
service agreement with the Avon Maitland District School Board and served 171 youth.
Huron-Perth Centre is more than just its children’s mental health services. Our Youth Justice Services
and some special adult services extend our reach and touch the lives of children, youth and their
families in Huron and Perth.
YOUTH JUSTICE SERVICES
Diversion Program (EJM) - Under the YCJA this service offers “extra-judicial measures” in Perth, precharge intervention with referrals from police and served 79 youth.
Youth Justice Committee Program –Perth – under the YJCA this service offers intervention postcharge, pre-court through crown referral; can also be referred by Diversion program to access justice
circles (conferences) and trained community volunteers helped to serve 24 youth.
Dedicated to Youth on Probation – Mental Health -Counsellors provide assessment and treatment at
times augmented by CYWs to youth referred by probation and served 70 youth.
Dedicated to Youth on Probation – Community Support - Child & Youth workers (CYWs) work with
Counsellors to address specific goal areas including but not limited to school issues, interpersonal
conflicts, employment/need for other supports to reduce risk areas for 24 youth.
OUR ADULT SERVICES
 Renascence – supportive counselling services for women who have been victims of
abuse; individual and group services, sexual abuse survivors group twice per year in
partnership with Women’s Shelter of Huron; provided service to 88 women; funded by
Ministry of Community & Social Services
 Delta – group treatment for partner assault in Huron with partner contacts a key aspect
to safety of women and children; provided service to 66 clients; funded by Ministry of
the Attorney General and client fees
 Male Survivors Pilot Project – a new initiative launched in 2012 this project offering
counseling to male survivors of child sexual abuse in Huron; funded by the Ministry of
Attorney General and served 6 clients.
In 2014-2015 we concluded the operation of our Employee Assistance Program.
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Our Quality Assurance Committee, led by Amanda MacDonald, newly appointed QA
Manager, provided oversight to a number of quality assurance processes. The committee
held 4 committee meetings, reviewed over 200 client satisfaction surveys, provided a
community consultation survey to 91 community professionals and received a 33%
response rate. Through the consultation the feedback received affirmed that the
community experiences HPC staff to be “excellent”, responsive to client needs and
providers of quality services. That said, several important themes emerged that identify
some areas for improvement:
REDUCED WAITING LISTS & WAITING PERIOD - Despite actions to manage the demand for
our services, we know that some clients still wait too long for service. Our planned changes
to service delivery should really help. Our “Timely Access Team” aims to make it easier for
clients to connect to the Centre and receive some initial clinical assistance at the point of
call and more service time for “Counselling & Therapy” will increase the number of
children we can serve.
IMPROVED ACCESSIBILITY - It is important that you know that we provide assistance to
help clients access our services. If you know of a client that needs this help, we welcome
you to let us know.
MORE COMMUNICATION - We value working in collaboration with any and all
professionals who are working with the family. We do continue to value self-referral but
with consent we welcome
you to call us to help develop a plan to respond to the unique needs
of each child, youth and family who needs our help.
MORE SERVICES - In the absence of additional funding, we work to
create partnerships that help us to optimize what resources we have
available. A big thank you to our community partners who collaborate
to help make a difference in the lives of the children and youth who
struggle with mental health issues.
Caitlin Robb, our founding youth advocate facilitated the community planning processes to
develop our two child & youth mental health plans submitted to the Ministry of Children
and Youth Services in March 2015.
The “Newmens”, our local chapter of the provincial New Mentality group, have offered
leadership in their school, have presented on mental health to several elementary schools
and held a very successful scrap metal and e-waste collection in partnership with Suttis
Metals to help raise funds to support their work to reduce stigma. We are grateful for the
co-leadership provided by Zjibien Blanchard and Skyler Holmes.
In 2015-2016 we plan to continue to foster our youth engagement efforts and hope to
develop some form of family engagement to help inform service improvements.
2014-2015 Board of Directors
The Huron-Perth Centre is governed by a Board of Directors comprised of up to 12
individuals who bring diverse perspectives, with equal representation from both Huron
and Perth counties. The term of office is 3 years and includes involvement on one
committee in addition to the 10 regular meetings held in various locations including
Clinton, Dublin and Stratford. Interested individuals can request more information by
contacting Terri Sparling, CEO at 519-273-3373 X 2230
Betty Beer-Vanrooy
HURON President & Chair of CEO Evaluation Committee
Ron Shaw
PERTH & Vice President
Peter Ivatts
HURON Secretary until November 2014
Susan Qureshi
PERTH Secretary as of January 2015
Sheree Fleischauer
PERTH & Chair of Long Range Planning
Alex Vanderkam
HURON & Chair of Audit & Risk & Governance
Kathy Douglas
HURON
Dr. Ram Gobburo
PERTH
Gary O’Donnell
HURON
Shelley Blackmore
HURON
Allan Watts
PERTH
OUR BELIEF – We believe that positive relationships are the foundation for healing and for
realizing the potential in all persons.
