Message from the Executive Director – Fiscal Year 2008

Fiscal year 2008 could best be described as a year of action and diversity for Family Counseling Center, Inc.

Results of the previous year’s fiscal audit required action to reduce expenses and increase revenues where possible.   Decisions were made to phase out some programs that were providing much needed client services, but which were a negative drain on the agency’s budget.  Reorganization, reallocation and not filling positions vacated by resignation, termination and retirement became a priority in an effort to bring the agency in line with a positive balance of income over expenses.

Individual contracts for services were reduced where applicable.  The Administrative Division Director position was abolished and job tasks divided and distributed to other existing staff.  “The Haven” a program to provide housing, counseling, support and substance abuse treatment for the homeless was phased out.  As the state of Illinois continued to increase the “fee for service” concept of billing, necessary action was taken to ensure designated staff met their billing requirements.  The state of Illinois Department of Human Services redirection and interruption of rules and regulations established by the federal government resulted in the loss of the Assertive Community Treatment program and the implementation of the Community Support program which required the necessity to reduce the number of staff positions and the downward reallocation of a position.  Additional action was implemented by the agency to reduce commodity, travel, equipment and training expenses.

The much-anticipated Grand Opening of the $6.2 million – Autumn Ridge Supportive Living Facility in Vienna was a major move of diversity on the agency’s part.  The grand opening held on April 15, 2008 acknowledged the contribution the facility would be to individuals and families throughout our region.  Forty-six apartments for seniors 65 and older who had some need of assistance was a major venture the Board of Directors unanimously agreed on.  It is the first time in the agency’s history that such a bold and innovative goal had been established and met.  Meeting the needs of a community while diversifying the agency’s income is a plan that has brought both praise and recognition to the agency.
 
Economic and state budget woes create emotional and challenging times for each of us.  Facing these challenges and making necessary decisions is not an easy task.  It has required significant commitment and dedication to getting the job done.  I am very proud of the employees of this agency who can and do step up to do their part.  The willingness of our employees to do more sometimes with less speaks volumes about who they are and how they care for others as they make a difference in the lives of their clients/consumers.

Individual performance is most often the result of good leadership.  The Family Counseling Center, Inc. Board of Directors is to be commended for their foresight and leadership in moving this agency forward during these difficult economic and changing times.  Without such leadership we would not have ventured into new frontiers.  Each step we build takes us to a new level and opens the door with new possibilities, while all the time expanding our ability of “Helping others help themselves.”

Larry W. Mizell
Executive Director

Message from the Executive Director – Fiscal Year 2007

Message from the Executive Director

Fiscal year 2007 will be reflected on as a defining year for Family Counseling Center, Inc. and its future successes.  With the foresight of the Tri-County Board of Directors to diversify the reliability of generating revenue as we have known it, the agency has taken some bold and challenging action investing in itself to grow and remain fiscally sound in the future.  This fiscal year has been pegged with notices of program and funding changes, decreasing grant funding and moving more toward fee for service.  Projecting potential loss of revenues with these changes drives us to take action for our future.

We are striving to maximize the best use of our assets, being proactive in reducing expenses, all the while trying to put our employees and clients first today and maintaining the agency’s goals of long-term growth into the future.  In March, the agency successfully achieved a three year reaccreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF).

The closed file storage building was completed, and all closed client files from the various facilities in Hardin, Pope and Johnson counties were transferred in January to the new facility, alphabetized and placed on appropriate shelving.  This action and this facility has significantly enabled us to reduce the agency’s risk and liability in the requirement of appropriately maintaining closed client files indefinitely.

When the new Hardin County office renovation was completed and staff were assigned to the facility, we immediately saw a steady increase in clients served and services offered to the citizens of Hardin County.  In FY06, we served 157 clients out of the old Hardin County office.  In FY07, we served 192 clients out of the new office.  The increased number of employees working out of the new Hardin County office has been a positive presence and has also lead to the establishment of monthly multi-agency meetings in Hardin County with representatives from local schools, Regional Office of Education, Probation, Parole, Law Enforcement, States Attorney’s office and Family Counseling Center employees, who, with appropriate releases, are able to discuss clients we have in common and serve as a resource “think tank” to work together as a team in effectively treating and guiding those clients.

