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April 1, 2011
2010 Recap
Services – We are currently auditing our 2010 service numbers and outcomes for Fall publication of our annual report, but preliminarily, it was another outstanding and impactful year with 3,774 clients enrolled in programs, and another 9,931 youth reached through our education and outreach initiatives.
Finances – Our financial audit will soon be under way, but our unaudited financial performance for 2010 was right in line with the operating budget throughout the fiscal year. Operating revenue exceeded projections, due in part to the opening of the Belltower Chapel on our new campus. Operating expenses were, likewise, in line with the budget projections for the year. Endowment assets held in invested securities and mineral assets were transferred to the new All Church Home for Children Foundation. The return on the investments was approximately 14%. Mineral revenue was almost 75% higher than anticipated, at just over $1.5 million for the year. These returns contribute to the strength of our endowment and will provide operating resources for ACH into the future.
New Brand – We successfully transitioned into our new name and brand last year. Many things have changed, including our new reACH Magazine and our website, but our mission is still the same: Protecting Children and Preserving Families. All of our new communications and branding initiatives are designed to increase our profile in the community, so that we may Protect more Children and Preserve more Families in the years to come.
Board of Directors
New Members – Brenda King, John Tinsley, Barry King and Jack Huff all began three-year terms of service on the ACH Board in January. Melisa Caston Schultz is leading our board for the next two years as Board Chair. Melisa Schultz and Robert Simpson recently joined Larry Autrey, Harry Brants, Sherrie Cyrier, Mark Johnson and Susan Rose as members of the All Church Home Foundation’s Board of Directors.
Strategic Planning – The board continues the strategic planning process that began last year. With the state considering privatizing child welfare, big changes to our business model are fast approaching and the board is doing their due diligence on all of our options for greatest impact.
Program Highlights
COA Accreditation – I am pleased to report that our efforts in 2010 to achieve reaccreditation with the Council on Accreditation in Washington D.C. were successful. All of our programs and services meet national standards for best practices. We are proud of our eight-year record of successful accreditations!
Evaluation & Accreditation – Early this year, we welcomed Dr. Sean Allen as Vice President of Evaluation & Accreditation. Dr. Allen is responsible for ACH’s ongoing quality improvement process, accreditation standards compliance, client data management systems, and ongoing outcomes and impact evaluation.
LIFE Project Expansion – Because of our strong partnership with Tarrant County government, we have just expanded our transitional living program options and capacity. Two additional youth can now be supported in individual apartments located in various parts of the community. This will give us greater programming flexibility and bring our program capacity to eight youth. More substantial growth in this program is expected after renovations are completed to the Residential Services Building on the Wichita Street Campus in 2012.
Trauma Informed Care – Dr. Gary Buff, Vice President of Residential Services, is currently leading a group of staff implementing the Trauma Informed Care Model in all of our residential programs. Individualized, trauma-specific interventions are designed to target the consequences of a child’s traumatic experiences like abuse and neglect, and to facilitate their healing. Trauma informed services are based on an understanding of the vulnerabilities, purposeful nature of problem behaviors and triggers of trauma survivors. Traditional service delivery approaches may exacerbate the behaviors and emotional state of a child with complex trauma. So, trauma informed services can promote healing, provide greater support and avoid re-traumatization. Ultimately, we hope this approach will lead to a greater long-term, positive impact for the children in our care.
Special Projects
Wichita Street Campus Expansion – We’ve reached an amazing milestone in this project. The Andrews Family Welcome Center will be dedicated in May, and shortly thereafter, renovations of the Administration Building and Residential Services Building will begin. None of this would be possible without the generosity and help of so many donors and funding partners. Our Home Improvements Campaign has raised $6.2 million of the $9.5 million needed to complete this project. Additional funding last year from New Market Tax Credits and a grant from the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco has added to the financial viability of this project.
Belltower Chapel & Garden – Our first social business venture, Belltower Chapel & Garden, is doing better than projected. With 99 weddings in 2010 and 120 weddings scheduled for 2011, we are well on our way to generating profits to support our programs and services. Equally important is the fact that this business employed 10 foster youth last year, providing 1,443 hours of critical supportive employment and economic empowerment for these youth. We look forward to our future ability to provide more of this stimulus for a population in great need of it.
Looking Forward
Spring Flings – We have once again packed our Spring with a lot of activities. Look for invitations and announcements on the following events and activities:
- Lend a Hand Campaign and Luncheon – April 7
- Paul E. Andrews Family Welcome Center Dedication – May 18
- Senior Graduation Dinner – May 24
Our Thanks
None of this work would be possible without the many contributions of time, talent, expertise and resources from each of you. I cannot ever thank each of you enough for your individual contributions that ensure the Protection of Children and the Preservation of Families. Thank you.
Wayne Carson, PhD
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