Volume 4 Issue 5 June 2010

“The CCAC is very pleased to be bringing everyone togetherthis morning across the SouthWest.We know that everyone hereis focused on providing the best care we can to our clients.Today’s event is an opportunity to understand the best of what’savailable in the community and to get updated on the latest in-novations in service.”

With those words, CEO Sandra Coleman launched the SouthWest CCAC All-Staff meeting on June 10. Events were held atfour sites across the South West – London, Owen Sound, Strat-ford and Woodstock. A health fair featuring community serviceproviders was held at each site. CCAC staff members werepaired up and given hypothetical client “scenarios” asking themto explore the services available in their community by meetingand talking with people at the booths. “I’ve been working withthe CCAC for more than 20 years,” said Megan Nichols, CCACRegional Manager, Quality, “and I’ve already learned about serv-ices I didn’t know were here! This opportunity has been great.”Adds Sheila Nother, case manager at the University campus ofLondon Health Sciences Centre: “It’s been wonderful to see allthe different types of services and resources that are out there.I’ll be able to go back to work and refer people to support serv-ices that I’m more knowledgeable about.” In evaluations, 96%of staff members said they found the meeting helpful in learningmore about community support services.

After the Health Fairs were complete, Coleman noted that thetwo most common phrases heard were, “I’m so glad to finallymeet you,” and “Oh, I didn’t know you did that.” She added thatcase managers will now be prepared to make more and more ac-curate referrals as a result. “Ultimately it’s our clients who willbenefit from our time together today.”

The CCAC’s Annual All-Staff Reminded Everyone of theImportant Role of Community Support Services

Leading and Learning Together

To view the All-Staff Event click here.www.youtube.com/user/SWCCAC

“It’s great to be here, to bring aware-ness to our program in the commu-nity and to let people know thedistance that our program covers.The event is very well attended and

the scenarios are great.”Pat Harmer, ConnectCare Program, Parkwood Hospital

“I think even though a lot of people are familiar withour program, … it’s always nice to have that opportu-nity for interaction about the specific parts of theprogram. And that’s been wonderfultoday. Whoever came up with theidea – it was absolutely brilliant.”LindsayWonnacutt, Grey Bruce FallsPrevention and Intervention Program(Grey Bruce Health Unit)

“This is long overdue and I think weshould do it more often. It helps the case

managers understand the programswe have. The whole point is to helpclients navigate the system better.”Dawn Adams-Burridge, Elgin-St.Thomas Adult Day Program

“It’s given us an opportunity to share ourresources, as well as our knowledge and to providefeedback to CCAC staff … to provide that one-on-onecontact that’s needed to provide the best care for ourseniors in our community.”Jo-Anne Cook, Home & Community Support Services ofGrey-Bruce

in thisISSUE: Looking Forward + PMA Team + CDC Awards Recipients + WHAT’S THE BUZZ +

New South West CCAC Staff + Staff Moments and Celebrations

We will look back at the 2009-2010 year as a definingmoment in the development of the South West CCAC.

It was a year in which we faced significant funding chal-lenges and worked together to find creative solutions. Ayear in which we made tough choices based on our sharedvision for the future. A year of strengthened partnershipsand renewed commitment to Client-Driven Care. A year inwhich we counted on, trusted, and supported one another.

We can all take pride in our achievements – the innovativecare models, high levels of client satisfaction, enhancedpartnerships across the health spectrum, successfuladoption of new technology, significant contributions toknowledge creation, and much more. Above all, we shouldall be proud that we put clients and our philosophy ofClient-Driven Care at the centre of everything we did.

In the year ahead, we will continue to face finite financialresources and growing demand for our services, alwaysneeding to innovate to find ways to provide care to thosewho need it most. We will also continue to deal with rapidchange throughout the health system and potential short-ages in some professions.

I’m confident that we will turn these challenges into oppor-tunities. During our recent All-Staff meeting on June 10,I was reminded of the strength, compassion andcommitment of our staff, care providersand community partners.

We are all focused on the same goals. We are learning toshare information and work together more effectively. Weare leading together.

The South West CCAC has come through our definingmoment stronger and more resilient than ever. My heartfeltthanks to each one of you for your hard work and dedica-tion during the past year, and over the past three years.

Performance Measurement by the NumbersHow did we do relative to our performance goals for 2009-2010? Great! And here are the numbers to prove it.• 93% of clients reported satisfaction as good or excellent.• We exceeded the LHIN target for services to help hip andknee replacement patients get home earlier by nearly 50%.

