Review of Elm City Center

Board of Directors Effectiveness for  2007

Financial

Investments, Staff Retirement, and Organizational Financial base remains positive and better than most organizations our size. All facilities are paid for and the organization has no debt. Investment policy is reviewed every year and adjusted as needed. Cash investments would provide 1 year of operations with no other source on income. This is very important since state payments for services is moving to 150 days late. Current investments are averaging about 5%+ per year. Projections from the state banking committees anticipate lower returns for the next several years which will effect our future financial outcomes. We continue to review options for investment that will give a good return while keeping the principal as safe as possible.

Production

Overall work has seen a slow down which is consistent with the economy. Several past customers are no longer in operation. We continue to search, region wide for alternative work. We work closely with local corporations such as EMI, Pactiv, Rutland, Dickey-johns, Thermionics, ACH, National Starch, and others. The shredding business has shown consistent growth, even though we know it will never be a huge operation. Temporary workers are used as little as possible. People served by ECC are doing almost all of the machine based work.

Facility

Currently, the Board is looking at long term facility needs/cost of replacing an aging connector walkway. We are in the process of moving the Teaford basement lunchroom to the former TV studio to avoid the long run of stairs. The rapidly increasing cost of construction supplies (concrete, steel and copper) is requiring multiple changes in facility plans that are affordable. More older vehicles are being replaced while we gradually move more transportation operations to West Central Illinois Mass Transit. Various parts of the buildings are having more insulation installed. Wall light switches throughout the Walnut campus have been replaced with automatic motion detectors. Light ballasts are being replaced with more efficient systems as needed and lights are turned off in large areas when not in use. The net result is a slight lowering of power bills while rates increase

Program

CARF accreditation is being maintained. DHS/DDD may no longer require CARF, but DHS/DMH does. The annual unannounced, Developmental Training and Medicaid reviews were successful and very positive. ECC is regularly and positively reviewed by Public Health when they come to JDC. ECC is developing new programs to meet the aging DD and MI population we serve. Medicaid programs continue exceeding the contracted requirements while waiting for DHS/DMH to follow through with promises for increased payments. A new case management software package is being developed. 

Public Relations

Elm City remains actively involved in Morgan County activities including Special Olympics; Jacksonville Regional Economic Development Corporation; Relay For Life, Golf outings; articles in the local newspaper; Board and organizational memberships with Alvin Eades Center, Play For All Park, Chamber of Commerce Health and Humans Services Committee, Kiwanis Pancake and Sausage, Holiday Bell Ringing, Woodhaven Hospice Christmas Tree Festival, and many other groups. ECC was a major donator to and CEO is on the Board of Directors for Play for All Parks. The CEO regularly gives talks to community groups and radio programs. The ECC tent is regularly used by JHS Football, Duncan Manor Ice Cream Social, Chamber of Commerce Picnic, Underground Railroad Museum, Golf Outings, and other local events. Many ECC employees are involved in community based clubs/activities that help residents of the Jacksonville area in some way and often have little direct attachment to Elm City.

Board Activities

Board members remain active in Elm City committee operations. Meetings always have quorums, committee meetings are held as scheduled, and Board members take part in Elm City related events. Board openings are filled with qualified individuals from the Jacksonville area who provided leadership, use their expertise, and willingness to actively take part in the direction for Elm City services. The Board is very diversified with professionals (finance, law, engineering, health care, education, corporate, and private business), family, and members with disabilities. Controversial tasks are discussed openly with multiple points of view as a consensus develops. The Board does not micro-manage daily organizational operations, but does expect performance guidelines to be accomplished.

Special Highlights:

       Consumer based Relay for Life team raised and donated over $3,500. Cancer remains a significant focus of our charitable efforts as an organization based on the numbers of people associated with Elm City who have had some form of cancer.

       $15,000 donation to Play For All Parks.

       Sown blankets for Project Linus and diapers for Haiti.

       Christmas party with 80+ pizzas and Thanksgiving dinner for 200+ people

       Consumers raise and donate money to Educational Daycare and to buy gifts for local nursing homes

       Make Easter treats for local daycares

       Cutest pet contest raised significant money that was donated to various community groups.

       Collect toys for Toys for Tots and wrapped gifts

       ECC 4H club projects are shown at Morgan County Fair and at Illinois State Fair

       ECC developed an AKtion Club, sponsored by and in association with the Jacksonville Kiwanis Club.

       Market ECC at State Fair with Chamber of Commerce Jacksonville booth

Future:

       State of Illinois financials from Comptroller Hynes show state consistently spending more than it brings in. Severe cash shortages from payments of 150+ days are expected.

       Through the trade associations, we are consistently asking for funding adjustments consistent with the cost of living. Human services for people with disabilities is not a high priority for the current Administration. Of $450M, vetoed by Gov. Blagojevich 10% of the total came from human services. No other group funded by state contracts was this high.

       We need to develop a personnel plan to keep and attract qualified staff. Salary costs remain the single largest cost. Turn over is consistently below 15% which is very low for this business. Health Insurance remains a top issue with no real solution.

       Facility adjustments to meet a changing demographic needs and replacing worn equipment. The future existence and future size JDC is a significant issue since 40% of current people served live at JDC.

       State move to Medicaid based funding is relentless as DHS continues to prepare while Federal cuts in Medicaid continue to be discussed.

       Regional economic development looking at ways to bring more business to Morgan County. Options for greatly increased rail lines is realistic.