A n n u a l

R e p o r t

Fiscal Year
J u l y 1, 2006 J u n e 30, 2007

www.mvle.org
Corporate Headquarters 7420 Fullerton Road, Suite 110 Springfield, Virginia 22153 (703) 569-3900 (703) 569-3932 Fax (703) 569-0170 TTY Rehab Centers 7405 Boston Boulevard Springfield, Virginia 22153 (703) 569-3900 (703) 569-3932 Fax (703) 569-0170 TTY 3855 Centerview Drive, Suite 100 Chantilly, Virginia 20151 (703) 796-9602 (703) 796-9615 Fax (703) 569-0170 TTY

#8257 MVLE is an equal opportunity employer. MVLE is a 501c3 not for profit organization.

Inc. is thrilled to commemorate the success achieved from our 36th year of providing creative and coveted employment and support opportunities for adults living with disabilities. As we reflect on Fiscal Year 2006-07, we invite you to celebrate with us the accolades of yet another year of growth in MVLEs vibrant history. Unprecedented thresholds were reached this year as MVLE positioned itself on the front lines of the Vocational Rehabilitation Industry:  Office Expansion: The recent acquisition of additional office space on Fullerton Road and Boston Boulevard extended future center-based rehabilitation and employment opportunities.  www.MVLE.org: The launching of MVLEs new website broadened Information Technology and Marketing capabilities.  CARF Accreditation: MVLE received its third consecutive 3-year CARF accreditation, including exemplary conformances for its performance evaluation system and for embracing the spirit and intents of individuals rights.  Community Employment: MVLE increased job options by opening four new Community Employment Services sites.  Rehabilitation Services: MVLE expanded its rehabilitative services to Arlington County Community Services Board by procuring a janitorial and car wash services contract for the Arlington Department of Environmental Services.  Digital Mailing: MVLE pioneered this new line of business and was chosen as the NISH East Coast demo site.  Medicaid Waiver Increase: Through collaborative advocacy efforts to the State Assembly, the ARC of Northern Virginia, VaACCSES, MVLE and other CRPs secured a 15% Northern Virginia rate differential for Medicaid Waiver.

If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a SUCCESS unexpected in common hours.
- Henry David Thoreau

In addition to organizational accomplishments, MVLE-served individuals experienced record-breaking success this year, including wage, productivity and Individualized Service Plan goal achievements:  $10.52: The average annual wage earned by individuals in the Individual Supported Employment program increased by over 10 cents from last years average. (MVLE-employed individuals average annual wages equaled a total of nearly 2 million dollars!). 2  9%: The productivity average of individuals in the center-based Production program reached this all-time high during the 4th Quarter of the fiscal year.  78%: Individuals in Community Employment Services increased their Individualized Service Plan goal completion average by over 10% since the previous year.

MVLEs focus was redefined this year through our strategic planning process as we adopted a revised mission, vision and values and prepared to launch our FY 2008-10 Strategic Plan. As we expanded our personal and professional support options for adults with disabilities, our services became increasingly specialized and viable to a larger population in our community. While we showcase with pride the ground we gained over a mere twelve months as we aimed to be the organization of choice, we also humbly acknowledge that without you, valued stakeholder, such success was impossible. It is with high regard and appreciation for the partnership we share with you that MVLE celebrates our thirty-sixth year of Creating Futures, One Person at a Time.

