LEAD Foundation
Strategic Plan 2010

Introduction:
In November 2008, the board of directors of LEAD Foundation committed to a strategic planning process to establish a framework for governance and operational direction.  In the Board’s 2008 retreat we began with taking stock of current programming and ensuring that what we do is connected with our vision and mission and consistent with organizational values.  In accordance with these organizational values stakeholders were brought into the process.  Through survey and a stakeholder’s meeting, parents and staff were invited to provide input on their sense of LEAD’s strengths and their visions for LEAD’s future.   The input from staff and parents was invaluable and affirmed that the Board and stakeholders have very similar impressions about the current successes and future direction for LEAD.   All of this information was compiled, and analyzed by the Board to establish a direction for LEAD for the next three years.

Mission:
Our mission was established in 2004 as:
LEAD Foundation enriches the lives of children and families dealing with developmental challenges through play-based programs. We are committed to helping children show the world what they can do.

Philosophy
We believe in creating partnerships with the families and children that we work with based on mutual respect, trust, and support.  We honour each child’s and family’s uniqueness and together, we aim to help them build their confidence and reach their potential.  We value the importance of belonging and strive to assist our families and children in developing a sense of community.  We believe that growth and success is based largely on the wellness of our staff, and the children and families that we work with, as well as on perseverance and open and honest communication.  

We are an agency of professionals dedicated to empowering families of children with disabilities through early intervention, multidisciplinary evidence-based practice, continued learning, and goal-focused programming that results in measurable gains.

Vision (2004)
LEAD Foundation is a family focused organization that is innovative in its approach to providing individualized child-centered programs.  Through research and professional development, LEAD’s well- trained staff continues to provide leading edge programs that help each individual in achieving their abilities. 

Our values were established at  2004 visioning meeting, and refined in 2008.  They are as follows:
Respect:  Mutual respect for families and team members.  All staff respect the child’s strengths, needs, potential, and motivations.  Staff are respected for their values and expertise.
Leadership:  We think beyond the status quo
Accountability:  We provide programs and services that are of the highest possible quality in a timely, efficient and cost effective manner.
Empowerment:  Staff’s primary role is to help parents become confident in their skills, decision making, problem solving and resourcefulness.
Wellness:  We believe that growth and success is based largely on the wellness of our staff, and the children and families that we work with
Innovative:  We are innovative and responsive to changing needs and goals.  We are highly motivated to provide the best services.
Integrity:  We are forthright, direct and honest with our community and ourselves
Understanding:  We are sensitive to and respect the feelings, opinions, and needs of our staff and our community.
Trust:  We trust each other and ourselves.
Child-centered:  All children have a right to learn in a way best suited to their individual learning styles, ability and situation.
Compassion:  people are our most valued asset.  We must be responsive, supportive and provide opportunities for them to learn and grow.
Community: People and relationships help build the LEAD community.

Our core values are at the heart of our commitment as an agency.  They encompass our dedication to our staff and the children and families that we work with.

History: 
In April 2002 LEAD (Learning and Enrichment for Autism Disorders) Foundation was founded.  We were established as a non- profit company to provide Intensive Behaviour Intervention through Resources for Children with Disabilities.  We were provided with a government contract for providing services to children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).  In 2004, the Family Support for Children with Disabilities Act was ratified in Alberta.  We continue to provide contracted services to approximately 24 children with ASD and their families. 

Lead Foundation also manages fee for service funding for children funded through Family Support for Children with Disabilities.   We provide both individual and group programs funded through Specialized Services and Aide Supports.  During this time in our development LEAD also began to provide summer camps, social skills programs and fee for service support.

In September 2002 LEAD expanded to include support for preschool children with developmental disorders through Program Unit Funding (PUF) funded by Alberta Education.   We started with 5 PUF children and as of 2009, we provide programs for 25 children who are eligible for PUF funding and 5 children who are eligible for mild to moderate funding. 

In 2005, we chose to use LEAD Foundation as the more general term for our agency and only use the longer title for legal information.  In August, 2007, seeking more space, we moved to our current premises in the south east.

In 2009, LEAD was chosen to provide a parent education program.  This program called Horizons is a joint project funded by FSCD.  This was a collaborative partnership with Alberta Health Services, FSCD and service providers.  This program’s mandate was to provide support families of children with severe disabilities while awaiting services.

Currently, our program provides services to approximately 60 families.  We provide a range of services including home programs, group programs, and therapy services.  We have approximately 60 staff who work directly to support our families.

