fy2016 annual report final - c.e.r.t.s., inc

Mission

To enrich the lives of adults with multiple, severe disabilities and, in

turn, their families through an active, personalized day program.

Collaborative Effort to Reinforce Transition Success, Inc.

C.E.R.T.S., INC.

A therapeutic day program for those with multiple, severe disabilities.

FY2016 Annual Report - July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2016

Board President Message

Amy Haughey, Transition Coordinator &

Teacher, Smyrna High School

Having been on the board since 2012, I was very

privileged to take over as Board President for

C.E.R.T.S., Inc. in Fiscal Year 2016. In this ca-

pacity, I have been able to have a first hand view of

the amazing growth of the Adult Action Centers, in

terms of the number of people served and staff as

we continue to meet our mission to enrich the lives

of adults with multiple, severe disabilities and, in

turn, their families through an active, personalized

day program.

Going forward, I envision the role of the Board

of Directors becoming even more significant, as

C.E.R.T.S., Inc. navigates the future with major

projected, yet not defined Medicaid changes loom-

ing. Facing the loss of some of our Board members

due to term limits, we are actively looking for new

members. This gives us the opportunity to escalate

the diversity of our Board and recruit members that

can offer new experiences, thoughts and ideas into

the current mix. It’s an exciting time!

Traditionally, parents have been a significant

part of our Board and while we want to allow for

this to continue, we would like to broaden our re-

cruitment efforts to include those who have other

affiliations with C.E.R.T.S., Inc., such as our gen-

erous donors or those who have attended our spe-

cial events - along with friends and family members

of our participants. Remember, there is no other

agency in the State of Delaware like C.E.R.T.S.,

Inc. The services we offer address a cr itical need

for a unique population. Please consider becoming

an active part of our future by joining our Board or

recommending someone you know to do so. We

would be honored to have you join us.

Executive Director’s Report

In FY2016, one big theme emerged – CHANGE! The largest areas of change was the national push for community

based vs. facility based delivery of day program services. The Home & Community Based Services (HCBS) mandate

– is a new Medicaid regulation regarding services for individuals with disabilities, requiring services to be offered in

the most integrated setting possible. The requirements for HCBS settings are the biggest change in the administration

of federal Medicaid waivers since their inception in the 1980s. What does this mean? Let’s look at the law. Title II

regulations of the Americans with Disabilities Act defines the “most integrated setting” as “a setting that enables

individuals with disabilities to interact with non-disabled persons to the fullest extent possible.” 28 CFR Pt.35, App. A.

On the surface, that sounds reasonable, but it appears that the way Delaware officials are interpreting the regulations,

they are using this mandate as a reason to abolish certain types of facility based settings that have been long been

available for Delawareans with disabilities (such as sheltered workshops). In addition, some are interpreting the

language to read that any facility based program is a segregated (not integrated setting) and therefore a violation of the

civil rights of the people who choose to attend. This is further complicated by the fact that within Delaware there is a

great divide about this issue within the disability community. This means that we are unable to come together as a

group and lobby the state government for our what we believe to be the best course of action in the situation. The two

sides are completely divided, one demanding full integration is absolutely required, the other demanding all current

options remain so families can continue to have many choices from which to choose.

Pressure is being put on facility based day services like C.E.R.T.S., Inc. to spend a significant amount of time in the

community with our participants. However, this may not be the choice of the participant, or even safe for him/her.

The reason our program was started was because other programs weren’t equipped to handle the medical or chronic

health needs of our participants. This remains the case. If someone is unable to control his/her body temperature,

going on an outing in the dead of winter or in a heat wave just isn’t appropriate, no matter what the mandate. And that

doesn’t begin to mention the many ways the community is

not ready for us (no adult sized changing stations, managing

tube feeding on an outing, etc.).

For that reason, advocacy efforts were stepped up this year.

In October 2015, we had Steve Groff, Delaware Director of

Medicaid tour the Newark site and meet with several parents

to discuss their fears and concerns regarding the HCBS

Waiver. We had Dr. Terry Macy of DDDS tour for the same

reason – to be able to show him the barriers to community

integration our participants face daily, and why they (and

their parents/guardians) chose C.E.R.T.S., Inc. - to meet

their unique and complex needs.

In February 2016, Cindy Jenkins (parent and former Board

member) and I testified before the Joint Finance Committee

regarding the Governor’s proposed budget and how it will

impact our participants and how the HCBS Waiver /Transition Plan will negatively affect them. The feedback I got

was that both testimonies were very effective.

