Reports - Regional: Regina

2006/07 Submitted by Louise Handford, Excutive Director

Direct Service:
Clients will experience improved mental health. We assist persons managing lives with mental health problems in their recovery process, moving individuals from withdrawal to engagement and active participation in life.

The Regina Branch provides opportunity for:
1) Rehab/Crisis Support and community integration
2) Assessment, Training, Education and Employment
3) Awareness and Administration

This is accomplished with the following staff:
Executive Director
     - .75 Director of Finance
     - 2 Team Lead MHW II
     - Life Skill Coach MHW I
     - Vocational Counselor MHW I
     - 2.5 MHW I
     - 3 Program Assistants

Programs:
Vocational Programs consist of:
Vocational Counselor, Life Skill Coach, Housekeeping Service, Clerical/Administration, Food Service, Janitorial Contracts and Work Crews.

This year the Vocational program was reviewed to improve our service delivery and trainee outcomes, with new tools and processes being developed. We are looking forward to their implementation.
     - Reduced staff position by .5 in last quarter
     - 95 persons participated in employment options.

Social Rehabilitation consists of:
Structured and non-structured activity and Drop in services. The focus is on community integration, problem-solving support, group work and creative and alternate therapies.
     - Membership of 420
     - Daily attendance of 120
     - 380 meals a week
     - 28 Structured programs/month

Awareness:
The Branch is a resource to educational institutes in providing leadership, training and professional development for Student practicum’s. Involvement this year included students from Social Work (2), Nursing (2) and 1 Occupational Therapist.

We work in collaboration with the community in the promotions of mental health awareness and partner with a variety of groups. Examples include City of Regina Access Sub-Committee, Mental Health and Housing, Population Health Promotions, Approved Home Operators, Western Rehab Conference, Phoenix Residential Society, Schizophrenia Society, YWCA, Salvation Army and the City Police to name a few.

Organizational Development: To ensure that the Branch’s activity delivers value to its client members and customers.

Staffing: To provide service delivery with motivated, skilled and trained staff in a positive working environment.

Human Resource management has been a priority as the Branch has experienced a 40 percent change in staff. Staff training has been provided: ASIST, Mental Health Conferences, RQHR in-services, Eli Lilly’s Wellness Model, FASD & Outcome measures.

Policy and procedure continue to be developed to ensure effective programming and instruction. Updates have been made to the following policies; Confidentiality, Computer usage, Harassment, Discipline Process & Code of Conduct. To develop stable work dynamics the staff participated in a Planning day held in December and a Staff Development day held in May.

To communicate effectively within the agency and to the community.
The Branch has collaborated with the community in the promotion of World Mental Health Day, Mental Illness Awareness Week and Day of Caring.
Internal processes focused on computer upgrades and replacement, networking, internet access for all staff and an agency back up system.

Governance: To achieve stable and effective Board leadership
This year realized a large growth in Board leadership. With the assistance of a Consultant, the Board is developing a framework of Governance, setting a Strategic direction, and adapting the Bylaws to reflect this direction.

The Audit and Finance Committee have implemented changes that modernize Financial Reporting.

Resources/Assets:
A stable organization provides its client members an improved quality of life as a result of effective management.

The Branch addressed building upgrades and renovations with a grant of over $200,00.00 from the National Homelessness Initiative Program. This made it possible to install a new entrance with door buzzer, renovate three bathrooms, build a new kitchen with laundry facility, install new flooring on the main level and a new energy efficient heating and cooling system.

The Branch continues to work on building stable funding resources. We have contracts with the Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region, United Way, EAPD Employment Assistance for Persons with Disabilities, Department of Community Resources and City of Regina.
Fundraising highlights included a golf tournament, and partnerships with the East View Rotarians and CLARICA.

Specific focus and strategy with our Membership Drive has demonstrated an increase in Branch memberships.

The Branch is grateful to the many volunteers, donations and
gifts in kind that make our service delivery possible.

Reach us at:

Regina Branch
Louise Handford, Executive Director
1810 Albert Street
Regina, SK S4P 2S8
Phone 306 525-9543, Fax 306 525-9579
e-mail cmha.regina@sasktel.net