Having just closed our 2006 fiscal year brings to mind thoughts of a few of the important accomplishments of the past 12 months at Devereux and a glimpse into our future. The outlook, as we round the bend just a few years before our 100th birthday, is bright - although significant challenges remain. The developing war in the Middle East, events in Iraq and Afghanistan, the large, long-term structural deficit of the Federal government, and the large Federal trade imbalance all suggest a decreasing willingness and ability of the Federal government to fund human services adequately over the coming years. A separate issue, but related to the pressure on the Federal budget, is a strong, broad effort by the Federal government to reduce future Federal Medicaid expenditures through aggressive auditing of state programs. These issues are daunting challenges, but our work must be a very high priority in a nation that often acknowledges the critical need but under-funds solutions.

On a more local level in Devereux communities across the country, several difficult operational situations were managed very effectively. Most notable were the hurricane evacuation in Texas, the destruction of our New Jersey administrative offices due to fire, and the placement of almost 80 California clients because of the closure of our California children’s MR/DD programs. Devereux staffs are to be commended as all three situations shared a common, critical element: well organized corporate support that helped a Center remain focused on the clients’ needs despite significant administrative and logistic challenges.

Hurricane Rita forced Devereux to coordinate the move of about 100 clients, and a similar number of staff, half-way across the State of Texas under emergency conditions. Devereux staff had to sustain programs for several days in a much different, more open, setting, transport everyone back to campus, and maintain strong communications with families and friends of clients and staff. All of this was done successfully and without major incident.

When the leased New Jersey administrative offices burned to the ground in June, there was no disruption in clients’ programs because of a good disaster plan and exceptional coordination between the New Jersey leadership and the corporate information resources team. All electronic files had been appropriately backed up off-site the night before, so the business recovery was very smoothly executed.

Over the last three months of fiscal 2006, Devereux closed two programs in Santa Barbara, the most difficult and upsetting challenge that we faced. Despite the disappointment and distress that all of us feel about the necessity for this to occur, our ability to support our clients, their families, and our staff through this closure is a measure of our worth as an organization. I am very proud of the team of staff from California, corporate, and other Devereux centers that oversaw this transition.

Although we face many external challenges, we enter fiscal 2007 with very positive momentum. Our new strategic plan provides an achievable road map for long-term success. The Devereux Philosophy of Care is positively impacting the quality of our programs, our balance sheet is the strongest it has ever been, and we are making a difference in thousands of lives every day.

Earlier this week I met with a group of Devereux staff to get their thoughts about the creation of a new mission statement for Devereux. I have to admit I was initially surprised at the interest everyone showed and their eagerness to participate. As the discussion developed, the reason for everyone’s enthusiasm was clear - we are all so proud of the incredibly important mission of Devereux and want everyone to share our passion for this life-changing work. It doesn’t get any better than that!