Taking Stock
In the initial strategic planning retreat the Board did an analysis of the strengths, weaknesses opportunities and potential threats to the success of the organization.  Overall it was found that LEAD has a good track record as an employer and a service provider.  Feed back from stakeholders confirmed LEAD’s success in providing quality, individualized programs in a way that is consistent with our core values and mission. 

As LEAD Foundation moves into its 8th year of operation, it is a time of reassessment.  Our board of directors recognizes the direction and role the Foundation has had over the previous years and wishes to define the Foundation’s purpose over the next five years.  This strategic plan focuses on a direction for LEAD Foundation that will assure the viability and longevity of the organization, while continuing to provide the quality of programming and service already developed over the past 8 years. 

LEAD Foundation’s operations can be conceptualized in three main levels:

Primary Focus - Core programs:

These include our two primary programs: Specialized Services and Program Unit Funding. These programs are provided in partnership with our major funding partners FSCD and Alberta Education.  Contracts for these programs allow LEAD to support 45- 50 children and families.
                   
Secondary Focus - Short Term Community Programs: 

These include Fee for Service Funding, Summer Camps, Friend Quest, Social skills, Mild Moderate.  These programs help provide our families with support for the transition into the community.  They are open to a broader range of clients, including children with mild or moderate needs who may not qualify for government funded services.  They are short term in nature (i.e. having a defined number of weeks), and can be flexible to respond to community needs. 

Tertiary Focus - Education, Research and Outreach Projects:
 
This focus is more on projects than programs.  They include Community  Consultations; Projects such as Horizons; Partnership projects with other service providers; Information Pamphlets; Videos; Websites (e.g. Promoting Positive Behavior with MRU.

Direction and Results:

The direction that the Board of Directors has set for the next 3 years is based on our understanding of the mission, values, strengths and threats within the current environment.  This direction pays attention to activities that will develop the organization and support its growth.  Our priorities and direction over the next three years are fundraising, program growth, and marketing.

 Our fundraising focus will be on increasing the stability and longevity of the organization with a stable secure base of funds (e.g. rainy day funds) and specific fundraising projects for particular programs or projects.

 The focus on growth could be in the number of families supported and/or the number of programs offered.  The Board, in accordance with feedback from stakeholders, recognizes the value of maintaining a smaller size in the core programs.  Thus it was determined that it is best to focus on moderate growth in the short term programs, and to be cognisant of project opportunities should they arise.

 In terms of marketing the Board feels that a plan to increase public awareness of LEAD and increase the awareness of potential referral sources is prudent at this time.  Such a plan would not only support the new directions in growth and fundraising, but seems vital to the success of these endeavours.  

Strategic Direction:

LEAD Foundation will continue to:

1. Provide exemplary services for children and their families dealing with developmental disabilities while specializing in Autism Spectrum Disorders ;
2. Work with families to build programs for children based on family priorities;
3. Support staff in professional needs and overall wellness;
4. Provide collaborative supports to the community;
5. Build financial resources to assure longevity of the Foundation.

LEAD will continue to empowering families in their learning of how to help their child reach their full potential. 
Exemplary staff and wellness are priorities for the board.  LEAD Foundation will maintain positive and innovative supports for staff within a wellness framework.
In addition to continuing to with the above activities, LEAD Foundation will undertake new activities in order to expand our circle of service provision, and to ensure stability and longevity of the organization.  Over the next three years LEAD Foundation will:

1. Take on a leadership role in identifying and meeting the needs of children with disabilities and their families. This involves assessing the needs for service in the community by creating new or expanding existing short term community programs in response to these needs.
2. Seek collaboration with other agencies, organizations and education providers to respond to current needs in the community.
3. Build its discretionary funds to assure longevity of the program and quality programs to all families and the community.
4. Prioritize projects in need of funding and develop a targeted fundraising plan.
5. Establish a marketing plan to support the organization’s activities.

Remain open to opportunities for research and development for programs and staff.

Conclusion:
We are very excited about the opportunities ahead for LEAD Foundation.  As we finish our 8th year, we want to celebrate the hard work and innovative leadership in this organization.  Looking ahead, we want to provide the inspiration and support for smart growth.  The trick for growth in any organization is to ensure that it is not at the expense of the excellence already developed.  The Board sees this next phase of development for LEAD as one of expanding our circle so that we can share our expertise and respond to more families in need of our services, all the while being cognizant of the organization’s stability and viability for the long term.
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