• 79% of acute clients received their first visit less thanthree days after referral.

• The average number of days from hospital discharge tofirst in-home visit was less than two.

• 100% of hospital respondents rated their satisfaction withthe CCAC as good or excellent.

• 85% of service providers rated their satisfaction with theCCAC as good or excellent.

• 61% of “orphaned” patients were matched to physiciansthrough Care Connectors program for a total of over3,600 to date.

• ALC beds were reduced from a high of 170 in spring2008 to a low of 79 in the summer of 2009.

• The CCAC’s Safe at Home program helped prevent82,500 patient long-term care and hospital days.

• The average cost per client for medical supplies was23% lower than the provincial average, and the secondlowest in the province.

• The average cost per client for medical equipment was43% lower than the provincial average and third lowestin the province.

To review the full 2009/2010 results of the PMF pleasesee the Intranet under Current News.

Great work, team!

2 The South West CCAC Staff Bulletin

A Message fromSandra Coleman, CEOSouth West CCAC

Looking back, looking forward

June 2010 • Volume 4, Issue 5 5

WHAT’S THE BUZZ?Huron’s Health StatusRecent reports from the Huron CountyHealth Unit covered a wide range ofhealth status information, including:• Over 80% of Huron County residents

drink alcohol.• 40% of Huron County residents eat

fruits and vegetables 5 or more timesa day.

• Over 50% of Huron County residentshave smoked at least 100 cigarettesin their life.

• Nearly 90% of Huron Countyresidents say that nobody in theirhousehold smokes regularly insidethe home.

• Almost 50% of Huron Countyresidents have one or morechronic diseases.

• There are more Huron Countyresidents who are overweight andobese than residents who havehealthy weights.

Epidemiologist Shelly-Ann Hall saysreports will be useful to governmentagencies and community organizationsinvolved with the health and well-beingof Huron County residents.

Bending the CurveIn April, the Ontario Association ofCommunity Care Access Centres(OACCAC), the Ontario Federationof Community Mental Health andAddiction Programs (OFCMHAP), andthe Ontario Hospital Association (OHA)released “Ideas and Opportunities forBending the Health Care Cost Curve:Advice for the Government of Ontario”.

Among the strategies proposed:• Swift implementation of leadership

and strategies to better managecostly chronic illness.

• Rapid uptake of results-orientedleading practices.

• Appropriate shifting of servicesand funding from hospitals to thecommunity.

• Strengthening mental health andaddiction services and supportsin the community by providingcommunity-based crisis servicesthat are available 24/7.

• Targeted human resourcesinitiatives.

Welcome New StaffGrey Bruce: Amy L’Heureux, andGina Stroud, CSAs

London: CMs Lindsay Bowden,Andrea Fisher, Jacqueline Richards,and Rea Theijsmeijer and Jodi Martin,Procurement Manager, Services

The PMA team recently got togetherfor a strategic planning session todefine their team’s purpose and vision.

PMA Team Purpose:To support and sustain a culture ofContinuous Quality Improvement

PMA Vision:We enable dynamic systems of care,bridging connections to achieveclient-driven, high quality outcomes

Leadership Award: Carolyn Sheculski (secondfrom left), People Development Manager

Individual Client Services Award: Petey Noble(centre), Case Manager

Individual Other Services Award:Angelo D’Alessandro (second from right), ServiceDesk Tier 1

Team Award: Huron and Perth CHRIS Champi-ons celebrate with other Award nominees at theStratford All-Staff event. Left to right: LindaSuplat, (Service Desk, Tier 1), ChampionJennifer Millian (CS Manager, previously CM),Champion Connie Vandersleen (CM), AndyWerner (Board Member), Champion Pat Roesner(CSA), Leah Fink (CSA), Sheila Rolph, (CSA)and Donna Ladouceur (Senior Director ClientServices). Champions absent from photo: BettyMacDonald (CSA), Karen Gibb (CM), and VickiHarkness (CS Manager)

Performance Management andAccountability (PMA) Team

Client-DrivenCare AwardsRecipients

PMA team members:

Seated (l to r): Nupee Hardeep Sadra,Regional Manager, Quality, Gwen Vanderhey-den, Regional Manager, Quality, JoanneTeutloff, Procurement Administrator, TinaSzasz, Procurement Administrator

Standing (l to r): Gord Milak, Senior Director,Performance Management and Accountability,Lori Gonsalves, Executive Assistant, Kim

Le-Mare Matthews, Regional Manager, Procurement, Michele Dalton, Administrative Assistant,Darlene Bogie, Regional Manager, Quality, Brett Watson, Procurement Manager, Goods, JodiMartin, Procurement Manager, Purchased Services, Jennifer Thompson, Administrative Assistantand Tina Hickey, MES Supervisor

The South West CCAC Staff Bulletin100%

This product is made from 100% recycled fiber.

