Optimization Project Update September 2018

Opportunities for Optimization The board and general membership of Abilities Manitoba consulted with the Catholic Health Corporation of Manitoba (CHCM) to better understand and learn about CHCM’s optimization project. Our first step has been to talk to our membership to gage interest and gather information. The menu of service options as per the CHCM is as follows: Information Sharing Sharing Resources (Joint Capacity Building) Service Coordination (Protocols) Service Collaboration (Joint Delivery) Amalgamation (Common Governance) We acknowledge the sector is currently working together across the spectrum from information sharing (informal) to amalgamation (formal).

Survey On January 23rd and June 14, 2018 Abilities Manitoba surveyed senior managers to seek information on current areas of optimization and areas of optimization worth pursuing. Fifty-two senior managers were consulted at the January meeting, and seventy-two in June. A sample of the results is provided. Question: If AB MB were to undertake a project on Optimization, what areas would be most important to your agency? What specific areas would your agency benefit most from?

Results of June 14th, 2018 Station Discussions - Most interested in Survey - 29 Forms Completed Station Discussions - Most interested in Job Descriptions 17 Policy Best Practices 15 Shared legal council 14 Shared IT supports Shared fundraising expert 13 Innovations Person centred planning and support Shared grant writer 12 Mentorship matching Shared social media support 11 Wage scales 10 Expertise to build business partnerships 9 Shared office space Expanding/changing services Shared data management software 8 Bulk car leasing agreement 6 Umbrella pension and benefits plan Shared financial/payroll resources Shared staffing Shared human resources Shared home purchasing expertise 5 Shared home building expertise Transitions from high school Collective bargaining 4 Bulk grocery purchasing 2 Sharing info (wage scale info) Resource “library” –electronically speaking Becoming more “virtual” or electronically focused allows for less physical space (reducing cost) Perhaps utilize hubs by regions (spaces agencies share to run from) Umbrella pension and benefits plans Training packages that have been developed by agencies

Results Shared HR Policy/Practices Shared Finance Policy/Practices Shared Sector Best Practices Collective Bargaining Health and Safety policies Training resources Co-sponsor employee training Shared blueprints/building plans Shared trainer from another agency Share staff to another agency in time of need Cross-train staff between agencies Shared staff off site at another agency/community location Shared costs on capital items such as software and facilities Shared costs for workshops to advocates/families Shared a building/facility with another agency Conducted research/feasibility study with another agency Worked with another agency to create services for a person and/or support network Worked together with other agencies on case support Worked with other agencies to assist with services or administration Question: Please provide us as many specific examples as you can on how you have/are currently working with other agencies?

Past, Present & Future PAST: MORE WITH LESS for agencies that serve adults with intellectual disabilities throughout Manitoba. Due to: Frozen or small increases in funding Increased complexity in individuals’ support needs Net Impact: had to Optimize out of necessity to ensure operations remained solvent and stable.

Past, Present & Future PRESENT: Abilities Manitoba has acted as a platform for agencies to work together, formally and informally, on joint initiatives. Over the past twelve months, Abilities Manitoba members have worked on a number of sector initiatives, including: Quality Assurance Training & Professionalism Co-development of database software Legal coordination Information sharing including HR and Health & Safety policies The Board of Abilities Manitoba conclusion is that it will be difficult to sustain this momentum without the implementation of long-term plan to increase organizations’ capacities. FUTURE: We will be applying to the Winnipeg Foundation in September for a capacity building grant to fund an “Optimization Project Coordinator” to formalize the project and provide additional support.

Project Coordinator Based on the experience of the CHCM, there is an opportunity to formalize how the sector works together and identify opportunities for optimization. At present, Abilities Manitoba does not have the internal capacity to take on the project formally. While we were unsuccessful in securing a multi-year grant for a coordinator position from the Winnipeg Foundation in the spring of 2018, we plan to apply for a one-year capacity building grant in September. We will also be exploring other funding opportunities.