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As we look
back on 2022, we see another year that held challenges, although we
take heart in the resilience of CHIRS staff and their achievements
made on behalf of the CHIRS organization. The Board appreciates the
staff's ongoing leadership and tireless commitment to CHIRS'
Mission (of improving the lives of those living with Acquired Brain
Injuries) as well as their support to their colleagues. While the
influences of the pandemic are different than they once were,
minimizing its impact remained a focus for the organization.
Tremendous effort has gone into keeping everyone as safe as possible.
Notwithstanding the ongoing challenges and fatigue caused by the
longevity of the pandemic, by all accounts 2022 was once again a
productive year.
While the
Aldebrain and St. Georges sites have collectively faced three
Public Health declared COVID-19 outbreaks and two visits from the
Ministry of Labour, the protocols in place have been effective in
minimizing the scale of outbreaks and their impact and elicited
compliments from the Public Health investigators. This year also
brought significant work requests from The Office of the Auditor
General of Ontario, as part of their annual auditing
responsibilities, as well as a review by the Workplace Safety and
Insurance Board of Ontario. CHIRS also received the final report from
the Accreditation Canada Review. These reviews did not indicate a
need for improvements; indeed, CHIRS received a rebate from Workplace
Safety and Insurance Board due to the excellent findings and an award
of Exemplary Standing from Accreditation Canada.
A
strength of the CHIRS organization is the amazing staff and their
community work. Hedy Chandler, CHIRS Executive Director for the past
35 years, also holds the role of Chair of the Toronto ABI Network. At
this year's two-day Conference, she made introductory and closing
remarks on both days. The Conference was a great success. Three
presentations by CHIRS staff were very well received and brought a
great deal of attention to the programs and expertise at CHIRS. We
are thrilled to report that the CHIRS Food Security Program
presentation was selected Best Rapid Podium Presentation.
We
are delighted that Dr. Carolyn Lemsky, the CHIRS Clinical
Director, received a Health
Care Provider of the Year
award. This award is given to the health practitioner who has
consistently gone above and beyond the call of duty to assist the
Brain Injury Community. Dr. Lemsky is also going International! She
was invited to and will present at the 14th World
Congress on Brain Injury Symposium
in Dublin, Ireland in March 2023.
Under Dr.
Lemsky's clinical leadership, CHIRS continues to be seen as a
center of excellence in the field of Acquired Brian Injury. The
evidence of this is the expansion of clinical oversight and support
provided by Dr. Lemsky and her team. New partnerships were
formed this year with Brain Injury Services of Simcoe Muskoka, the
Peterborough Brain Injury Program, and the Gerstein Centre. We also
anticipate the support of the City of Toronto's Safe TO Program (A
Community & Safety Well-Being Plan). These partnerships
generate revenue for CHIRS which allows for the expansion of programs
and services.
Making
the most of lighter in-person traffic, much-needed major
renovations and refreshes took place at all three CHIRS sites. CHIRS
was awarded a $100,000 grant from the Ontario Trillium Fund to update
the HVAC system at head office. These grants are immensely helpful.
We received the news that CHIRS, in partnership with Reena, will
receive funding to provide support and housing to four new
individuals. Always thinking of ways to add revenue, CHIRS entered
an agreement with Bell Canada to allow a communication tower on the
head office roof.
In
terms of CHIRS Board activities, one of the Board's mandates is
ensuring that the Board operates effectively within the
organization's bylaws. One of these requirements is to undertake an
independent external risk audit covering all aspects of the CHIRS
organization, including Board effectiveness. The purpose is to
seek recommendations for improvements to enable CHIRS to remain
best in class. This audit is complete and a report to the Board is
forthcoming.
The
Board also values feedback from the CHIRS Client and Family
Satisfaction Survey and we are pleased to see continued positive
feedback. The Board would very much like to re-establish the
annual in-person discussions with clients and their families to
enrich the feedback. At the point in time when we can all
gather safely a forum will be planned.
There
are a few changes within the Board. This past fall Board members Dr.
Leanne Tran and Janette Yuen retired from the Board after completing
two three-year terms. Dr. Leanne Tran held the role of both Board
Vice Chair and Head of the Governance Committee. She has been a great
help to both the past Chair, Samantha Chapman, and myself.
Janette Yuen held the role of Recording Secretary as well as having
contributed to the Compensation Committee. Her skills as a consultant
have brought broad knowledge to discussions at Board meetings.
Thank you to both for your valuable service.
We
welcomed two new Board members. Schiavonea (Nina) Corrado, works
for the Toronto Catholic District School Board, coordinating their
gifted programs. She has experience working with students of various
cognitive and physical disabilities. Nina has personal experience
with TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) through a family member who is
supported by CHIRS. It has always been important that the Board has
family representation, so we are appreciative Nina has been able to
join the Board. Also joining the Board is Erica Teklits.
Prior to her retirement Erica was CHIRS lead auditor from BDO, so she
certainly knows the financial aspects of CHIRS. Along with her
financial skills, Erica has experience in the not-for-profit space;
she is Board Chair of Etobicoke Services for Seniors and Chair of the
Community Foundation of Mississauga. We track the knowledge,
skills, and experience of the Board and Nina and Erika are a great
fit.
In
closing we share the wonderful news that the CHIRS Adult Day Programs
are slowly reopening in-person sessions. On behalf of the Board, it
is a great privilege to be part of a leading-edge organization with
such dedicated professionals. Looking to the year ahead we have every
confidence in CHIRS continued success.
Jenny McAdam
January 2023
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