The culmination of 2½ years of work in seeking approval and funding to build a 46-apartment Supportive Living Facility in Vienna became a reality.  Following a “very cold” January groundbreaking ceremony; construction began on the Autumn Ridge Supportive Living Facility.  Architechniques of Herrin provided the expertise in updating the blue prints our agency purchased from Brookstone Estates of Effingham to ensure current standards on accessibility and handicap compliance were met.  Agency design changes and additions were also coordinate by Architechniques.  Initial funding to determine feasibility, surveying costs, etc., was provided by SIDEZ; grant funding was provided by LISC of Chicago; and the construction funding was provided by Peoples National Bank of Harrisburg and USDA Rural Development of Harrisburg.  Evard/Strang of Marion was awarded the general contractor bid.  Construction began in early spring and has progressed steadily in a positive manner.  Completion and opening of the Autumn Ridge facility is anticipated by February 2008.

An opportunity to purchase a building in Vienna was capitalized on with the vision to move the Johnson County Day Training program allowing for expansion to receive new clients and generating more revenue.  At the same time relocating JCDT will resolve a very critical need to provide behavioral health counselors and therapists’ additional office and group room space.  This will result in a better work environment, enhanced confidentiality and coordination of services for our clients.  Plans are in progress to renovate the newly purchased facility and relocate the programs and services in FY08.

We must continually evaluate the time and cost to continue to grow.  Some will say we cannot afford to invest in growing, while others will say we cannot afford not to!  We must make the best decisions we can when opportunities present themselves and work diligently to make those decisions be the right decisions, while never forgetting to evaluate our direction as things change and new information becomes available.

Larry W. Mizell
Executive Director

Message from the Executive Director – November 2006

A wise old Indian once said, “When I step my foot upon this earth I leave an impression. Sometimes it is shallow, and sometimes it is deep, depending on how solid the land and the load that I carry.” Tri-County Board Member Wanda Rankin passed away on May 29, 2006, but left a deep impression upon this earth. Wanda served for over 15 years as a committed and loyal board member for this agency, all the while carrying a heavy personal load for many of those years. We will miss her strength and wisdom, all the while knowing her contributions will continue to live on in this agency and with all who knew her.

Family Counseling Center, Inc. saw a change in the Behavioral Health Division Director and learned of the resignation of the Developmental Services Division Director this fiscal year. Such losses of knowledge, commitment and experience can be difficult, however the Board of Directors looked upon these challenges as an opportunity to build upon the agency’s strengths and to gain energy to move forward. The agency continued to serve our clients/consumers/stakeholders with continued quality programs and counseling services. A renewed emphasis was placed on reducing employee turnover.

For the first time in several years the employee health insurance rate increase was minimal, allowing the agency to select a plan that provided more coverage with less deductions. Since 1999, the individual employee health insurance cost has risen from $184.23 per month per employee to $320.69 per month per employee. This is a 74% increase over a 7-year period, amounting to a $136.43 additional monthly cost per employee and equaling $153,899.04 additional annual cost for the fiscal year in comparison to FY99 health care costs. This increase in cost contributes significantly to the annual budgeting process and affects the agency’s ability to commit additional funds in other areas.

Fiscal Year 2006 has been a year of continued growth for the agency. The Cache River House settled into a smooth operation, and the agency had the opportunity to purchase a new office building in Elizabethtown. Construction began on a new closed file record storage building on agency owned property in Vienna, with completion expected in early fiscal year 2007. Progress continued during fiscal year 2006 in the design, planning and funding for the Autumn Ridge Supportive Living Facility project.

As we venture into Fiscal Year 2007, we look forward with anticipation toward adding needed office space for the Johnson County Developmental Disabilities’ day training program, the youth counselor’s offices and the Psychosocial Rehabilitation program; the excitement of the CARF survey reaccreditation process, and beginning construction on the Autumn Ridge Supportive Living Facility.

Family Counseling Center, Inc. is going and growing, thanks to the commitment of our employees and the foresight of our much-appreciated Board of Directors.

Larry W. Mizell
Executive Director

Message from the Executive Director – November 2005

Enjoyment best describes the start of fiscal year 2005. Family Counseling Center, Inc. saw revenues exceeding expenses in fiscal year 2004 by over $180,000. The agency happily invested available resources into employee salaries and benefits. After all it is our employees who do the good work that generates our income. Insurance premiums, workers compensation and operating expenses continue to be a costly challenge to managing our budget.

Much needed office space became a reality in our Vienna complex, when the building in front of our existing facility became available and owner Steve Shoemaker worked with us to forge a renting agreement. All adult mental health programs, substance abuse, clinical record storage, PSR, some support services and the administrative assistant in charge of personnel records now work out of that building. Youth mental health services, child welfare, support services, the psychiatrist, the psychologist, the homeless program and a workshop for the developmentally disabled continue to remain in the previous existing Vienna facility.

