1243636 PL Annual Report_PL Annual Report 3/16/12 10:37 AM Page 2
Dear Friends:
Dear Friends:
As we look back on the past year, we are really looking ahead. Whatever has been accomplished sets the course for what’s next.
The Association Board has been busy on many different fronts this past fiscal year. Highlights of these items are as follows:
Despite economic uncertainties and declining public funding, Park Lawn remains a vital organization continuingly adding to its history of accomplishment, true to its mission, grounded in its founding principles, concerned about today, yet focused on tomorrow, always tomorrow.... Park Lawn continues to grow in both the number of individuals served and the scope of our programs. We now provide service to nearly 600 individuals and their families in 11 distinct program offerings, some of which are highlighted in this report. Our modestly priced private pay program allows recently graduated special education students awaiting scarce adult program public funding the opportunity for full inclusion in Park Lawn services rather than languish at home. We are also progressively addressing the challenges of the future through collaboration with sister organizations, actively sharing talent and resources for the betterment of each and the field of developmental disabilities in general. Park Lawn has been a leader in these initiatives. We proudly include our affiliation with Community Service Partners and Intersect for Ability in this report. Program quality will always be of prime focus as well. While the State of Illinois unfortunately no longer requires ‘outside’ credentialing, Park Lawn continues to operate its programs in accordance with the high professional standards established by the Commission on Accreditation for Rehabilitation Facilities, CARF. We will again look forward to another rigorous 3 year CARF accreditation survey in 2012. We will be even better because of it. Adequate funding to maintain and grow necessary programs and services will always be of concern. While our financial profile remains solid, generating additional private dollars and resources is critical to future success. As we continually ‘retool’ our outreach and fundraising efforts, we are humbled by the support so generously given by so many, every day.... Yes, looking back helps us to look ahead. Advocates like you have been with us throughout our history and have helped shape it. We know that you believe in our ongoing mission. Your compassion and support allows us to proceed with confidence. We are ever so grateful...
James R. Weise Executive Director
Protecting Park Lawn operations in the Ligas class action lawsuit – There was a class action lawsuit on behalf of individuals with developmental disabilities against the state of Illinois in order to access community residential services. While we all want to provide the least restrictive and most accommodating residential setting, the original wording would have had a deleterious effect on funding for our ICFDD facilities. These facilities include Park Lawn Center and Park Lawn Homes. These facilities provide more intense services for the more vulnerable clients we serve. The board and staff partnered with several agencies across the state to make sure the final resolution would not hurt Park Lawn and our funding. Advocating for tax changes for 529 plans – A 529 plan is a special section in the tax code that allows savings accounts to be set up for people for future college spending. Individuals with developmental disabilities are generally not in these plans because they rarely go to college. However, the need to save for future needs is just as or even more important for these individuals and their families. Therefore, we have been advocating to Congress on a state and federal level in order to make changes in the tax code to benefit our individuals and our families. Vocational services center property disposition – Our workshop at 5040 W. 111th Street is located within a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district where the Village of Oak Lawn wants to use land in the area for economic development. We are working closely with our partners in the village to ensure that what eventually happens will be in the best long term interest of Park Lawn and our participants. Collaborations with Saint Xavier University – Park Lawn as well as our collaborative partners at Community Service Partners have been able to access the expertise of the staff and students at SXU Graham School of Management. We are looking to expand our relationship with the university and be an asset for them to help them meet their strategic goals of providing meaningful work and service opportunities for their students. This is only a fraction of some of the outreach we have done as a board. Our strategy continues to be one of collaborations with like agencies, community partners, and governmental bodies. As you can see, we have been busy; but we will continue to be busy to do the best job we possibly can to make sure Park Lawn remains an important and viable institution for the people we serve.
Jonathan Perry Board President