Evergreen Presbyterian Ministries, Inc.
Evergreen Foundation
Five-Year Strategic Plan
July 1, 2007 - June 30, 2011
Revised June 20, 2008

INTRODUCTION

Since May of 1988, Evergreen Presbyterian Ministries, Inc. has had an active Five-Year Strategic Plan.  Each year at its Spring meeting, the Evergreen Board has updated or adopted a new version of this Five-Year Plan.  The purpose of this document is to present a revised Five-Year Plan, which covers the period of July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2011.

The last twenty years have seen a planning process which has contributed to a truly impressive growth in the ministry.  This planning process has been dynamic and provided Evergreen with sufficient flexibility to respond to opportunities and challenges when they arose.  The growth of Evergreen has included dramatic increases in the number of individuals served, staff employed, budget, equity, and foundation assets.  We have expanded from a one-state to a six-state provider, with a proud history of excellence.

Since Evergreen underwent a major revision of the plan in 2006, the update for 2008 was more modest and involved more of an adjustment of current goals and objectives than major changes.

MISSION STATEMENT

As a critical part of the planning process, Evergreen has developed the following mission statement.

Evergreen's mission is helping people with disabilities
build better lives.

VISION STATEMENT

The following vision statement was developed to describe what Evergreen desires to achieve over the next five years.

Evergreen's vision is to provide the highest quality of individualized supports and services to each person while further expanding services to those in need.

VALUES

The following value or belief statements were approved.

1. Evergreen is committed to the inclusion of people with disabilities in their home communities.
   

   Evergreen is committed to helping people become a valued part of the community.  This means that people should have roles in life that enhance their status and reputation.  Evergreen believes in promoting an inclusive community rather than being a substitute for community.  Evergreen recognizes that no one is fully independent and therefore, fosters interdependence.

   Evergreen is committed to increasing the community’s awareness of the contributions and gifts of individuals with disabilities.  The public needs to know about the truly remarkable individuals served and their significant accomplishments.

   Evergreen is committed to providing services in the smallest appropriate setting.  This value reflects a commitment to helping people move out of institutional settings whenever possible.

2. Evergreen has a basic belief in, and is committed to advocate for, human and civil rights.
    
   Evergreen is committed to protect and advocate for dignity and rights.  This value confirms Evergreen’s commitment to each person’s unique value and the staff’s pledge to preserve, protect, and enhance the person’s dignity, rights, and individuality.  It also recognizes that an important part of exercising one’s rights is accepting responsibility for one’s self. 
    
3. Evergreen is committed to the highest possible quality of life.
    
   

   Evergreen is committed to helping people achieve the highest possible quality of life.  This value confirms our commitment to helping people gain the highest possible level of happiness, satisfaction, self-worth, and fulfillment. 

   Evergreen is committed to actively listening with compassion and sensitivity to individuals and their families.  This means that Evergreen will consistently demonstrate genuine concern for the feelings and needs of individuals and their families.

   Evergreen is committed to ensuring people and their families have a wide variety of experiences in order for them to make truly informed choices.  Evergreen acknowledges that in order to make choices one must know the available options.

4. Evergreen is committed to encouraging the spiritual growth and nurturance of all people.
    
   

   Evergreen is committed to Christian concern.  Evergreen is a Christian organization affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), and as such, is committed to exhibiting Christian ideals and principles. 

   Evergreen is committed to helping people express their individual spirituality.  This includes helping individuals participate in the spiritual life of their communities as well as being fully involved in the faith community of their choice.

   Evergreen is committed to helping the faith community reach out and include people with disabilities.

5. Evergreen is commitment to providing for people with disabilities by maintaining a stable, viable, ethical, and financially healthy organization.

   Evergreen is committed to providing excellent services and supports.  The term, excellence, reflects a dedication to strive for components of the highest quality which are periodically measured in an objective manner. 

   Evergreen is committed to providing a network of services and supports.  This implies developing carefully coordinated services and supports in order that resources can be shared and individuals can use the varying components as their needs dictate. 