Family Counseling Center has continued to work since 2003 on the possibility of building a supported living facility in Johnson County. On March 28, 2005 we made a presentation before the Illinois Department of Health and Family Services (IDHFS) where we received certification to build and operate a supportive living facility. The certification approval has brought the agency many challenges in working to complete funding arrangements and design finalization. This project would not have been possible without a $45,000 grant from the Southernmost Illinois Delta Empowerment Zone (SIDEZ), which allowed the agency to conduct a research market feasibility study and complete initial site surveying and environmental studies. Support letters from the community were one of the requirements in meeting our goal for successful certification from IDHFS.

Community support for any organization or business is a significant key to success. Family Counseling Center has worked hard over the past 30 years to build creditability in the communities we serve. We recognize today that the agency is receiving much credit and assistance in return. It is rewarding to be received so positively by community citizens when needing letters of support, attendance at community meetings and media announcements for our agency. That positive feeling is reason and cause for all of us at Family Counseling Center to work harder and continue to do the little extra to get the job done. Realizing that how we respond, act, look and are perceived as professionals in the community helps determine the reputation of our agency.

We all have a place in our community. We appreciate that our agency is recognized as an integral part of the community. For that we are grateful.

Larry W. Mizell,
Executive Director

Message from the Executive Director – November 2004

Family Counseling Center, Inc., celebrated 30 years of service to Hardin, Pope and Johnson counties as the fiscal year 2004 came to a close. The continuous history of success that our agency has experienced is no small feat. There are many individuals who deserve credit and recognition for the conception, implementation and continued growth in serving individuals in need. Much of that accomplishment must also be credited to the agency’s mottos of “Helping Others Help Themselves” and “Where there is a need, we will find a way!”

The original Tri-County Board of Directors in 1974, consisted of Mildred McCormick – President, Robert Ross and Paula Richardson from Pope County, Larry Steward and Charles Cox from Hardin County; and William J. Worrell, Jean Pippins and Rev. Herb Bierman fro Johnson County. Their insight and dedication provided the initial foundation on which the agency now stands and continues to grow. Previous Executive Directors B Robert Bianco, Theo Wells and Sharon Edwards have all made significant contributions to the stability and success of Family Counseling Center as have the various Tri-County Board members, who have volunteered their valuable time in serving.

The annual budget has grown from a 1974 annual budget of $61,000, providing one program during the formation of the agency, to a $4.3 million operating budget, providing 32 programs in the agency=s 30th year. $2.8 million of the 30th year budget was for employee payroll and fringe benefits.

The current Tri-County Board members are Martin Humm, Darlene Hamilton and Pat German from Hardin County; Arlin Rhoads – President, Wanda Rankin – Secretary/Treasurer and James Lowery from Pope County; and Bruce Jeffress – Vice President, Jack Jones and Judy Tippy from Johnson County.

Policy, direction and leadership have provided the base, while the employees have been the real key in making the difference. Family Counseling Center, Inc., has excelled in providing quality service to the clients and consumers over the years because of committed employees.

When you add it all up, all of the dedicated people involved have contributed as a team for 30 years. However, our work is not done! New challenges and needs present themselves daily as our work continues to become increasingly more and more renowned. We recognize the progress and help which has been provided in the community. We take pride in knowing our clients, whom we have helped, improved their quality of life. We also acknowledge that the need to help others is still out there. Together we will travel the road successfully in to the future.

Thank you to each and every one who has contributed to the success of the agency and to “helping others help themselves!”

Larry W. Mizell
Executive Director

Message from the Executive Director – November 2003

The fiscal year 2003 annual report carries forward the tradition of Family Counseling Center, Inc. services and commitment to the communities we serve. It was another tough and challenging year in funding, with expenses exceeding revenues by over $56,000. Some of the losses were a direct result of the progressive investment the agency made in it=s future. We opened the Garden Apartments on December 1st, with all 8 apartments being occupied. Increases in employee health insurance by over $29,500 with reduced benefits and an increase in liability insurance has contributed significantly to the deficit.

We have continued to aggressively pursue 811 – federal funding to build a 14 unit apartment complex for the developmentally disabled, as well as a residential home for 6 developmentally disabled clients. In addition, we are looking into the feasibility of building and managing an Assisted Living/Supported Housing facility. We have continued to work on the design and funding for a new office building in Johnson County.

It is our belief that positioning the agency during tough times for growth when the economy improves will be of benefit. In keeping with the shared vision that we are either growing or dying, we strive to continue to grow. All these efforts are for the purpose of two significant priorities. One is to generate revenues to continue to invest in our employees. The second, to continue to provide the most comprehensive seamless system of care to the clients and consumers of our catchment area.

