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Executive Director's Corner

Happy Holidays and Happy New Year! As we embark on a new decade, I wish you and all your loved ones a blessed and prosperous 2010!

As we think of what may lay ahead for Little City in 2010, and how we prepared for the new decade in years past, I find comfort in knowing that Little City leadership has the steadfast commitment and foresight to assure our future success and sustainability.

I am sure that you have all heard of the Strategic Plan and wondered how it would actually change Little City. I am pleased to update you with our status thus far. Within the comprehensive plan we have identified new program priorities and established a new service model.

The Strategic Plan provides a blueprint for our future direction and the new service model for the children and adults who receive our services.

Our New Strategic Direction shifts away from an “anything to anyone” service provider to a focused and specialized human service provider. The strategic goals for Little City are as follows:

Goal 1 - Little City will be a leading community facilitator and partner in the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities in the Chicagoland area.

Goal 2 - Little City will be uniquely qualified in the Chicago region to provide focused programs and services, thereby acquiring and retaining a distinctive competence over other service providers.

Goal 3 - Little City will be recognized as a practicing leader of excellence in the nation, with at least one area of specialization that attracts national research, dialogue and investment no later than the end of 2017.

Goal 4 - Little City will achieve financial sustainability.

Our New Service Model will create a new relationship between the children’s (youth) and adults’ operating units. Previously, children (youth) entered LCF with an “unspoken” expectation that they would receive lifespan care (care until death). However, moving forward, the guaranteed transition and placement of children into our adult residential and vocational services will not take place automatically.

Rather, Little City staff will assess each individual’s needs and life goals, and together with each family, we will determine the most appropriate agency to best meet each individual’s needs. (The adult unit at Little City will be unable to accommodate individuals with intensive support needs). Please keep in mind that at all times, Little City will ensure that the transition planning takes place responsibly with care and dignity for all those involved.

Our New Service Model will be structured as follows so that we are best aligned with our strategic direction:

Children’s Operating Unit

• Little City will provide programs, services and supports to infants, children, adolescents and young adults (up to age 21) who have intellectual and developmental disabilities and who demonstrate pervasive deficits in adaptive behavior skills requiring intense levels of support.
• The core purpose of the youth operating unit is to increase children’s potential for lifelong productivity and success.

Adult Operating Unit

• Little City will provide a concentrated array of programs and services to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities who have demonstrated limited or intermittent deficits in adaptive behavior skills and who require manageable support needs.
• The core purpose of the adults unit is to provide programs, services and support all targeted at helping adults become more independent, productive and integrated into the community.

Thank you for your continued support as we continue implementation of Little City’s Strategic Plan, which will ensure success, sustainability and first-class service for this new decade and the next 50 years.

Most respectfully yours,

Shawn E. Jeffers
Executive Director
Little City Foundation