Strategic Plan 2025-2029

The Arc Washington County

 

Introduction

The Arc Washington County’s hereinafter “The Arc,” Board of Directors and Executive Director in collaboration have created this Strategic Plan for future organizational development. The purpose of this formalized plan is to maximize the allocation and use of the resources of the organization to provide the best possible services for individuals. In creating this plan, the strengths and weaknesses of the organization as well as the available opportunities in the organization’s operating environment were taken into consideration.

Mission

To create partnerships that foster nurturing communities where people with disabilities can live their vision of a valued life.  The long-lasting effects of people being able to live their vision of a valued life are immeasurable.

Vision

Individuals with disabilities have the opportunity and needed supports to contribute the fullness of their being to the wealth of human community.

Background & History

Arc Washington County was formed in 1961 by a group of parents, teachers and citizen advocates. Believing in a need to formally provide services for individuals with intellectual disabilities in our community, the Arc initially offered several activities such as camps.  The purpose of the organization was to begin formalization of ways to provide services needed for individuals with intellectual disabilities in our community.  Over time the Arc began to provide formalized services.  There were spin-offs from the early days including service-oriented entities such as The Dawn of Hope and CORE.   

Today, The Arc has five primary service areas: Independent Support Coordination, Family Support, Early Intervention, Occupational Therapy and the Respite Center.  Additionally, The Arc also actively refers individuals to other service organizations when there is not a compatible service for them here at The Arc.   Thus, later in this Strategic Plan the reader will glean more information about the concerns that need to be taken into consideration as expansion possibilities are undertaken.

Core Operating Values

We believe every individual has God-given potential(s).  We pledge to encourage, value, and celebrate every individual’s uniqueness and effort as they engage in the pursuit of their potential throughout their lives.  After all, without encouragement, how much courage would there likely be?

Respect

We respect each person’s family heritage, customs, rituals, the right to choose personal life goals, where and with whom they live, where they work, and with whom they share their most intimate moments. We believe each person has a God-given right to belong as a valued member of his or her community, to engage in valued social roles, have friends, and participate in the life of the community. We will seek, discover, and value the gifts each person brings to the world.  

Diversity

We will listen, observe, and discover the spark of greatness that exists in the people we serve, our colleagues, and our partners. We will seek to encourage every person’s unique capacity and capability.  We shall view the differences between people as diversity and not as deficiencies. Our greatest natural resources are our hearts and minds, together with those of our partners.  

Allegiance

We believe in unconditional loyalty to the people we serve, and support their need to work, love, play and worship in fellowship with others. We believe in supporting others to seek and reach potential. We will comfort and aid family members in their roles of parent, sister and brother.  By collaborating with our partners and colleagues, we will further pursue our mission and vision and we will acknowledge and celebrate our accomplishments. We believe in the benefits of helping the people we serve, their loved ones and our partners.   

Excellence

Our ability to expand and grow, and to discover new possibilities in the services and support we provide to those in whose lives we share. We will encourage others to reach for their dreams and seek their potential. To strive for excellence but not perfection in our personal and collective journey is our belief.  Our destiny is to grow, learn and excel.   

Perspective

We believe in focusing our organizational resources toward the visions of the people we serve.  We have a well-grounded commitment to the belief that the people we serve have the right to control their own lives, and willingly make our energy, creativity, potential, skills and ourselves available to/for the people we serve.  

Direction and Results

The strategic direction that this plan presents is The Arc’s response to the current opportunities and challenges of allocating the organization’s human and financial resources in a manner that best achieves the vision and mission of the organization, as well as the current challenges.    

With the understanding of where the organization’s strengths and weaknesses lie, and where opportunities for growth and excellence lie, The Arc will pursue the following strategic goals.  To achieve the goals (see Goals 1 through 5, below), we will endeavor to accomplish each objective.  (Note, the listed objectives relate to one or more specific goal(s).  An objective is a step toward accomplishing one or more goal(s).   

Concerns that may arise:  

Funding from any source is not guaranteed to last forever, therefore we must diversify our services.  For example, in 2016, the 1915 (c ) waiver was closed, meaning that the Arc kept people it was supporting in ISC services, but no one else would be approved to receive said services in the future.  So, funding will continue to decline, thereby necessitating Arc to diversify and multiply our services.  For example, but without limitation, physical therapy, speech therapy, Applied Behavioral Analysis, additional Occupational Therapists may be suitable options to add to our current programs.       

Goals

The Arc will endeavor to bring in new services that will hopefully generate new sources of income for payment of services provided to/for as many as possible.  

Objectives relevant for goal 1 

  1. increasing the amount and types of therapy and other services are to be explored.

  2. Therapies to be explored include but are not limited to the following: expanding occupational therapy, the addition of speech therapy and physical therapy and Applied Behavior Analysis, and to include the space requirements for needed staff.

  3. The addition of mobile units will be explored to determine the economic and practical feasibility of using mobile units to provide services in areas where and as needed.   

The Arc will increase community awareness and knowledge of the Arc and of people with disabilities for the advancement of those individuals living in the community.   

 Objectives relevant for goal 2

The Arc will use community outlets to tell our story.  Imagine the blessing of a child being able to attend college by virtue of her/him being a program recipient. 

  1. Staff of the Arc, the Executive Director and Board of Directors members will attend events in the community such as job fairs, luncheons, meetings of civic organizations or other community events at least three times each year to increase Arc awareness.

  2. The Arc will continue to be a member of the Chamber of Commerce. The Executive Director, Staff members and Board members will attend Chamber events three times each year.   

The Arc will invest in its’ employees by providing training opportunities, performance bonuses, and an incentive program to celebrate small accomplishments.   

Objectives relevant for goal 3

  1. Research relevant training opportunities

  2. Staff morale will be improved by celebrating the first downs. By providing small motivational items such as gift cards.

  3. Bonuses to be budgeted as available such as at Christmas and for performance bonus.  

The Arc recognizes that opportunities for families to be involved and educated are valuable.    

Objectives relevant for goal 4

  1. The Arc will endeavor to locate and provide workshops that can be beneficial for families as needed.

  2. The Arc will host at least one event each year that highlights the abilities of individuals with disabilities living in our community.

The Arc will explore the feasibility of using mobile units to make services available locally and in rural communities versus buying a brick-and-mortar unit, especially as space limitations become more of a concern.  

Objectives relevant for goal 5

  1. Arc to research and obtain information from a separate non- profit or for-profit organization for successes and failures of the operation of a mobile unit.  Concerns?  Frustrations?  Information needed to assess whether it is needed.

  2. Research costs.  Donations or grants as financially available.  Are they needed?  Feasibility of leasing or buying a small brick and mortar versus buying or leasing a mobile unit?   Ok to bill Tenn Care?  Where to store?  Problems others have endured. CPA, travel expenses to visit and learn from others, etc.  

Explore small group meetings (3 staff employees per meeting) for an opportunity to obtain their input on what Arc is doing right and what Arc might consider that could be improved, etc.  

Objectives relevant for goal 6

  1. Other area to be explored, possible communication board on kitchen wall may be addressed.

  2. Employee surveys and a draft of a strategic plan may be included in small group meetings.