In March 2016, public hearings on the HCBS Transition Plan were held. I was so proud that C.E.R.T.S., Inc. had six

parents speak in addition to me. It made an impression & our voices were heard! Just as FY2016 was drawing to a

close, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) awarded the State of Delaware initial approval of their

HCBS Transition Plan. In order to receive final approval, several edits, updates and another public hearing will be

required. As of this writing, final approval has not been received. I have received very little information about what

program changes will have to be made as a result of the transition plan in order to continue to receive Medicaid

funding (91% of our participant funding is via Medicaid).

Please look for further information on our website and Facebook page regarding public hearings before the final plan

goes to CMS. Attendance at the public hearings is very important.

C.E.R.T.S., Inc. Adult Action Centers FY 2016 Annual Report

Fiscal Year 2016—Statement of Financial Position


ASSETS

Cash & cash equivalents $ 264,404

Restricted cash 486

Accounts receivable 99,021

Prepaid expenses 20,452

Investments 645,784

Property & equipment

Net of accumulated depreciation 138,812

Security deposits 12,057

LIABILITIES & NET ASSETS

Accounts payable $ -

Accrued compensation 44,584

Refundable advances 77,530

Total liabilities 122,114

NET ASSETS

Unrestricted 1,058,416

Temporarily restricted 486

Total net assets 1,058,902

*The FY2016 Financial Statements were prepared by the firm of Wheeler, Wolfendon & Dwares, Certified Public Accountants.

For a copy of the entire audit, please contact the C.E.R.TS., Inc. main office.

Statement of Activities

REVENUE, GAINS AND OTHER SUPPORTS EXPENSES

Contributions $ 38,110 Program Services $1,031,292

Donated facilities/supplies 4,800 Management & General 264,958

Program revenue 1 ,275,377 Fundraising 45,355

Special events 10,932 Total Expenses 1,341,605

Loss on disposal of fixed assets -

Miscellaneous income 7,576 Change in Net Assets 10,824)

Investment (loss) income (6,014) Net Assets—Beginning of Year 1,069,726

Total revenue, gains/other supports $ 1,330,781 Net Assets—End of Year $ 1,058,902

4,800

38,110

(6,014)

7,576

10,932

9%

69%

-11%

14%

20%

-10000 -5000 0 5000 10000 15000 20000 25000 30000 35000 40000 45000

Donated (in-kind) supplies

Contributions

Investment (loss) income

Misc. income

Special events

C.E.R.T.S., Inc. FY2016 Non-Contract IncomeFunds received from sources other than DDDS Contract

Total $55,404 (4% of total income)


Fiscal Year 2016 Donors

Champion Circle - $5,000 & up

BHA Foundation

DFRC

Visionary Circle - $2,000 to $4,999

Delaware Division of the Arts

Lee & Dorothy Waninger

Honor Circle - $1,000 to $1,999

Agilent Technologies Foundation

The Christmas Shop Foundation

Michael & Deborah Guida

Kent County Levy Court

James Matlack

WSFS

Advocate - $500 to $999

Bassett, Dawson & Foy

Jim & Patty Clark

Frederick Dawson

Micki Edelsohn

Melanie Hoffmann & Ernie Kortvely

Bill & Rosemary Holland

Ray & Tricia Schoonmaker

Stephanie Stenvik

Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Newark

Benefactor - $100 to $499

AIG Employee Match

Avenue Medical

Heidi J. Baist

Carol Barnett

Barbara J. Bonk

Joseph & Joan Budd

Lisa L. Carnley

Karen Clark

Thomas & Jane Churchill

Michelle Clark Dudek

Thomas Duszak

James & Amy Doherty

John & Carol Flood

Janet Hall

Lois Hall

Amy Haughey

Donald & Patricia Hopkins

Karen Ingram

Janette Irizarry

Rayford & Cindy Jenkins

Teresa Knotts

Diane & Martin Linwood

Melanie & Dan Lohr

Paul Maloney

Mid-Del Charitable Foundation

Brian & Anita Miller

Henry & Mary Modelski

David & Heidi Powell

Resurrection Parish

Jesse Rodgers

Shirley A. Schwartz

Redners

Cindi Spink

Terrace Athletic Club

Ivan & Ruthann Turner

Jakes Wayback Burger Smyrna

John & Valerie Werner

Patron - $50 to $99

Robin Alexander

Business Consulting Services, Inc.

Bryan & Reenie Daggett

James & Anita Delaney

Grotto Pizza

Barbara Jezl

Veronica Okane

Linda Packard

PayUSA, Inc.

Joseph & Gerry Romans Sr.