Standing Committees of the Board - Highlights
AUDIT & RISK COMMITTEE - Alex Vanderkam, Peter Ivatts and Ron Shaw with Terri Sparling and Linda
Nicholson
The Audit Committee oversees all aspects of the Centre’s risk management practices and has
provided oversight to several areas of potential risk. The committee reviews financial reports in
advance of board meetings and offers advice to management.
GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE - Alex Vanderkam, Peter Ivatts, Ron Shaw and Susan Qureshi with Terri
Sparling
The Governance Committee celebrated the completion of the “Policy Project,” a significant effort to
overhaul our system of policies and procedures and owes special thanks to Peter Ivatts for his
guidance. The work helped to ready the Centre for re-accreditation.
LONG RANGE PLANNING - Sheree Fleischauer (Chair), Kathy Douglas, Ram Gobburo, Shelley
Blackmore and community member Caitlin Robb with staff Darlene Pullen, Joan Tabbert, Laurie
Thomson, Sarah Wigan, Cheryl Priestap, Loretta Turner, Michelle Evans and Terri Sparling
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Updated our Strategic Plan 2014-2017, copies available upon request.
Advocacy through Children’s Mental Health Week – new partnership with our Mental Health
Leads from both school boards to promote CMH Week throughout all schools; sponsored by
the ETFO - Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario (AMDSB)
Supported the efforts of our “NewMens” to promote mental health awareness, reduce
stigma, take action for supportive schools and raise funds to attend the Disable the Label
conference in July 2015.
SALARY & BENEFITS – Gary O’Donnell (Chair), Betty Beer-Vanrooy with staff: Patty Hills, Brenda
Dumond, Jill Carter, Mark Allen, JayJ McKinley and Cheryl Priestap and as resource: Terri Sparling and
Linda Nicholson
The S & B Committee monitors progress on resolution of issues of concern to staff and oversees
compensation decisions. Staff representatives did a fabulous job of collating staff feedback and
provided the Board with a clear sense of what is important to staff.
CEO EVALUATION - Betty Beer-Vanrooy (President and Chair), Sheree Fleischauer (Long Range
Planning), Alex Vanderkam (Audit & Risk & Governance) and Gary O’Donnell (Salary & Benefits)
The committee continues to utilize a process of evaluation that has been mutually designed between
Board and CEO for the purpose of establishing meaningful goals and monitoring progress and guide
decisions on the use of new lead agency resources to build agency capacity.
2014-2015 HPC Staff
Our child & youth mental health team:
A number of Counsellors and Child & Youth Workers work together to provide our child and
youth mental health core-services as defined by the provincial service framework:
Mark Allen, Heather Becker, Hayley Black, Shirley Brooker, Stefanie Bultje, Shannon Carroll,
Jill Carter, Chris Coombs, Brenda Dumond, Joanne Feltz*, Martha Hazell, Patty Hills, Jenny
Kelp, Anne Catherine Jean, Kulpreet Luckhardt, Amanda MacDonald, Cathy Marlowe, Mary
McInnes, Anne Orr, Darlene Pullen, Sandy Stuart, Joan Tabbert, Laurie Thomson, Michelle
Van Loon
Consulting Psychologist: Dr. Milton Blake
External Consultations: Dr. Rosaline Salo, Dr. Kristen Blaine and Tele-Mental Health (formerly
Tele-psychiatry)
Other service staff increase our capacity to serve vulnerable children and youth:
Coordinated Clinical Services for Children in Care - Stefanie Bultje, Denise Nevin, Sheila
O’Donovan, Darlene Pullen
School-Based Outreach Services - Diane Maize & Sarah Wigan
Youth Justice – Diversion - JayJ McKinley
Youth Justice Committee Perth - Scott Fisher & a team of dedicated volunteers
Dedicated Services to Probation Team - Jill Carter, Mark Allen, Julie Webster-Waldie
Youth Engagement - Sarah Wigan, adult ally with “NewMens” our New Mentality Chapter
Our adult services staff:
Renascence - Sheri MacLaren & Cathy Marlowe
Group Delta – Sheri MacLaren, Darlene Pullen and Scott Fisher and Chad Wise “on loan” from
Ministry of Correctional Services
Male Survivors – Sheri MacLaren
Administrative Support Team: Linda Byles*, Fran McGregor, Cheryl Priestap (IT Admin
Support), Lorraine Moffat, Jaclyn Mustard (Business Unit Admin Support), Rosemary
Nicholson, Loretta Turner and the following part-time/evening staff: Sarah Anderson, Heidi
Jackson-Lantz, Cyndi Stephenson, Olivia Pullen and Meryl Thomas
Management Team: Terri Sparling (CEO) with Linda Nicholson (Business Manager), Jennifer
Azzano (Perth Clinical Services Manager), Cathy Graham (Huron Clinical Services Manager)
and Val Millson (Clinical Services Manager for Partnerships and Protocols) with support from
Michelle Evans and the following individuals who augmented the management team: Sandy
Stuart, Louise Tamblyn, Jim Boniferro, Anne-Catherine Jean (OH&S Manager) and Amanda
MacDonald (Quality Assurance Manager).
