STRATEGIC PLAN
2008-2011

Approved by Heartland's Board of Directors
March 20, 2008

Mission

To provide employment, job placement, vocational and life skills training to adults with mental, physical and / or emotional disabilities in order to help them to reach their personal and vocational goals.

Vision

To be recognized as a premier provider of services that utilizes “best practices” in exercising its Commitment to providing a range of programs and advocacy services for individuals with disabilities which enable those served to maximize their individual quality of life potential as contributing members of the community in which they reside.

Destination

Posture our organization and its non-profit status to forecast and implement quality services that meet the changing requirements of its stakeholders from one generation to the next.

Core Values

	ALL PEOPLE HAVE THE RIGHT TO BE TREATED WITH DIGNITY AND RESPECT.
	ALL PEOPLE SHOULD HAVE ACCESS TO SERVICES THAT ACHIEVE OPTIMAL OUTCOMES.
	ALL PEOPLE SHOULD FEEL EMPOWERED TO EXERCISE CHOICE AND PERSONAL RIGHTS.

Desired Outcomes and Quality indicators for our Strategic Plan is modeled from California’s long range plan established every 5 years by the State Council on Developmental Disabilities (SCDD).  The SCDD 2007-2011 State plan has the following areas of emphasis:

• Community Supports
• Education and Early Intervention
• Employment
• Health
• Housing
• Quality Assurance
• Recreation
• Transportation

These are the key areas to consider in measuring our organization’s ability to evolve over time to meet the full inclusion expectations held by people with developmental disabilities. 

The goals for our strategic plan are also the quality indicators established for our annual Outcome Measurement System.  The difference between the two management information systems is that our Strategic Plan, measures cumulative progress achieved over a four year period, and our Outcome Measurement system, tracks annual progress.

The Key Goals & Quality Indicators (QI)

Key Goal #1	Community Supports - Californians with developmental disabilities served by Heartland are fully included in all aspects of community life.
QI-1:	People served will participate in service and volunteer opportunities of their choosing.
Key Goal #2	Education - Californians with developmental disabilities enrolled in Madera and Mariposa county schools will have control, choice, and flexibility in the education they receive.
QI-1:	Heartland will collaborate with parents, students, and educators in the implementation transition services for students to create access to appropriate post-secondary opportunities of their choice.
Key Goal #3	Employment - Californians with developmental disabilities served by Heartland will obtain, succeed, and advance in employment consistent with their interests, abilities, and needs.
QI-1:	People served will obtain employment or self-employment of their choosing.
Key Goal #4	Health - Californians with developmental disabilities served by Heartland will have control, choice, and flexibility over their health status.
QI-1:	People served by Heartland will have access to educational training opportunities so that they can achieve optimal health through physical activity, healthy lifestyles, proper nutrition, and obesity prevention.
Key Goal #5	Housing - Californians with developmental disabilities served by Heartland will have access to affordable housing that provides control, choice, and flexibility regarding where and whom they live.
QI-1:	Heartland will create 1 duplex apartment complex to be available for persons with developmental disabilities.
Key Goal #6	Quality Assurance - Advance the rights of individuals with developmental disabilities to exercise self-advocacy and self-determination.
QI-1:	People residing in Madera and Mariposa counties will have access to participating in the local People First Chapter.
Key Goal #7	Recreation - Californians with developmental disabilities served by Heartland will have full access to and inclusion in community social and recreational programs.
QI-1:	People served by Heartland will have access to and participate in community social and recreational opportunities of their own choosing.
Key Goal #8	Transportation - Californians with developmental disabilities served by Heartland will have access to transportation that enables full participation in all aspects of community life.
QI-1:	Heartland support staff will identify transportation barriers that limit persons served from full participation in all aspects of community life, including obstacles presented by parents, and service providers, and public transportation and then develop an action plan to remove identified barriers.
Key Goal #9	Accountability - Heartland Opportunity Center will comply with applicable state and federal laws, regulations and contracts
QI-1:	Ensure that Public funds are expended cost-effectively and appropriately by all its programs and services.

Strategic Plan Implementation

While establishing a strategic plan is a major step toward achieving the vision and
mission of Heartland Opportunity Center, implementation is the key to organizational success. It is imperative, therefore, that the CEO of Heartland takes the necessary steps to attain the goals and objectives contained in this Strategic Plan.

Annual Action Plans

Heartland’s revised Outcome Measurement System (OMS) incorporates an action plan for each goal and quality indicator of the Strategic Plan. The action plan includes what steps will be taken on an annual basis to ensure successful implementation of each goal. The “action steps” have been assigned to appropriate Program Directors, Manager, and Staff. All objectives began implementation in September 2007 of Fiscal Year 2007-2008. The first management report is due after the close of the 2007-2008 program year, as outlined in our revised Outcome Measurement System.

The management report will assess progress in obtaining desired, annual, outcomes and will be reported to the Board of Directors.