2012
annual report
our mission
Inspired by hope in the individual’s potential
to recover, Reconnect works collaboratively
with adults experiencing serious mental
illness to reach their goals and improve
their quality of life.
who we serve
We serve men and women, 16 and over, who have a serious
mental illness. We also work with clients who, in addition to
their mental illness, have co-occurring challenges
(such as developmental disability or substance use).
board of directors
The Board of Directors is comprised of
consumers, family members, mental health
professionals and interested community
members.
2011/2012
board of directors, staff & students
executive
president
Rick Arnone
vice-president & treasurer
Tammy Nunez
secretary
Carol Ferguson
member-at-large
Karen Brock
members
Antonella Apa
Leo Bisharat
Nancy Bradley
Peter Csefko
Janet Dickhout
Brian Shiller
Robin Grandison
Teya Greenberg
Yulia Gruzinsky
Arla Hamer
Susan Hamilton
Asgar (Nasser) Hanarah
Witcliffe Henry
Mike Hughes
Joseph Jackson
Shahida Jawaid
Jenany Jeyarajan
Dr. David Kantor
Hyonson Kim
Michelle Krieger
Bethel Lascano
Colleen Lelievre
Tanya Lico
Ken Lieu
Laura Lunetta
Fred Lwanga
Ken Lyons
Celia Mahabir
Tobie Marven
Liz Millette
Linda Montgomery
Riki Myre
Steven Neal
Michelle Neilson
Simon Nnaakirya
Maria Novielli
Iguehide Nungah
Keith Nunn
Lucy O’Brien
Philip Owusu
Darrell Patey
Azra (Jelena) Pejanovic
Libia Pelaez
Melinda Peters
Karen Poole
Elizabeth Protic-Kokic
Rajendra Ramnarine
Reza Rasouldnezhad
Maureen Richards
Leslie Robinson
Susan Semmens
Tara Shuster
Christopher Sidoro
Fely Sidoro
Nadia Silva
Rochelle Silva
Gurpreet Singh
Mitzie Smith
Jermaine Spence
Jasiel Stewart
Katherine Swartz
Mary Sworin-Wright
Elizabeth Taylor
Mike Tomkinson
Laticia Toonday
Cathy Traynor
Scott Trevithick
Alex Walter
Suzanne Webb
Stephanie Wolfert
Greg Wong
Nikki Woolley
James Yeoman
Moosa Yousefy
Cindy Zettas
Jezeka Makinz
Marylouise Manuel
Megan Medeiros
Anne Persaud
Valerie Reyes
Elena Sindiescu
staff
Mohamed Abudiab
Abigail Ali
Geoffrey Anyoti
Manjit Kaur Arora
Odessa Austin
Mohamed Badsha
Zhyra Baig
Leslie Ann Becker
Susan Becker
Lorraine Blondin
Mukul Bodiuzzamann
Craig Bolton
Evelyn Canas
Catherine Chen
Tara Cowan
Mary Jane Cripps
Jenny Da Silva
Jueth Davis-Roberts
Neta Gear
Faithlyn Fennell
Lisette Fernandez
Afia Frempong-Manso
Karen Gayle
students
Shanti Bent
Judy Davis Roberts
Taylor Fredericks
‘‘message
from the president & ceo
Reconnect’s priority in 2011/2012 was simple in concept and was the key
driver for every decision — the right service for more people provided in
a timely and efficient manner.
During the past year, Reconnect rigorously measured all our activities,
and realigned the delivery of services with best practices being
a minimum standard. In the words of Rudy Guilliani when he was
working to build a better New York, “What doesn’t get measured doesn’t
get done”. Reconnect is committed to providing the best quality service
for all of our clients and in a culture that demonstrates a “Generosity
of Spirit”. This means that Reconnect will continually measure our
outcomes, analyze data for effectiveness, and never compromise service
quality. Reconnect is grounded in the belief that the work we do is
worthy, is honourable and shapes the organizational climate.
We are especially proud to present an inspiring poem from one of our
members who has received support from Reconnect. Poem on page 12.
‘‘
‘‘
In order to realize our commitment to expand our capacity, to provide the
right service to each unique individual and to significantly reduce wait
times and wait lists, Reconnect had to change the way we conceptualized
and provided services.
