We have a lot of big goals for our future as an organization, and we know that setting them is one thing, achieving them is another.

Throughout the Strategic Plan period, we’ll be reporting back to you on how we’re doing, where we are at, and where we still need to go to uphold the promises we’ve made to you. Below you can see where we currently stand with the objectives we have put in place.

Our goal for Missouri is to expand our services, form partnerships, and broaden our funding to meet the needs of people with disabilities throughout the state. Here is how we are doing on the three goals we have established:

Home Health Program

 
 

Goal: Launch a Health Home Program in Missouri.

Progress Update: During FY24, Easterseals worked to launch Health Home Services. Start-up funds for this program were received in May of 2024. During the first year of the Strategic Plan, we have hired and onboarded all Easterseals positions for this program. Our partner, Compass, continues to hire the nurses required for this program to reach ratio numbers. Beginning July 1, 2024, mandatory training provided by the Missouri Department of Mental Health and Behavioral Health Council for the program began in July. Easterseals received the first list of enrolled for quarter one of FY25 which included nearly 4,000 individuals. Services to these individuals began July 1, 2024.

 

Crisis Residential Service

 

Goal: Launch a Crisis Residential Service in Missouri.

Progress Update: In year one of the Strategic Plan, Easterseals has laid the foundation and launched the Crisis Services and Treatment Program. During this time, the pay-for-reporting contact is under development. The program manager, BCBA, and supervisor positions have been filled. Leasing agreements with real estate partners are nearing completion. We have also established a formal partnership with SWOPE Health to provide psychiatric and medical support. While 18 individuals were not supported by the intended date, the foundation of this program has been put in place to begin supporting individuals in FY25.

 

Technology Enabled Support Program

 

Goal: Launch a fully functioning Technology Enabled Support Program in Missouri

Progress Update: TDuring the first year of the Strategic Plan, we were able to support 26 individuals in with Technology Enabled Support Services. In southwest Missouri and the St. Louis region, eight individuals are currently utilizing Technology Enabled Support in their homes. An additional 15 individuals have completed the assessment for supports and are pending implementation of the supports for FY25. In our Employment Program, 18 new individuals have utilized technology in their program to enhance their career goals.

 

Much like our goal for Missouri, in Kansas we aim to expand and introduce services, form new partnerships, and diversify funding to meet the needs of people with disabilities in the state, many of which don’t have access to disability programs. Here is how we’re doing on the two goals we’ve established for Kansas:

Autism Program Expansion Strategy

 

Goal: Launch and Autism Program Expansion Strategy in Kansas.

Progress Update: In April, Easterseals hosted our first ever Autism Conference in the state. We had four dedicated Easterseals team members provide their expertise to a sold out crowd of parents, educators, and community partners. The conference introduced Caregiver Skills Training to the state, with three families currently receiving services. The second annual Kansas Conference is now being planned. Applied Behavior Analysis Services are currently being marketed in Johnson and Wyandott counties for private insurance. We are currently engaging 118 individuals and families across the state of Kansas.

 

Essential Funding Contracts

 

Goal: Secure Essential Funding Contracts in Kansas.

Progress Update: During Year One, we began contracting with a vendor to obtain data related to insurance rates for providers in Missouri and Kansas and have received the initial data reports for analysis. After an unsatisfactory meeting with Anthem, we are working to determine if a vendor is needed for contract renegotiations. We have also completed introductory meetings with several funders in Kansas and are working to submit applications to become a network provider.

 

Technology will be used throughout our organization to enhance our programs and encourage innovation and growth. Here is how we’re doing on the two goals we’ve established for Technology:

Electronic Health Record

 

Goal: Launch a fully-functioning Electronic Health Record.

Progress Update: During Year One, we have created the framework for implementing the new electronic health record. During this meeting, a team has been established and meets weekly with programmatic and administrative staff. This time has been used to conduct an inventory of our current programmatic workflows and forms, system configuration, and data migration work. The primary focus during this time period has been conducting an inventory of our current programmatic workflows and forms along with system configuration and data migration work. We are currently in our implementation process with Core Solutions, the EHR vendor.

 

Technology Enabled Support Infrastructure

 

Goal: Build an infrastructure for Technology Enabled Supports across all program areas.

Progress Update: Year One was used to work on the infrastructure of introducing Technology Enabled Supports across all program areas. We established a contract with GoodLife to assist in providing these services, established the demo site, posted the director role for this program, and began training the core team on iLink, one of the systems used for these supports, beginning August 2024.