Assistive Technology Partners: Becoming Self-Sufficient Cathy Bodine PhD CCC-SLP Department of Rehabilitation Medicine University of Colorado Health Sciences Center July, 27 th -29 th 2003 State Tech Act Project Directors Annual Meeting

First-Know Yourself…. Or laying the strategic groundwork…..

What is your vision? Vision  Assistive Technology Partners envisions a world where all persons with cognitive, sensory and/or physical disabilities are engaged in life at home, school, work and play, without barriers and without boundaries.

What is your mission? Mission  The mission of ATP is for persons with cognitive, sensory and/or physical disabilities to reach their highest possible potential at home, school, work and play through the addition of appropriate assistive technologies (AT) to their lives.

How are you organized?

Groundwork  Look for Champions– In our case… –Enid Ablowitz, Vice President CU Foundation –Director of Advancement, The Coleman Institute –Bill Caile, V.I.P., CU Volunteer –Dennis Matthews, M.D., Chairperson, –Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center

Groundwork  Don’t kid yourself about the time this takes!  Don’t start actively recruiting until you have Faculty and Staff Buy-In –If you don’t have buy-in—think about your faculty and staff alignment  Make sure you’ve done your homework within your academic institution

Creating an Advisory Board  January 9, 2002 –Bill and Enid visit ATP……………………… …………………………………………………  March 27, 2003 –Inaugural ATP Advisory Council Meeting Areas of member expertise: –Marketing –Fundraising –Strategic Planning

Nuts & Bolts of Strategic Planning….  A lot needs to happen before you formalize a strategic plan…  Do you have the right people?  Do you have an idea of where you want to go?  Do you have the support of your leader(s)?  Do you have the stomach to make the necessary changes?

Nuts & Bolts of Strategic Planning….  Do you truly understand your program?  What is your history? Write it down.  How are you organized?  Products and Services?  Competitive Advantage—What makes you better?

Nuts & Bolts of Strategic Planning….  Do you truly understand your program?  Resources—How are you funded?  How stable is your funding?  What are your financial strengths?  Governance—What does your organizational chart look like?

Nuts & Bolts of Strategic Planning….  Do you truly understand your program?  Long-Range Planning  What are your 4-5 Strategic Goals?  To be the best at XX.  What objectives are associated with each goal? Are they measurable?  Planning for a Strong Advisory Council

Nuts & Bolts of Strategic Planning….  Do you truly understand your program?  What is your market profile? Who are your customers? Can they pay?  What are the risks you encounter with your current program? Your new program?  Who is your competition?  What is the current climate like?

Nuts & Bolts of Strategic Planning….  Do you truly understand your program?  What is your marketing plan?  Have you thought about the costs of doing business?  Who are your key personnel?  Who will champion your Advisory Committee?  What will they do?

What does your funding stream look like?

Nuts & Bolts of Strategic Planning….

In 1996 ATP employed6.4 FTE Today10.8 FTE Income FY $571,000 (1 Federal Grant) Today$1.1 million (Federal Grants/State & Private Contracts/Fee for Service/Gifts)