We were all challenged to break away from existing paradigms and
embrace new models of service delivery. We strongly believed that we
could serve more people within our existing budget, maintain excellent
outcomes and remain true to our quality matrices. And, we did it!!
Service capacity increased by thirty six percent (36%), wait times were
reduced by eighty percent (80%), and client feedback indicated increased
satisfaction. Reconnect is proud of our accomplishments and our
ability to demonstrate meaningful accountability to the Toronto Central
(TC) LHIN and other funders. Reconnect has had a successful transition
to the TC LHIN and we look forward to the future.
Reconnect’s team of dedicated professionals accomplished much in
2011/2012. We would like to extend sincere thanks to our Board of Directors,
Management Team, Service Providers, Support Staff and Community and
Hospital Partners for embracing our vision of excellence for the people
we so proudly serve. In the coming year, we will continue to strive for
continued excellent care for all.
Mary Jane Cripps
C.E.O.
Rick Arnone
President
‘‘
2011/2012
highlights
Human Resources Information System
• We implemented the Quadrant Human Resources Information System (HRIS).
The system enables the convergence of all HR business processes electronically.
Concurrent Disorders
• Reconnect continues to co-lead the Central West LHIN Concurrent Disorder Network
and the Central West LHIN Concurrent Disorder Specialized Support Services.
• The West Toronto Human Services and Justice Coordinating Committee meetings are
hosted and led by Reconnect.
• Reconnect screened 127 individuals over a 9-month period using the GAIN Short
Screener. The GAIN is a tool to screen for co-morbid issues of substance use and
mental illness.
Toronto Hospital Emergency Department Diversion Project
• Reconnect launched the CATCH – Emergency Department pilot project at St Joseph’s
Hospital. CATCH-ED serves people who use Emergency Departments frequently
(defined as 5+ visits to a hospital site’s Emergency Department within a year), with at
least one of these visits having been for a mental health and/or addiction problem.
Acquired Brain Injury Pilot Project
• The Reconnect ACT Team is making significant gains with the Acquired Brain Injury
(ABI) pilot project. It is a partnership with CHIRS, a community-based ABI service
providing case management and outreach supports. The project provides cross training
for ACT/ABI workers, shared care for 5 individuals with ABI and serious mental illness,
screening for ABI within the ACT Team and is creating guidelines for the development
of future partnerships.
Ontario Common Assessment Of Need (ocan) and Integrated
Assessment Record (iar)
• The processes, guidelines and privacy management for the implementation
of the Ontario Common Assessment of Need (OCAN) and the Integrated
Assessment Record (IAR) electronic viewer have been fully implemented.
Employment Services
• Reconnect’s Employment Services continues to experience growth as it aims at
serving individuals wishing to join the competitive labour market. The program
has increased its employer bank and placement retention rates.
Toronto Central lhin Business Intelligence Project
• The Toronto Central Local Health Integration Network (TC LHIN) has identified
the need to enhance the current decision support capabilities to improve the key
functions of reporting, planning and system management, and has moved towards
implementing a Business Intelligence Solution. The Community Business
Intelligence (CBI) Project was undertaken in early 2012 to take the
TC LHIN to a higher level of data quality and reporting by Community
Sector services. This solution will strengthen the foundation for organizational,
sector and system planning and performance monitoring. Reconnect is
the lead on this project, and is engaged with the Community Mental Health,
Addictions and Community Support Service Sectors to develop business
intelligence capacity within the TC LHIN.
100 Lower Ossington Avenue Affordable Housing Project
• Reconnect, in partnership with Verdiroc Development Corporation and Greenwin
Properties, continues the collaboration on the affordable housing project at
100 Lower Ossington Avenue. This 179 unit apartment complex will house lowincome individuals, with a mix of Seniors, People with Disabilities and Newcomers.
Reconnect will provide on-site community development, information, referral
services and direct support. There will also be an on-site office for Reconnect to
provide meeting space for staff and clients.
Going Paperless
• We have digitized all client files and documents,
and are moving towards a fully electronic client
file management system.
