Direct Dialogue and Coordinators’ Circle:
We began the year with a series of forums between the CEO and our Direct Support Specialists entitled "Direct Dialogue".  We then held discussion sessions with our frontline supervisors, Support Coordinators, entitled "Coordinator's Circle".  Both our Residential homes and Employment and Day Program sites were represented in the meetings.  Julia Hurst, Quality Coordinator, assisted in setting up the meetings, taking minutes and having refreshments so that the staff would feel comfortable in a small discussion group.  We wanted to be in touch with what their thoughts and ideas were to make WCI a better agency to serve our Individuals and support our staff.  We held meetings about every six weeks between July, 06 and April, 07.  A report found that our staff felt appreciated that I was taking time to listen to them, that they had a voice and that some of their ideas would be acted upon immediately, while others may take longer and others may not be able to be addressed.  It also was a place for them to get information about what is going on in the agency or is being offered that they were not aware of.  We are going to continue this process and format in FY’08 beginning in November and are going to hold these forums on a regular basis.

Public Relations:
In FY’07 WCI hired a new Part-Time Public Relations staff, Ellen Pulda.  We developed a Communications Advisory Board (CAB) to develop a WCI Newsletter, “WCI News and Views”.  Two issues have been published and we are now working on our third edition.  The newsletter highlights our Individuals successes and spotlights our employees.  We have gotten rave reviews on our new Newsletter.

Individual Residential Supports:
With the assistance of the Charles River West Area Office, Department of Mental Retardation, a unique housing configuration and model of supports has been made available at Garden Crest Apartments in Waltham to three couples that we support and one man, who has a non-disabled Live-In housemate.  This group had once lived in their own apartments and condominium scattered throughout the Waltham area.  They had minimal staff supports, typically under 15 hours a week.  First, Bruce Roberts and Grace Durkee, moved into a first floor garden apartment with a one step walk out patio with easy access out of their apartment.  As they aged, their mobility lessened and the need for accessible housing became necessary.  With first floor garden apartments, they no longer needed to use stairs and their apartment become more accessible.

Collaborative Art Initiative:
In FY’07 WCI began a Collaborative Art Initiative created by Neil Wyatt, Director of our Social Skills Supported Employment and Community Based Day Supports Program.  It was developed out of the idea that not all of our participants can work full-time and they needed an alternative opportunity that was productive and creative at the same time.  Our Individuals now create Colorful Paintings and Note Cards that are displayed in local businesses (e.g., Watertown Savings Bank, Lizzy’s Ice Cream, Starbucks and others) and sold to the public.  Neil has truly expanded this idea into a full blown business that has hit the ground running.  We commend Neil and his staff for their dedication and efforts to grow this idea into a well-developed program.  In 2007, Neil has won the Massachusetts ADDP Direct Support Professional Award and the ANCOR Direct Support Recognition Award for Massachusetts.  ANCOR is a national organization for providers who support people with disabilities.

Day Habilitation Program:
As we ended the fiscal year and began a new one, a great deal of work went into the application for a Day Habilitation Program.  WCI is planning to develop a Day Habilitation/Life Skills Program at its 45 Rumford Avenue location.  There are 16 Individuals who are receiving services their now and will continue with their current program; however, WCI will add various consulting and therapeutic services to its existing program.  Currently, participants have a variety of part-time work opportunities, non-work opportunities, such as Recycling, Art for Income (a variety of crafts that are on display and sold in local businesses), Music Therapy, volunteer work and skill building in a variety of areas.  With this new program and funding stream, WCI will be able to add Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Speech Pathology and Behavioral Consultation.  This program has the opportunity to expand and serve a great many more Individuals.  We look forward to the implementation of this new program in FY’08.

WCI Board of Directors:
We want to thank our Board of Directors who have dedicated their time and efforts to the governance of WCI.  We want to especially thank Keith Ohmart for his twenty-five years of service in his many roles on the Board of Directors, such as Chair, Vice Chair and Clerk.  He will truly be missed not only by myself, but by everyone at WCI.  We wish Keith the best of luck in his future endeavors.

At the same time, WCI has welcomed a brand new group of Board of Directors this year, Audrey Savikas, Bret Francis, Gabriel Aufiero, Daniel Messina, Joseph Connors and Karen Osborne Shanley.  We want to thank the Waltham Rotary for their support and generosity in bringing us three new Directors this year, Gabriel, Dan and Joseph.  WCI welcomes all of you!

Please view our Annual Report 2008 to attain in-depth information regarding our services and support.