2011 - 2013 Strategic Organizational Goals

Every organization benefits from good planning. In 2010, Countryside Association completed our strategic plan for the period 2011-2013. Part of the process included soliciting input from our various stakeholders via an on-line poll, discussion at various stakeholder meetings including families, clients and employees to determine priorities and planning meetings with management and board members. Accomplishments and project goals for each year are distributed to all stake holders and listed on the Countryside website. Listed below are the accomplishments achieved in 2011 followed by the organizational goals for 2012.

2011 Accomplishments

This year Countryside Association made the following accomplishments in response to the identified needs of people with disabilities and their families.  We thank all our employees, volunteers, and donors for these wonderful achievements.

Developing A Facility Plan Is Essential To Expanding and Renovating our Properties

• Our Building Opportunities fundraising campaign secured more than 66% of the funds necessary to complete phase one of the renovation and expansion of the Countryside Work and Training Center.


• A general contractor has been hired and building is scheduled to begin August 2011.

Expanding our donor base is crucial to stabilizing the services offered by Countryside

• Overall contributions to Countryside across all donor groups increased by more than 33% compared to the previous two donor years.


• More than 2250 gift transactions occurred in 2011 resulting in an increase in the number of private individual donations by more than 54% compared to last year.


• More than 275 gift transactions from corporations, foundations and organizations were made in 2011—an increase in donations of more than 55% compared to last year.
• 823 new donors contributed to Countryside during fiscal year 2011.

People with Disabilities Want to Work and Participate In Their Communities

• This year Countryside's Production Services generated more than $552,000 in subcontract revenue from both Work and Training Centers providing significant paid work opportunities for more than 319 adults with disabilities.


• Our Community Employment efforts were impacted by the economy however our employment outcomes were some of the highest ever recorded.  36 individuals were assisted in finding and retaining employment in 2011 earning between $8.50 and $9.50 per hour.


• Of 36 individuals who found jobs, 33 retained those jobs beyond 90 days with the support of Countryside community employment professionals.


• Work crews were formed to take advantage of the recycling opportunities in our community.


• Participant volunteer activities were significantly increased resulting in 1600 hours of volunteer services given to our community.  With the addition of two additional volunteer sites this year, 75 individuals who chose to help others had an opportunity to do so including a special volunteer opportunity for our older adults.


• Client recognition and community support were further expanded via Countryside’s Art in the Countryside and Lakeside’s annual Awards Banquet.  Each event further demonstrated the capabilities and accomplishments of people with disabilities.

People with Disabilities in Transition Receive Quality Specialized Services

• Support services for older adults with developmental disabilities (Golden Opportunities) offered at both our community centers received national accreditation in June 2011.


• Employment transition services for secondary students with disabilities (Bridging Transitions) offered at both community centers received national accreditation in June 2011.


• Countryside’s 2011 national accreditation survey resulted in no recommendations found by the survey team, which signifies that they did not identify any areas of nonconformance to more than 300 quality standards.  This extraordinary accomplishment is only attained by 3 percent of CARF surveys conducted nationally each year.


• As a result of outreach efforts by Lakeside’s Golden Opportunities program, services to older adults were expanded to five additional community members.  Additional staff was hired in response to this expansion.

Families Need and Deserve Critical Support Services

• Countryside Association's In-Home Respite program provided this important support service to a total of 168 enrolled families this year.


• An additional 11 new families received in-home respite services during 2011.


• In-Home Respite Services were extended to families residing in Hanover Township.

A Committed, Stable Work Force is Essential

• Our Direct Service Professionals turnover rates remained exceptionally low in 2011.


• Eight corporate volunteer groups provided direct assistance to Countryside during 2011 assisting with daily client support and facility maintenance

Transportation Services Are Critical to Accessing Services

• Countryside Association added a new, 14-passenger paratransit vehicle to the Lakeside Work and Training Center fleet thorough an award from the Illinois Department of Transportation. This additional vehicle increased access to Lakeside services for three additional participants as well as expanded access to community events and training for more than 160 Lakeside participants.