Frank Doe, Chairman

April Pinch-Keeler, President

T H E

M V L E

D I F F E R E N C e . . .
Andre Ash

O U R

S T O R I E S
Rekha

O F
Arthur

S U C C E S S

It is better for a flower to bloom late than never to bloom at all. Andre Ash believes these wise words proclaimed by his Grandmother when he was a child are an accurate depiction of his lifes journey over the past 54 years. Andre was born and raised in the DC metro area. At the age of seven, Andre was first introduced to drugs. He experimented with different substances as a teenager and dropped out of high school after tenth grade. He spent the next ten years in and out of jail for drug use and continued to abuse substances while in a three-year drug rehabilitation program. Andre served his final jail term at the age of 26. For the next 20 years of his life, he struggled to earn a living by working various construction jobs, while constantly fighting his addictions. In 1999, Andres grandmothers prophecy was fulfilled: his life began to bloom. Andre recalls the morning in July that he awoke at a bus stop with no recollection of the previous night: I just knew I couldnt live like that anymore; I decided to change my life. Andre walked immediately to Social Services to seek help. Social Services referred him to the Mens Day Support Detoxification Facility in Alexandria. It was at the Detoxification Recovery House that Andre found freedom from his addictions and began working at Best Car wash. Six months later, Andre yearned for a better job. The Recovery House connected him with DRS, who referred him to MVLE. In October, 2000, MVLE Employment Consultant Jeff Lumpkins secured Andre a job as a custodian for the NISH contract at Ft. Belvoir. A mere eight months later, Andre was promoted to a supervisory position. In 2003, Andre became an Assistant Project Manager, and in 2004, Andre worked his way to the Project Manager position that he currently holds. MVLEs 33 Ability One- (previously NISH) employed individuals boast the highest wages of all MVLE programs, with an average of $10.52 earned per hour in FY 2007. Andres salary is now more than double what he made at Best Car Wash, and he enjoys health and retirement benefits as well. 2007 marks the ninth year that Andre has been clean from drugs and the seventh year that he enjoys a career at his longest-held place of employment! When asked how MVLE has helped him in his personal and professional journey, Andre explains that MVLE staff trusted him and displayed confidence in his job performance. If he ever needed help or support, Andre felt comfortable calling Jeff, Pearle Whitaker, or any of the other MVLE employees with whom he worked. Andre praised MVLE for its family atmosphere and for truly living its mission. We at MVLE are proud of Andre and his accomplishments, and we will forever boast of the personal and professional successes he enjoys from his fully-bloomed life today.

Rekha Arthurs ten years at MVLE have been an embodiment of the organizations mission, vision and values. When entering MVLEs services in 1997, Rekha was transparent about her desire to work in the community. Unfortunately, her first two jobs in Community Employment Services and Community Access were unsuccessful matches; Rekha struggled with behavior issues that kept her from maintaining community employment. Rekha did not give up hope of finding her perfect job, however, and MVLE did not give up on Rekha. Living their corporate-held values of respect, opportunity, diversity, integrity and success, MVLE staff proposed Rekha try center-based employment in the Production program. While Rekhas performance skyrocketed in Production, where last years productivity average of the programs 75 individuals was 21%, she remained unhappy, for she yearned to earn more money and work in the community. At this time in MVLEs history, an exciting opportunity arose in Community Access: a custodial contract opened at Mt. Vernon Presbyterian Church. MVLE staff decided to give Rekha the opportunity to work again in the community. They set personal and professional goals to prepare her for the transition. Rekha resolutely faced the challenge; she was determined to meet her goals, and soon her behavior began to drastically improve. As Rekha transitioned into her new Community Access job, she developed friendships with her peers. She worked hard and increased her wages. She began to reverse her previous behavior problems; in fact, since she began working at Mt. Vernon Presbyterian Church, not one incident report for her has been completed. She is now a top performer in Community Access, where the average wage of its 49 individuals was $2.31 in FY 2007, and the average productivity today is 35%. Most importantly, Rekhas personal and professional successes have increased her sense of self-worth she takes great pride in her work. Rekhas journey is a microcosm of the MVLE difference: a tenacious commitment to creating the futures for which adults with disabilities desire.

