Yours, Ours, and The Community's 

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2004 STAFF NEWSLETTER

Summer is here and with it the beginning of our 2004-2005 Operating Year that began July1 and will end June 30, 2005. Administratively, this time of the year is very busy at the beginning as we work to close out and summarize activities, both programmatic and financial, for the previous year, and organize ourselves for the new operating year. Usually this busy time is followed by a more relaxed period where we can reflect on last year's accomplishments and can begin to implement our plans and strategies for the new operating year. In late July or early August, the auditors will arrive to begin their detailed review of our financial operations for the previous year. This is a very busy time for Mary Ann Hoover, Kim Pohopin, Linda Blake, and Carol Gordon. Before we know it, the schools will be prepared to reopen and the busy fall schedules will begin.

Oh, I should mention that this year we do have a completed and signed state budget - remember last year - it was not completed until the week between the Christmas Holiday and the beginning of the new year!

At the end of June, our board of directors approved a new, 3-year Strategic Plan that we will work with through June 30, 2005. In preparing for the combined plan development meeting with the board and the administrative team, our progress on the 3-year plan that ended on June 30, 2004, was reviewed. We accomplished quite a lot!! I will distribute a summary of our accomplishments and the new 3-year plan later in the summer.

In this issue of the Focus, you will find training schedules for both our Youth and DAP Services. Any employee interested in attending one or more of the training sessions should contact either Peggy Campbell or Marlene Mock to confirm the dates and times for the training. Attendance is strictly voluntary and should be approved by the responsible supervisor or program director.

You will also find information concerning Gunter's efforts in the marketing and fundraising arena. Make sure that you make note of the following dates for upcoming events: August 16, August 21, and September 13. Volunteer opportunities are available for all events - please contact Gunter for details.

Since our last issue, we have welcomed the following employees and interns to the agency:
CVSS
Cindy Psaki - Support Group Facilitator
Holly Lucas - Summer Intern

SUPPORT SERVICES
Jennifer Zeth - Summer Intern

DD
Leslie Leech - Office
Nadia Lucas
Lynda Bailey
Rick Pucciarella
Patrice Jones
Tina Lauver
Amy Fetterman
Sharon Greene
Judy Clossin
Tom Lauver

Mahlon Fiscel
Executive Director