Leadership and Supervision is Essential to Provide Quality Services

• The Countryside Association Board of Directors received a three-year national accreditation from CARF for their governance policies, practices and accomplishments in June 2011.

Community Support Is Essential to Maintain Current Services and Plan Future Growth

• In 2011 Countryside’s Community Employment Services received one of only two, three-year federal grants designed to increase job opportunities for persons with disabilities in the Lake County area.


• Our annual Opportunity Walk fundraiser again significantly exceeded previous year’s results in number of participants and resources raised to support Countryside clients.
• The Countryside Orchard Circle debuted in 2011 to recognize those individuals and families who offer sustaining financial support each month.  A significant number of “parent pledges” were added to this special recognition category.


• The numbers of families engaged in our fundraising efforts continue to grow.


• Parkside Homecare Services, Inc. was created as a separate, for-profit subsidiary of Countryside Association.  Diversifying revenue while offering a new category of support services to children and individuals who require assistance is the main goal.

2012 Organization Goals

• Countryside Center’s renovation and expansion will be completed before the end of fiscal year 2012.


• Countryside Center’s waiting list will be significantly reduced as new program space becomes available.


• New support staff hires will be made as enrollments increase.


• A plan to improve the accessibility of Lakeside Center’s classrooms and washrooms will be developed in preparation for FY13 renovation.

Expand and Diversify Our Donor Base to Help Stabilize the Services Offered by Countryside

• Non-public funding sources will be successfully developed and expanded to continue a balanced budget in FY12.


• A Young Professionals Group will be developed to create additional funds and in-kind donations as well as become a potential source for future Countryside’s leaders.

Increase the Participation of People with Disabilities Who Desire to Work and Participate In Their Communities

• Additional collaborative relationships with area employers and support organizations will increase our capacity to assist individuals who desire community employment.


• Integrated community work and social opportunities will be expanded at both work and training centers for all developmental training participants and older adults.  

Increase Opportunities for People with Disabilities in Transition to Receive Quality Specialized Services

• Effective school to work transition tools will be developed to identify student work abilities and preferences and to match those abilities to community work, skill training or advanced education opportunities.

Families Need and Deserve Critical Support Services

• Additional In-Home Respite Supports will be successfully obtained to replace any public funding reductions in FY12.

• External state or federal surveys of publicly funded Countryside services will demonstrate continued consistent conformance to all state and federal regulations.

A Committed, Stable Work Force is Essential

• Sources for additional employee salary and benefit incentives will be identified to offer relief to our direct service employees.


• Employee turnover will be limited to 15% or less through the end of FY12.

Transportation Services Are Critical to Accessing Services

• At least one, lift-equipped vehicle will be added to the transportation fleet in response to the planned increase in Countryside Center enrollment.

Leadership is Essential to Provide Quality Services

• Every Association board member will participate in identifying and securing major donations in FY12.

Community Support Is Essential to Maintain Current Services and Plan Future Growth

• All Countryside fundraising events will exceed FY11 net results by at least 10%.


• Countryside’s active donor database will increase by at least 10%.
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• The total number of new donors will exceed the FY11 new donor total by 10%.<br>

Want to help with these projects or know someone who can?  Contact Wayne A. Kulick at (847) 540-3701 or Email: waynek@countrysideassn.org

Building Opportunities - Capital Project Status Report – August 2011

This $2.5 MM project is designed to both expand and renovate the Countryside Work and Training Center located in Palatine, IL.  Substantial improvements resulting from this project will make work opportunities available to an additional 50 adults with disabilities who reside in our surrounding communities.  In addition, the project will result in increased participant access to modern washroom facilities, more comfortable support areas for our older adults and those with severe disabilities, and an expanded lunchroom area for everyone.  Finally, a modern fire protection system for the entire building will be installed along with a connection of the property to the Lake County Sewer system to help protect lives and property.  To date we have raised almost 70% of the funds necessary to complete this critical project.  In August a general contractor for the project was identified and the Foundation approved the start of construction.  We anticipate completion within 180 days.