* All people have abilities and gifts.

* All people need a sense of belonging to a community.

* All people contribute to a community.

* All people can live in their own homes with the right support.

* All people should be treated with dignity and respect and have a right to privacy.

* All people have the right to be heard and their ideas acknowledged.

Jay Nolan Community Services' philosophy grows out of the belief that - with the right kinds of support and assistance - individuals with disabilities can and should pursue their hopes and dreams and live their lives to the fullest potential as active members of their communities.

It is an ideal of inclusion rather than exclusion and segregation.

For hundreds of citizens with autism and other developmental disabilities and their families, JNCS is the solution to what can seem to be insurmountable problems.

After 18 years, I thought I would share with you what has been accomplished. I do this for several reasons but primarily to remind you that the organization you work for and with does try very hard to do good each day.

1. In 1992, JNCS administered 13 group homes. Today we have 97 people living in 96 different homes of their own.
2. In 1992, JNCS administered 3 day behavior management programs. Today we have 90 people in our community based program working, volunteering, attending school and being involved in other type of activities.
3. In 1992, JNCS had a very small supported employment program. Today, JNCS supports almost 50 people in supported employment.
4. In 1992, JNCS had nobody involved in micro-enterprise development. Today, JNCS has three people who have created their own businesses.
5. In 1992, JNCS administered congregate family support services; today we provide services to over 150 people in individualized and personalized supports.
6. In 1992, JNCS administered a segregated camp program. Today, JNCS administers an integrated camp program.
7. In 1992, JNCS did not provide an alternative family program. Today, JNCS supports six children in alternative homes with real families.
8. In 1992, JNCS was on the verge of bankruptcy. Today, JNCS has a positive fund balance of over $2.2 million.
9. In 1992, JNCS has less then one day of cash. Today, JNCS has almost sixty days of cash.
10. In 1992, JNCS had a worker’s compensation rate of over 200. Today, our rate is 113.
11. In 1992, JNCS spent over $160,000 on repairs of our thirteen group homes. Today, JNCS spent less than $3,000 to help provide repairs to people’s homes.
12. In 1992, people used psychotropic medication at a rate of almost 70% higher than today.
13. In 1992, people generated more special incident reports because of problematic behavior then in 2009-2010. There was approximately a 60% reduction.
14. In 2009-2010, JNCS had the 8th straight year of living in the “black” as indicated by your auditor’s report.
15. In 2009-2010, our audit report showed no need for a management letter. There have been almost no material concerns expressed by our auditors in years!
16. JNCS has had more visitors from Australia, New Zealand, Korea, England and Canada because of our international reputation.
17. In 2010, our training program has been improved to the point of being one of the best in California.
18. In 2010, our turn-over rate has been reduced to less than 30% almost half the state-wide average.
19. JNCS has been instrumental in being involved in several litigation efforts. This includes the Sanchez Lawsuit, Retro-active rate cuts, etc.
20. JNCS has been involved in state-wide legislative activities advocating for personalized and individualized approaches to services.
21. JNCS has been involved in state-wide, nation-wide and international conferences presenting our accomplishments.
22. JNCS has received several three year accreditations from CARF.
23. JNCS has received another three year accreditation from American Camping Association with special recognition.
24. JNCS is one of a very few organizations in the country that has utilized a circle of support concept.
25. JNCS is the only organization in California and one of a handful of organizations in the United States that has completely eliminated the use of site based services for people with autism and other developmental disabilities.
26. JNCS has pulled together a very strong administrative and programmatic management team. As evidenced by the outcomes noted above as well as other indicators.

While JNCS has its share of challenges, we have demonstrated the ability to provide good services to people with high support needs. We have demonstrated that doing good and being a good business are not mutually exclusive.

So, let’s not forget what we have achieved as we work through our current challenges.

I want to thank you for your time and consideration in this matter.

Jeffrey Strully
Executive Director