O U R

S T O R I E S
Matthew

O F
Johnson

S U C C E S S
Our Mission

Matthew has grown into a strong young man. He has learned to respect his co-workers, take pride in his work, and work as a member of a team (Debra Briscoe, job coach). Thirty-five-year-old Matthew Johnson, more affectionately known as MJ, was not always so fond of his job, supervisors or peers. In 2003, when he began working in Community Employment Services (CES) at Greenspring Village, a retirement community in Springfield, he was assigned dishwashing duties with demands that became too taxing for him. He responded by resisting authority and ignoring directions. However, such challenges only illuminated one of MVLEs distinguishing characteristics the provision of creative and individualized employment and support opportunities. As a solution, MVLE staff re-assigned him to cleaning pots and pans, a task that was more conducive to Matthews interests and needs. As Matthew excelled in his job skills, he felt good about himself, and his attitude changed. At approximately the same time, he was assigned a new job coach (Debra), whose firm, yet encouraging coaching style contributed to Matthews increasing job success. Today Matthew is so confident in his work abilities that he is often heard saying, Im the man; I can do it! Matthew now also occasionally works as head dishwasher, the very job that was too arduous for him when he first arrived at Greenspring. He excels at delegating duties and leading by example. After talking to Matthew, it is easy to understand why his MVLE experience is a success story. Not only has his increased job performance contributed to the 44% average productivity and $3.47 average hourly wage of the 138 individuals in CES during FY 2007, but his positive attitude and team-focused mentality have helped his department to achieve the greatest Individualized Service Plan goal completion out of all programs last year an average of 78%, which is a 10% improvement from the previous year! Matthews exuberance for his job, friends, family and life, as well as his stellar performance in CES, are the exciting results of the MVLE difference at its best!

To create futures one person at a time for people with disabilities through employment and support services.

Our

Vision

Utilizing best business practices, MVLE will encourage personal and professional growth for people living with disabilities.

Our

Values

MVLEs values are: Respect, Opportunity, Success, Diversity, and Integrity

W ho
Types of Employment

W e

S erve
Percent 30% >1% 18%

S trate g ic
INDICATOR

A ccom p lishments
2005 2006 2007

Mailing and Fulfillment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Digital Scanning and Mailing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Janitorial/Cleaning. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Governance
Board Performance Social Responsibility

and

Social

Responsibility
+3 0 YES YES +1 0 YES YES +2 -1 YES YES

Board Member Recruitment Turnover Our Voices Count Sponsorship Staff Participation in United Way Drive

Hospitality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25% Flyer/Newspaper Distribution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8% Land Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Primary Disability of Individuals Served 18%

Percent 95% 3%

Corporate
Volunteer Program Safety and Security

Capability
Volunteer Hours

and

Structure
240 34 0 0 - 880 125 0 0 18.9 1,061 196 0 0 19.4

Developmental Disability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mental Disability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Number of Volunteers Number of Human Rights Complaints Breeches in security (information & data management) Average Number of Days between Workers Compensation Incidents

Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2%

W ho

W e

A re

Finance
Fiscal Accountability Contributions as a Source of Funding Revenue from Production Services (Sales) .7% 31.8% .8% 30.8% .8% 29.1%

Characteristics of MVLE Employees  4 9% have 8 or more years of experience in this field.  M ost Direct Support Professionals have been employed by MVLE for over 3 years.  6 8% of MVLE mangers have been promoted from front line staff.. What Our Employees Like Best About MVLE  5 6% think the consumers receiving services are the reason they get out of bed in the morning!  4 2% think their work hours/schedule is the best quality of their jobs!  28% think their personally fulfilling work brings them back day after day!  28% think MVLEs mission and values keep them committed to their jobs!  2 2% think their co-workers are the best part of working at MVLE!

Staff
Culture of Teamwork

Development
Number of Staff Employed Staff Turnover Rate Average Number of Annual Promotions Average Number of Annual New Hires 140 - - - 151 30% 6 54 156 21% 11 38

Services
Quality of Life Number of Individuals Served by MVLE Number of Individuals Employed by MVLE directly Client Retention Rate Wages Paid Goal completion rate 452 308 93% $918,468 60% 498* 327 91.4% 63% 450 348 92% 70%

$1,081919 $1,183,954

* includes individuals who assessed at MVLE but did not receive long term employment

M V L E
Highlights

V olunteer

Pro g ram

V olunteer

of

the

Y ear

 M VLE was fortunate to utilize many new volunteers who shared their time and talents which enabled us to create three new volunteer programs. Including: a music program, a social lunch program, and a virtual volunteer program.  M VLE materials were translated into Spanish by professional linguists who volunteered in our virtual volunteer program.  5 3 individuals served by MVLE participated in our Book Club  7 5 individuals served by MVLE participated in the Pet Therapy group  57 individuals served by MVLE participated in Music Appreciation classes  1 5 individuals served by MVLE participated in our Social Lunch program  T hrough our dedicated volunteers MVLE was able to offer a variety of musical performances, art classes, and sign language classes to individuals at both the Chantilly and Boston facilities.  M VLEs Volunteer Coordinator, Sabrina Gibson, received the honor of the Northern Virginia Association of Volunteer Administration, New Volunteer Coordinator of the Year award!