Connie Shockley & Mark Lyman

Vivian Turner & Tom Voytek

Friend - up to $49

John & Teresa Bell

Joseph Camoirano

Pat Canterino

Rocco & Betty DiDonato Leonard Earl, Jr.

Paula Karol

Christine Klein

Marcella Lukowski

Elaine McCabe

Christine Shiner

Doug & Dina Stamm

David & Sheri Wolfe

Event Sponsors

$1000 Level

WSFS (Highmark Walk)

$500 Level

Bassett, Dawson & Foy (Highmark Walk)

TEK Electronics, LLC (Piggin’Out for C.E.R.T.S.)

$250 Level

Charles Staropoli (Piggin’Out for C.E.R.T.S.)

Proctor & Gamble (Piggin’Out for C.E.R.T.S.)


Fiscal Year 2016 In Kind Donors

Applebee’s Olive Garden

BJ’s Painted Stave Distillery

The Big Bang Band Panera Bread

Brio Philadelphia Eagles

Caffe Gelato Philadelphia Flyers

California Pizza Kitchen Philadelphia Phillies

Candlelight Theatre Pizza by Elizabeth

Jan Capano Pizzadilli Winery

Chapel Street Players reNu Chiropractic

Gregory Clark Rommel Harley Davidson

Delaware Children’s Theatre Salon Rispoli

Delmarva Power Jesse L. Rogers

Delaware Theatre Company Linda Sagett

Betty DiDonato Michelle Shorter

Nick Fina Cindi Spink

Floral Designs by Jessi Starbucks

Golf Galaxy Dr. Charles Staropoli

Golfsmith 10,000 Villages

The Grand Opera House Total Wine & More

The Guida Family Linda P. Turner

Alisha Hudson, Elements Beauty Supply & Salon Vivian Turner

J.B. Dawson Tom Voytek

Cindy Jenkins The Waninger Family

The Jenkins Family Wawa Heather Lacy Debbie Wells


C.E.R.T.S., Inc. Employees as of 6/30/2016

Administrative Staff

Vivian J. Turner, MPA – Executive Director

Terry Cipolla – Assistant Executive Director

William Sowers, RN – Director of Medical Services & Quality Assurance

Michelle Shorter – Operations & Human Resource Manager

Melissa MacCord, MHS – Program Manager, Newark

Ravin Dean, LPN – Program Specialist, Smyrna

Program Associates

Newark Smyrna

Sharuanda Robinson Kathryn Bishop

Michelle deBrabander La-Shayla Burton

Corey Green-Hall Desiree Wilson

Arceline Jean-Francois

Paula Karol

Christine McCray Other Staff

Janes Patterson Joy Hancharick, Cleaning

Lori Richardson James Yancey, Bus Driver

Nailah Smith

Courtney Thomas

Phone: 302-731-0301

Fax: 302-731-0201

E-Mail:

[email protected]

WEBSITE:

www.certsinc.org

We’re on

Facebook, too!

C.E.R.T.S., Inc. is a

recognized nonprofit

under Section

501(c) 3 of the

IRS tax code.

EIN#: 01-0592853

Donations to C.E.R.T.S.,

Inc. are tax deductible to

the fullest extent of the

law.

Gifts can also be

designated through

United Way #9618

DE State Employees

Charitable Campaign

#71036

Contributions on our

website at

www.certsinc.org

can be made anytime

through PayPal.

Select the

“Donate Now“ button.

YOU can help C.E.R.T.S.,

Inc. by:

Donating

Volunteering

Being a Sponsor

Sign-up for E-blast

newsletter

Main Office: 1501 Casho Mill Road, Suite 1, Newark, DE 19711

Kent County Site: 699 S. Carter Rd., Suite 1, Smyrna, DE 19977

The photographs in this report are of the C.E.R.T.S., Inc. Olympics, which co-

incided with the 2016 Rio Olympics. Planned and executed by our staff, the

Board, parents and participants would like to thank them for their dedication,

tireless work and creativity in providing a stimulating environment.

FY2016 Board Members

We offer heartfelt thanks for the hard work

and dedication to the individuals listed be-

low who were on the C.E.R.T.S., Inc. Board

of Directors during the fiscal year:

Laura Brown

Abdallah Celestin*

Karen Clark*

Mike Guida*

Mable Harmon

Amy Haughey*

Bill Hudson

Ray Jenkins*

Jennie Miller*

Carmen Sheppard

Doug Stamm

Chuck Staropoli*

*Individual served as officer

fy2016 annual report final - c.e.r.t.s., inc

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