The Operational Sustainability Process

 

The process includes providing a sustainability initiative for maintaining the program for the next 5 years.

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Context

In the year coming years, the aim of SMEC is to have a greater acceptance and full inclusion by the community. The program will be established itself with improved services, support, products, and more prevalent and helpful technology which will add to the quality of life for children and adults. At the same time, because of population growth, the aging of the population, and higher incidences of multiple diagnoses, the needs of people with disparities, the impact of low socioeconomic conditions, the heightened probability of additional state security measures, the impact on families and children specifically will be extensive and varied.

 

While significant strides will have been made to improve the overall conditions of the environment and economic conditions, the control of the resources and decisions about who provides them will become extremely competitive without the help and support of collaborative partners. SMEC Strategic Plan is a tool for our partners and potential funders to understand our direction for present and future endeavors.

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Role and Program Services

SMEC is the leader in identifying needs and bringing together all

kinds of resources and services for all children and adults and their families to support full long-term community inclusion and participation.

 

Specifically, SMEC:

• Will lead a collaboration of providers and community organizations and programs

In the county and from surrounding areas, as appropriate, in identifying needs and gaps in services;

• Directly provide cutting-edge, model services that meet identified gaps. St. Mark Educational Center may not provide all comprehensive services itself—it is our intention to house at our facility all necessary resources and become a Community Resource Center of information. Collaborates with and makes referrals to other high-quality service providers;

• Leads many advocacy efforts to ensure services are provided either by St. Mark Educational Center or other providers.

• Facilitates financial planning to help create long-term financial security for the organization and clients.

 

 

• Funding Sources

• While government contracts are and may still be a significant source of funding, SMEC will develop a robust and innovative fundraising program; gaining resources from businesses and private individuals.

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• SMEC introduces a new sharper image in its revised strategic plan. The plan reflects two dimensions that define the purposes of the organization and its intended contributions to improving the lives of children and adults who are served through its efforts. The two dimensions are:

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  • Achieving: ensuring that individuals have the right combination of supports and opportunities to experience their own individual potential.

  • Full community life; means the opportunity for every individual to actively participate with their family, friends, co-workers, and other valued relationships in creating a life that is joyful and fulfilled.

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• SMEC supports an individual from birth, adulthood, senior years, and end of life.

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Enhanced Merits of Operation

Enhanced merits of operation are added components of operation procedures that contribute to the fundamental values or ideals at the heart of the

organization. They articulate ideals that the organization aspires to hold itself

accountable for and offer guidance about how the organization behaves in carrying out

its mission.

The following merits influence the culture and public image of St. Mark Educational Center as an effective community-based organization serving a wide variety of individuals and families.

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• Responsiveness – SMEC finds solutions that meet the needs and preferences of people through direct service or referrals to other providers.

• Respectfulness – SMEC honors the choices of all and encourages each person to take control of his/her own life, and we help to shape these choices based on what is important to the person. We respect the role that families have in helping to shape these choices as well.

• Individualized Support – SMEC knows that people’s needs vary significantly and can change over time; we seek to understand the individual client and co-create the right supports for each person’s development.

• Diversity – SMEC understands that people have disabilities whether mental or physical, seen or unseen. These disabilities are part of all races, ethnicities, and religions; we seek to assist as many people as our financial resources can maintain regardless of their physical or mental challenges.

• Integrity and Accountability – SMEC has the highest level of integrity in its administrative, service, and outreach activities; we tie these activities directly to our mission, and we maintain and report our records accurately. 

• State of the Art Practices –SMEC aims for excellent, high quality, state-of-the-art approaches that all can count on to be there in time of need.

• Partnerships – SMEC works with a wide variety of partners and providers for quality service by all involved.

• Advocacy – SMEC educates the public and sponsors about the marginally disadvantaged for the long-term best’s interests of the client and the community.

• Financial Sustainability – SMEC believes its work as an advocate and service provider will be needed for many years into the future. Therefore, we strive to deliver on our mission with thoughtful strategic choices that ensure we have sufficient financial resources to carry out our goals and objectives.

• Caring Attitude – SMEC demonstrates compassionate support and concern for individuals and their families. As part of this caring attitude, we educate and inform clients, families, vendors, and partners continuously of the progress of the organization and its developments. We do this in the entirety to include board members, staff, and volunteers.• People thrive when they make their own choice and for their own best interests. Our goal is to listen when people speak (including youth) and aid help them make realistic choices.

• • Everyone deserves the same opportunity to participate in their community, including equal access to transportation, education, jobs, medical care, recreation, and housing.

• • Engaging and participating in community life has a positive impact. In addition, by participating in their community’s people enrich their lives and make positive contributions.

• •  People with disabilities are valuable members of their communities. Put on webpage

• •  People’s health and safety are essential to effectively participate in their

• communities.

• •  Well-trained and motivated staff make a difference in the lives of people.

• • Supporting partners, their friends, and families in their own advocacy efforts will yield long term improvements in for the organization and its clients.

• • Supports and services are designed first and foremost for people with disparities. (e.g. victims of violence, abuse, at-risk, below educational average, etc.).

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• SMEC recognizes the importance of the family’s role in the development of individuals and the support that is needed throughout their life.

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                                   Strategic Goals and Objectives

 

Family and Life-skills

 

1. NutritionNutrition education food pantry

2. Educate on healthy and culturally relevant food

3. Participation in the Community Garden Program

a.  Fill in the gap for needed community services

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b.  Providing facility and computers for communication use for

      business, education, and social services

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c.   Build a network of providers

 

    3.      Adult education and workplace provider

 

                 a.    Assistance to acquire High School Diploma and                                 GED

 

                 b.    Coaching on careers option and employment

 

                 c.    Workforce training with companies and 

                         manufacturers

 

                 d.    Vocational and parental skills training

 

                 e.    Provide clothes closet for job seekers and court

                         appointment

 

   4.       Family Skills

 

                 a.    Parental Training

                  

                 b.    Infant Mortality

             

Health and Wellness Services

 

      1.  Wellness Components

 

               a.    Diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and heart disease

                       education and management

 

               b.   Physical exercise

 

 

               c.   Community Resource Center for health providers

                      (state health dept., clinics, hospitals, insurance

                      agencies)

    

     2.  Activities

 

               a.   Health Fairs

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               b.   Mini Clinics

 

               c.   Seminars

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 Youth Programs                

 

    1.    After school programs

 

           a.     Math and Reading Programs

 

           b.     Vocational training     

 

           c.      Performance arts programs

 

           d       Academic improvement

 

           e.     Tutoring Program    

 

  2.   Gang Intervention Program

 

           a.      Safe space environment

 

           b.     Mentoring Program

 

           c.     Case Management

 

Economic Development

 

   1.      Financial Literacy

 

             a.    Free tax-preparation program (partnership providers)

 

             b.    Budgeting Planning for Families

 

 2.       Business Management programs (provider training)

 

             a.    Business development programs

 

             b.    Understanding Marketing

 

 

 

The center's growth has led it to form partnerships with a wide range of community organizations and stakeholders, from governmental entities such as the City of Ft. Pierce’s Urban Redevelopment Department and a stakeholder akin to Thomas Produce and Agriculture Company.

 

The implementation of the revised strategic plan will assist in streamlining the processes, programs, and services.

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