*denotes staff who are no longer with the Centre
SPECIAL THANKS TO STAFF WHO OFFER LEADERSHIP
TO A NUMBER OF INTERNAL COMMITTEES
Quality Assurance – leadership to a number of continuous improvement processes. The
committee is currently redefining how it defines quality and will help guide efforts to use
data to inform practice. Amanda MacDonald (QAC Chair) with Jennifer Azzano, Shirley
Brooker, Cheryl Priestap, Jill Carter, Mary McInnes, Val Millson and Terri Sparling. A copy of
the Quality Assurance Report for 2014 is available upon request.
Accreditation – The Accreditation Team provided strong leadership to all levels of the
organization in preparation for the self-study and site visit. Thanks to our co-chairs Michelle
Van Loon and Mary McInnes and the following staff: Heather Becker, Michelle Evans, AC
Jean, Amanda MacDonald, Linda Nicholson, Rosemary Nicholson, Sandy Stuart, Terri Sparling
and Julie Webster- Waldie
Occupational Health & Safety – this team transcends the usual activities of attending to a
safe workplace; in addition to annual training on various aspects of safety this group is
influencing agency decisions that acknowledge the impact of vicarious trauma and support
wellness and well-being for staff. Thanks to Cathy Graham/Anne-Catherine Jean (OH & S
Manager), Linda Byles*, Heather Becker, Loretta Turner, Scott Fisher and Jenny Kelp for their
insight and leadership.
Professional Development Task Force – this staff initiated group seeks ways to optimize
professional learning and growth. Members are keen to identify creative ways to share
expertise and integrate learning into practice. Thanks to Val Millson, Shannon Carroll, Shirley
Brooker, Darlene Pullen, Sheri MacLaren, Amanda MacDonald, JayJ McKinley, Julie WebsterWaldie and Jaclyn Mustard.
ANNUAL REPORT 2014-2015
From Terri Sparling, CEO
The ripples of provincial change known as “Moving on Mental Health” have permeated every
discussion and decision at Huron-Perth Centre. Internally the management team has worked to
position its resources (people and funding) to create a stronger service response focuses around 4 of
the defined core services that are to be available in every community. And externally our local
planning efforts that have cultivated strong, lasting partnerships and collaborative responses during
past tough times have become the backbone of our Community Mental Health plan. The process to
inventory what services we have and to identify actions to clarify access, increase communication and
collaboration has helped to celebrate what we have done collectively to respond to the mental health
needs of children and youth. It is also a call to action as we are in the very early days of creating a
comprehensive and sustainable system of care for our children, youth and families, and the need for
service far exceeds our collective resources.
Concurrent to this work of system transformation has been a focus on meeting a range of standards
defined by the Canadian Centre for Accreditation. Our commitment to effective, quality service is
witnessed in the time and energy spent readying for our site visit held in April 2015.
None of this would be possible without our unique, dedicated and gifted Board of Directors, staff and
volunteers. While change is hard, we have a team of people that embrace innovation and excel in
collaborative efforts that value each of the parts that make up the whole. I continue to be humbled
by the great people who are the essence of the Huron-Perth Centre.
~ Terri Sparling, CEO