You are appreciated

Iolanda Locker

Do you know how much

the Elgin staff appreci-

ate Iolanda and that

we could not cope

without her? Staff say

that Iolanda is a bright spot in their

day, always pleasant, quick to get their

needs taken care of, knowledgeable

and thorough, patient and a joy to

work with. We are glad she works in

our office.

CS Manager DonnabethSweetland’s daughterSarajayne Sweetlandis the current CanadianOpen Solo Step DanceChampion and returnsto the Canterbury Folk Festival on July 9and 10 in Ingersoll. She has performedwith Canadian and US Fiddle ChampionShane Cook and his colleagues. In 2009,she took first place at the Pembroke Fid-dle and Step Dance Championships.Sarajayne traveled to Belize for a 3 weekmission last Christmas to dance with thevillage children and plans a mission toAfrica this summer.

LONDON ITDEPARTMENT GETS

WORLD CUPSOCCER FEVER

Left to right: Andrew Larson, Dustin Simpson,Blake Kennedy, Niki Lauzon, Angelo D'Alessandroand Colin Gray.

Left to right:CMs HeleneMoore, JohannaSteegstra, JaneRundle, FranHook, andNancy Walker.

ONA week

Seaforth celebrated ONA week at theREACH Centre in Clinton recently.Members were treated to a tour of thefacility, hors d’oeuvres by Bon Vivantchef Devin Tabor and a wine tasting.

Owen Sound’s office participated atthe ONA week celebrations on May26th at Bluewater Golf Course in Bay-field with Val “making shots” McCrae(no really… golf shots), Karin “longdrive” Burrows (hit as far as Paul mostof the day), Darlene “tee it up” Turner(hit the ball far and straight by end ofday), and Paul “spray the ball” Hurst(we hope the mobile home doesn’thave a dent) winning the braggingrights with a score of 31 (4 under par)and the longest drive for men. SouthWest CCAC was well represented withseveral offices participating.ellen show

“I danced, I sang,I laughed,” saysWoodstock CSACandice Beselaere,who attended an

“Ellen” show in Burbank, California thataired on May 18th, 2010.

Woodstock CM Nancy Cheevers’ son Paul (middle,back row) has been a teacher in Mongolia for twoyears. He recently traveled with his studentsacross Russia by train for two days to Siberia toteach about other countries “Across the Borders.”It was a wonderful experience for all.

London CS ManagerAnne Smith retiredon May 28. Annewas with us for over15 years and will bemissed. We wishher all the best.

Marathon Completed

Cathy Pressey, GRT CMfrom the St. Thomasoffice completed theOttawa Marathon on May30, 2010. This follows the30 km Around the BayRace on March 28, 2010.

Woodstock CSA Shannon Brett ran herfirst Half Marathon and PMA AssistantTina Szasz ran her first 10K run at the2010 Ottawa road raceon May 29. The tworunners belong tothe “Run Dick Run”group and wear theirmedals proudly.

Grandmother

Ruth Ann Steckle, CM at the Seaforthoffice welcomes her granddaughter AylaRose, born May 11 weighing 9 lbs 4.5oz and 21.5 inches long.

Baby news

On May 3, Woodstock CM Susan VanStraten and hubby John welcomed theirnewborn son Jonathan “Cole”Van Straten. Cole was bornweighing 8 lbs, 6 oz and20 inches long.

Susan and Cole (at far right) werecelebrated by staff members during ababy shower hosted in their honour.

A bicycle built for 2, 4, 30???

Sporting South West CCAC t-shirts,grass skirts, and Hawaiian leis, a groupof Seaforth staff and family membersrallied together to ride the Big Bike atthe Clinton Raceway on Monday, June21 to help raise funds for the Heart andStroke Foundation. Our team “CCAC:Cool, Cute, and Caring” (namedby CSA Bev Lecomte), sang theteam cheer (written by receptionistLaura Johnston) and rode enthusi-astically around the track in just over3 minutes, apparently beating aprevious record.

All the hard work paid off with riders rais-ing $1,899. Many thanks to organizers

from the social committee,participants and those whocame out to cheer.