   Evergreen is committed to providing an opportunity for constituents to participate both financially and with other support.  This statement reflects the ongoing relationship between Evergreen and its supporters and donors.  Evergreen, its Boards of Directors and Trustees, its staff, and volunteers will actively solicit gifts, grants, and bequests to further Evergreen’s work. 

   Evergreen is committed to staff competence and concern.  Evergreen’s most important resource is its staff.  They must perform at a high level of competence for individuals served to receive the maximum benefits from Evergreen’s supports and services.  In order to enhance competence, Evergreen will provide effective training, compensation, and supervision.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

Nine goals, each with specific objectives, are presented.  These goals are all to be accomplished by June 30, 2011.  The goals and objectives which will shape Evergreen’s future are:

Goal  I. By 2011, each person served will be receiving individualized high quality supports and services

Goal I focuses on improving quality throughout the organization as it expands.

• Objective I.1: By 2011, the “Evergreen Outcomes for People” (EOP) evaluations will be annually conducted with a random sample of consumers in all divisions, with a target of 80% outcomes present.
• Objective I.2: Annually, consumer, parent, and staff surveys, EOP interviews and external monitoring of programs will be used to evaluate, develop/revise a quality improvement plan for each division.
• Objective I.3: By 2010, develop and implement a training module which leads to a person centered culture that meets the requirements of all six states in which Evergreen operates.
• Objective I.4: By 2011, develop and implement a plan to enhance and diversify vocational and other meaningful day services to meet the needs of individuals served throughout life stages. 
• Objective I.5: By 2010, develop and implement a plan to enhance the health services of individuals served throughout their life stages.

Goal II. By 2011, Evergreen Presbyterian Ministries will increase the number of people served and supported.

• Objective II.1: By 2011, Evergreen Presbyterian Ministries will grow to serve approximately 1,300 people.


• Objective II.2: Annually, management will evaluate Evergreen's ability to meet service and support needs of individuals in proposed new programs.  This evaluation will include an exit strategy and its impact on persons served and Evergreen's relationship with state agencies.
• Objective II.3: At each Board meeting, Management will report on the programmatic status and feasibility of current and future expansion. 


• Objective II.4: At each Board meeting, Management will present the status and future plans for serving aging population.

Goal  III. By 2010, all individuals served will be supported and encouraged to pursue their individual faith preferences. 

• Objective III.1: By 2010, the Annual Spiritual Care Assessment will be updated/revised to include the spirtuality of persons served, and will be included in each person's program plan.
• Objective III.2: In order to foster each person's spirituality, each division will nurture relationships with existing religious organizations in their area, based on information derived from spiritual assessments.
• Objective III.3: By 2011, staff or volunteers in each service area will be identified and trained in methods to foster these relationships.
• Objective III.4: By 2009, criteria will be revised to determine eligibility for Shepherd Church designation; Churches that meet these criteria will continue to be recognized and celebrated.

Goal IV. During the next five years, Evergreen Presbyterian Ministries will strengthen its financial position to sustain current operations and allow future expansion.

• Objective IV.1: Key Financial Indicators will be maintained as follows:



a)	Cash - Unrestricted operating cash will be maintained to equal at least one month’s operating expenses.  Current lines of credit will be evaluated annually.
b)	Current Ratio - Operations will maintain a current ratio of at least 2.0 on an ongoing basis.  (The current ratio is calculated by dividing current assets by current liabilities.)
c)	Debt-to-Equity Ratio - The consolidated debt-to-equity ratio will not exceed 50%.  (The debt-to-equity ratio is calculated by dividing long-term debt by equity).
d)	Budget Surplus - The operational budget will show an annual financial surplus.



• Objective IV.2 : Evergreen will annually evaluate current business practices in the following areas to maximize cost efficiencies and implement prudent fiscal measures:



a)	Cash management.
b)	Debt-financing arrangements with banking institutions.
c)	Risk management policies and practices designed to minimize risk exposure by using all available resources.
d)	Internal control procedures and systems.
e)	Procurement procedures for goods and services.



• Objective IV.3: Evergreen will annually evaluate accounting, information and technology systems to enhance data submission and communication inside and outside the organization.  Equipment and software upgrades will be implemented when prudent and feasible.
  