Increased Service Volumes
& Decreased Wait Times
• Service capacity has been increased by 36%
over the previous fiscal year.
• Wait times have been reduced by 80%.
2012
highlights
recipients of years of service recognition 2011
10 years of service:
Liz Millette
Darrell Patey
5 years of service:
Tara Cowan
Jenny Da Silva
Celia Mahabir
Lucy O’Brien
Mukul Bodiuzzaman
Evelyn Canas
Robin Grandison
Jenany Jeyarajan
Iguehide Nungah
Susan Semmens
Laticia Toonday
Cathy Traynor
2 years of service:
Geoff Anyoti
Manjit Arora
Zhyra Baig
proposed slate of directors for 2012/2013
to serve a term of three years we welcome:
Rick Arnone
Antonella Apa
Nancy Bradley
Carol Ferguson
directors continuing their terms
two years remaining:
Leo Bisharat
one year remaining:
Janet Dickhout
Tammy Nunez
Karen Brock
Brian Shiller
2012
programs
case management
Mental Health & Justice Prevention
Case Management
Dual Diagnosis Case Management
Forensic Case Management
Mental Health and Justice Case Management
Seniors Case Management
Case Management
Assertive Community Treatment Team
Streets to Homes
residential support
Mental Health and Justice Short-Term
Crisis Bed
employment services
Reconnect to Work
programming services
Health Promotion Groups
Youth Community Choices For Success
‘‘ report
client council
Reconnect’s Client Council has had another exciting and productive year.
It has been wonderful to see new membership within the Council providing
valuable contributions and fresh ideas.
This year, the Council worked collaboratively with a Reconnect student
volunteer to re-write and revise our existing promotional materials. The
result was a beautiful and creative pamphlet, which outlines the roles,
responsibilities and vision of the Client Council and answers basic questions
about membership. These pamphlets were circulated at the Reconnect office
and in the community to make all Reconnect clients aware of this valuable
resource. Feedback about the pamphlets has been extremely positive, and
has yielded new membership and client interest in being part of the Council.
We thank the Council for their hard work on this very important project.
The Council has continued to be proactive in their fundraising efforts in order
to provide special events that all clients of Reconnect can take part in. We
had a successful Bake Sale in March 2012, which raised funds for 19 clients
to attend a movie outing in July. Those who participated reported having a
wonderful time! Another successful fundraiser this summer was our
Client Council Raffle, which raised $84 to be used for future planning of
special events. Thank you to all Reconnect clients and staff for purchasing
tickets and making it such a success!
Moving forward, the Council will be undergoing some re-structuring as
worker Liz Millette will no longer be the staff representative on the Council.
The Council is pleased to welcome Linda Montgomery as the new staff
representative, and we look forward to having another successful and
productive year.
Cheers!
Your Client Council
‘‘
2012
financial position
statement of financial position as of march 31 >
assets
2012
2011
cash & short term deposits
$612,933.00
$79,177.00
cash - ministry special funds
- $9,947.00
accounts receivable
$116,129.00
$69,774.00
prepaid expenses $26,153.00
$30,433.00
$755,215.00 $189,341.00
current:
liabilities
current:
accounts payable & accrued liabilities $206,100.00
$62,017.00
due to local health integration network $428,604.00
(note 5)
$20,797.00
$643,704.00 $82,814.00
net assets
$120,511.00 $106,527.00
$755,215.00 $189,341.00
on behalf of the board:
the hopes and struggles
of my life’s path
May my heart always be open to receiving
people’s kindness and love in the world.
A person’s smile goes a long long way.
A hug is to make me feel better if I am sad or a happy hug is to celebrate
something.
The heart has importance to people.
May my mind see the right ways and things so that living is a wonderful gift.
My mind can take me to very dark places where it questions the state of living.
The mind can be a contradictory force to me.
The mind can be so powerful but it can also deceive you.
May I find the strength to go on living.
May I find courage to fight my contradictory battle within myself.
I also hope that I continue to see the love and the positive things around me.
By Karen L.
56 aberfoyle cres., suite 400
etobicoke, ON | M8X 2W4
tel: 416.248.2050 | fax: 416.248.6557
charitable #: 0725010-11-13
BN 10735 2528 RR0001