MVLE has gained partnerships with several long-serving volunteers whose contributions and loyalties are invaluable. Oney Burton is one such reliable volunteer who has been serving with MVLE for 15 months. She currently leads the reading program in Chantilly where every Wednesday she reads to individuals in the Personal and Social Services and Community Access programs. Oney has also volunteered for many of MVLEs special events, such as the Annual Golf Tournament and the volunteer fair. She has helped center-based staff host activities by grilling hamburgers for an Independence Day celebration cook-out and Emceeing a fashion event. Her son, Arthur, who has developmental disabilities and is employed by MVLE, is one of the driving forces for Oneys whole-hearted dedication to MVLEs mission. Oney explained, Its very important for me to give back because so much has been given to my son. This year, because of Oneys selfless service and dependability, Volunteer Coordinator Sabrina Gibson nominated her for the Fairfax County Volunteer Service Award; Oney was honored as a nominee at the annual awards ceremony breakfast.

V olunteer

Pro g ram

of

the

Y ear

MVLE currently implements five volunteer programs: pet therapy, art therapy, music therapy, reading, and social lunch hour. While it is difficult to identify which program the individuals enjoy most, pet therapy is one of the widespread favorites. Tammy Combs, a participant of Springfields Personal and Social Services says, I love pet therapy. I like to pat Itsy and Bitsy. Susan Wilke, who is also enrolled in PSSG, states, I like Maisie with all that hair! Pet therapy is one of the first volunteer programs Volunteer Coordinator Sabrina Gibson created a couple of years ago in response to individuals expressed interest in animals. Currently, four ladies from Greenspring Village, a local retirement community with which MVLE has a business partnership, bring their dogs to Springfield each month for individuals to pet and hold. Individuals in Chantilly also enjoy this popular program; they look forward to visits from Pete Barnes of Pets on Wheels and his dog Murphy, a St. Bernard.

IN
SOURCE

A
OF

NCI
F UN D S

HI

HLI

HTS

RE V ENUE

DRS CSBS Va. Medicaid Contributions Production Services Other

$141,100 $4,536,927 $2,373,212 $2,955,776

1.4% 44.7% 23.4% 29.1%

Program Services Production Services Contributions Other

$7,051,239 $2,955,776

69.5% 29.1%

$85,385 .8% $49,538 .5%

$85,385 .8% $49,538 .5%

USE

OF

F UN D S

E X P ENSES

Center Services Community Employment Services Production Services Management and General

$3,891,996 $1,814,006 $2,580,705 $1,745,615

38.8% 18.1% 25.7% 17.4%

Personnel Occupancy Equipment/Supplies Other

$7,307,401 $1,502,418 $943,777 $278,726

72.8% 15.0% 9.4% 2.8%

B oard

of

D irectors
OFFICERS

B. Frank Doe Chairman Financial Planner, Chairman-Audit Committee Ken Hansen Former Secretary Special Assistant for Manufacturing Programs U.S. Census Bureau Joe Apa Vice Chairman Senior Partner, The Capital Group, Audit Committee

Mark Beerthuis Secretary Colonel, United States Army Retired Chairman-Board Governance Gary Bojes Treasurer US Department of Agriculture, Chair of Finance

DIRECTORS Karen Roberson Realtor/ Parent Chairman Legislative Committee Gay Shane Security Consultant Performance & Development Committee Richard Bowers Personnel Management Specialist, Retired HR Committee Peggie Furlough Business Operator/ Parent HR & Legislative Committee Carol Ciofalo OB/GYN Physician Legislative Committee Paul Seigle Market Risk Analyst-PES IT Committee Scott Mendelson Principal, Edge Commercial Chairman of Business Development Committee

President April Pinch Keeler

Vice Presidents Bill DeMattia Vice President of Business Services Elizabeth Scott Vice President of Performance & Development Jo-Ellen McQuade Vice President of Administration Kenan Aden Vice President of Program Services