• Objective IV.4: Evergreen’s Finance Department will conduct at a minimum, an annual training of home office and divisional staff to maintain a strong financial accounting system.


• Objective IV.5: The financial feasibility of potential new programs, including an exit strategy, will be prepared before implementation.  New programs will be brought to a break-even point within three years.  The Board will be involved in assessing new programs. 


• Objective IV.6: Overtime will be 3% or less of total hours worked by 2011.
• Objective IV.7: Evergreen will develop and evaluate annually a five-year plan of major capital project needs exceeding $100,000. The plan will prioritize capital needs and offer guidance on funding mechanisms.

Goal V. By 2011, Evergreen Foundation will raise sufficient funds to increase Foundation assets, to supplement existing EPMI services and to provide for new growth. 

• Objective V.1: The Foundation will coordinate the work of the Trustees, Board, staff, and volunteers to increase contributions to the Evergreen Foundation (annual fund) by at least 15% per annum.


• Objective V.2: Through cooperative efforts, the donor base (contributors) will be increased by 10% per year and the database by 15% each year for the development, growth, and expansion of Evergreen Presbyterian Ministries, Inc.


• Objective V.3: The Planned Giving Program which includes the Special Needs Trust will be updated and placed on the website. Updating the planned giving program will include developing a training resource for staff as well as an information tool for potential donors.
• Objective V.4: By 2011, Evergreen Foundation will net $7.5 million in assets.
• Objective V.5: By 2011, Evergreen Foundation will increase Client Needs Funds revenues by $47,000.00.

Goal VI. Evergreen Presbyterian Ministries will increase its visibility through effective public relations. 

• Objective VI.1: Through the efforts of the Foundations Director of Public Relations, Evergreen will establish a relationship and communication system in each state it operates.


• Objective VI.2: Evergreen will ensure ongoing communications to the public of successes, challenges and opportunities for support throughout our divisions and service areas by contacting division directors monthly. 


• Objective VI.3: Evergreen will update and individualize public relations and marketing media for each of the divisions or service areas where appropriate. 


• Objective VI.4: Through the use of the database and annual appeal letters, Evergreen will maintain contact and involvement of former EPMI Directors and Foundation Trustees. 


• Objective VI.5: Evergreen will maintain an active communications program with appropriate church bodies and congregations by assigning Foundation staff regional areas of focus.
• Objective VI.6: Evergreen's website will be continually revamped and updated and links will be established with religious, medical, advocacy and other appropriate entities.

Goal VII. Evergreen Presbyterian Ministries will maintain the most effective workforce in its field.

• Objective VII.1: Provide the best private sector employment package in its field in all areas served. 


• Objective VII.2: Staff turnover will be 25% or less by 2011.


• Objective VII.3: Formal ongoing supervisory and management training emphasizing Evergreen’s values will be provided annually. 


• Objective VII.4: Continue to assess, evaluate and implement as appropriate internal and external methods to enhance direct support staff training.


• Objective VII.5 : Continually evaluate the corporate structure in light of its mission and changing needs. 
• Objective VII.6: By 2011, the Management Team will have reviewed, considered and implemented as appropriate, all recommendations presented by the Employee Recruitment and Retention Task Force making Evergreen an Employer of Choice.
• Objective VII.7: These objectives will be measured by utilizing external monitoring, parent, staff, and consumer surveys, consumer outcomes, and other available metrics.

Goal VIII. Evergreen Presbyterian Ministries will continue to impact public policies by maintaining effective relations with public entities. 

• Objective VIII.1: Evergreen will maintain active membership and provide leadership to provider organizations in each of the states served.


• Objective VIII.2: Evergreen will participate in national provider, professional organizations and local civic organizations and provide leadership for these organizations.  This includes entities such as AAIDD and ANCOR.


• Objective VIII.3: Evergreen will actively lobby decision-makers at the state and federal level both through paid lobbyists and through the efforts of its constituents.  

SUMMARY

The goals and objectives listed above provide an exciting road map for Evergreen’s future. Table 5 gives a snapshot of Evergreen’s truly significant growth.  While the challenges are great, the future is truly exciting.