As we take time in thought to reflect on the appreciation of what we have and that we live in a rural setting of quiet and beauty, let us not become complacent. We felt and saw the destruction of the tornados in the spring. We know of those fighting in the armed services to preserve the freedoms and choices we have. We must remember what they as individuals and their families sacrifice for all of us. We are here to help those in need. While we can be lulled into complacency, we have to reach out, seek and notice circumstances where we are needed. After all, this is what we’re about and this is what we do!!

Our employees have a strong and successful sense of who they are and an understanding of what they do. They take those they serve to visit wonderful places they might otherwise miss. We often bring the gift of living life to its fullest within the limitations of our being. People experience in their everyday lives the drama of life. It is our mission to bring balance, inspire and motivate. Stability and understanding form the foundation of becoming healthier happier people.

It was in 1974 that Family Counseling Center, Inc. was conceived. From its infancy of a very few employees and only a few clients served, it has grown to the maturity of today. In 2004 we will celebrate our agency’s 30th year of service. Join me in welcoming 2004 as a special time for what we do and for our agency!

Larry W. Mizell
Executive Director

Message from the Executive Director – November 2002

The fiscal year 2002 annual report is a product of the accomplishments of Family Counseling Center staff. We play an integral role in the delivery of services to Johnson, Pope and Hardin Counties, and some specialized services to the 7 southern most counties of Illinois. Thanks to a hard working committed staff, we do a commendable job of meeting the challenges and needs of the community day to day.

This year brought emphasis to my philosophy of life. At a final exam in experimental psychology while in college, we were given the task to write our philosophy of life. Little did I realize how often I would draw upon what I wrote that day. It was, Life is a continuous process of change and a learning experience; how we adapt to that change or affect that change determines our future.

After much delay because of rainy weather, we finally broke ground on the new Garden Apartments in Vienna. The 8 unit apartments are scheduled to open in November, 2002. This is a new venture for our agency, which will provide many of our consumers with the avenue to experience a new level of independent living. We are fortunate and proud to have brought this dream to reality. At a time when there was forecast of a possible recession, the world was shocked as we witnessed the horror of the tragedy of September 11th terrorist attacks on New York City and Washington, D.C. This resulted in state revenues tumbling downward, funding cuts and threats of more significant cuts, increased insurance premiums, loss of programs and tight fiscal times. The agency was required to borrow from capital reserves to meet payroll and to pay bills, all due to the state=s cash flow problems and the lengthy period between billing for and receipt of state payments. Reduction of funding, delays in receiving payments, and loss of programs also resulted in establishment of waiting lists of persons in need of services. The cost-of-doing-business increase from the state was cancelled, resulting in no funds to grant employees wage increases.

All this brought us new challenges and demands. Employee turnover was reduced from past years, employees pulled together and it soon became apparent what a wonderful staff we have! We went to Springfield and lobbied alongside our consumers, their parents and friends. We sent and helped consumers send cards, letters and make phone calls to state legislators and the governor. We spoke to the media; we affected change in policy and we adapted to the change. We are a better agency today having learned many of our strengths and weaknesses. We will be stronger tomorrow because of this experience. And yet, we realize that there are more tough times before us. Together, we will continue to prepare and work to position our agency for the changes that lie ahead. We will seek opportunities and strive for the best services possible for those we serve.

The Tri-County Board of Directors, employees, consultants, stakeholders, clients and consumers make up a winning team, a team with whom I am proud to be associated.

Larry W. Mizell
Executive Director

Message from the Executive Director – November 2001

I dedicate this message as a tribute to the employees, volunteers and Board of Directors of the Family Counseling Center, Inc.

This has been a very progressive year for our agency as we strive to become more automated. We’re moving toward completion of installation and programming to establish electronic communication within our agency. Functional benefits will be realized through information sharing, transfer of documents, data entry and interagency e-mail. The agency has continued to grow and demonstrate progress through land purchases for a new residential facility and a future office building complex.

The success and stature of Family Counseling Center, Inc. rests in the quality of our staff, their commitment and their input on how to improve on what we do. Their success is complimented by equally caring and committed volunteers and members of our Tri-County Board of Directors. The respect and reputation of our agency is because of each of you, what you do, how you do it and why you do it.

The consumers, clients and stakeholders we serve create the challenges we face to provide a seamless service system for all we serve, for all their needs in mental health, workshop activities, housing, foster care and counseling.

My thanks to each of you, for who you are, what you stand for and for your commitment in helping others to help themselves.

Larry W. Mizell
Executive Director