2023 Annual Report

Incompass Michigan is celebrating its 50^th anniversary in 2024. But 2023 was a historic year for the association as well, when after persistent advocacy, we secured funding to distribute nearly $2.7 million in subawards to member organizations for reimbursement of eligible expenses incurred to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic. Our team worked tirelessly through program design, administration, and disbursement of funds to provide much needed relief to many of our members.

While we celebrate a milestone this year, it is also important to remember that the history of our organization does not solidify its future. As we face forward, we are on a new trajectory, a journey of transformation, navigating the path to the next level of achieving inclusive communities. We must be a part of the changes occurring in our field, embracing a future that may require us to think differently, serve people differently, collaborate with nontraditional partners, and project our brand to the broader community in a different way. 

Through advocacy, innovation, education, and leadership development, we empower our members to achieve their mission.  But another part of the value proposition for Incompass Michigan membership is connectivity with resources – information, best practices, shared knowledge and problem solving – that also promote success for members and persons served. Our hope is that the connections we convene will strengthen our collective resolve to positively impact communities all over Michigan. Thank you again for all you do. 

Advocating for our members is always a top priority of the Association, in 2023 we

• Secured funding to distribute nearly $2.7 million in subawards to member organizations for reimbursement of eligible expenses incurred to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Provided a user friendly way to quickly and easily contact your legislators about important issues through the Incompass Michigan Advocacy Center including Action Alerts on supporting Michigan's Direct Care Workforce.
• Provided members legislative representation through the distinguished lobbying firm MHSA
• Supported successful In District Advocacy events at member locations, heightening awareness of community impact and positive supports for persons served with key legislators
• Collaborated with the Direct Care Worker Wage Coalition and successfully advocated for inclusion of funding in the FY23 budget to support increasing DCW wages by $0.85/hour; (since 2018, the average starting wage for direct care workers has increased over 45%)
• Compiled the sixth Workplace Survey Report on Direct Support Staff Wages in partnership with Michigan Assisted Living Association

In 2023 we expanded member benefits through a partnership with the Small Business Association of Michigan, Incompass Michigan members now receive complementary Premium Level Memberships to SBAM

ATTRACT AND RETAIN EMPLOYEES

• Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan & Blue Care Network health, dental and vision insurance
• Dearborn Group Life & Disability Insurance
• Pooled Employer Retirement Plan
• LifeSecure Accident & Hospital Recovery Coverage
• Discount Tuition at Davenport University
• Tutoring & School Work Support provided by Sylvan

STAY COMPLIANT

• Ask An Expert Hotline for Legal, HR & Cybersecurity Issues
• Payroll Solutions powered by The Ahola Corporation
• Premium Only Plans & Flexible Spending Accounts by Kushner & Co.
• ERISA Compliance Services by Kushner & Co.
• COBRA Administration Services
• Free Summary Plan Description
• Discounted workplace posters, employee handbooks, pre-employment screening & employee training

SAVE MONEY ON EXPENSES

• FedEx Shipping, Printing & Copy Discounts
• Offce Supply discounts powered by DBI, Integrity Business Solutions & Offce Express
• Merchant Services through UpPayment
• Debt Collection by CBM Services
• SBAM Energy Solutions

BE PROTECTED

• Cybersecurity Services by SensCy
• RiskAssure Cyber Risk Scanning Tool
• Cyber Liability Insurance through MAIA Insurance Services
• Allstate Identity Protection

Our professional Development opportunities continue to grow to meet member needs.

• The Education Taskforce helped further the evolution of our professional development offerings and secure CEUs for 6 trainings, in addition to re:con. 
• Provided on-demand trainings via our Learning Management System with high quality professional development training opportunities
• Virtual delivery of key programs: ACRE Employment Services with an Emphasis on Customized Employment Certificate Course, The Essence of Personal Bias, and the Job Coach Training Series
• Hosted CARF and ACRE trainings in-person at the Incompass Michigan office

In 2023 we offered a variety of new trainings, including:

• Budgeting Basics for Future Projects
• The Culture of Gentleness
• Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services - What Can You Do to Be Ready?
• How Community Rehabilitation Organizations Can Do Business with the State of MI
• How to Find (and Get) Amazing Direct Support Professionals
• Intro to Mental Health First Aid
• Trauma Support in the Workplace
• Women with Autism Panel sponsored by Autism Alliance of Michigan for Autism Awareness Month 

130 individuals attended our Spring Leadership Conference in Traverse City, with many strong presentations and networking opportunities.

Many thanks to our sponsors for their continued support.

PLATINUM SPONSOR

GOLD SPONSORS

PLATINUM LEADERSHIP CHAMPION ASSOCIATE MEMBER

PLATINUM ASSOCIATE LEADERSHIP ADVOCATE

SILVER SPONSORS

• Autism Alliance of Michigan
• Dutton Farm
• Goodwill Industries of Greater Detroit
• Hope Network

BRONZE SPONSOR

• Pioneer Resources

Over 250 individuals attended re:con and re:new in Traverse City, offering CRC and Social Work CEUs as well as connectivity opportunities like the Innovation Stage, receptions with vendors and micro enterprise entrepreneurs, and the new Pop-Up Community Art Show.

Thank you to our sponsors:

• Gesher Human Services
• MiABLE
• MRCEA
• Autism Alliance of Michigan
• Michigan Bureau of Services for Blind Persons (BSBP)
• MHSA
• Midwest Employers Casualty

We doubled down with two cohorts of the Leadership Foundation for those just starting their leadership journey, the first level of our Leadership Pathway.

The Leadership Academy Graduated the 13th class of the Leadership Academy, now totaling 223 graduates since 2010; and welcomed the 14th cohort.

Participants learned more about finance and accounting, governance and board relations, legislative advocacy, strategic planning and organizational culture, and allyship in the workplace.  Many thanks to their organizations and their mentors for supporting them on this journey.

2023 Leadership Academy Graduates

• Rebecca Allard, Autism Alliance of Michigan
• Sarah Beauregard, Gesher Human Services
• Brittany Campbell, Oakland Community Health Network
• William D Campbell, Mid Michigan Industries
• Steenah L. Bedford, Peckham
• Michele Finley, Services to Enhance Potential
• Micah Haven, Grand Traverse Industries
• Danielle Hook, New Gateways
• Kasey Hulteen, Peckham
• Saleem Karim, New Gateways
• Katie Kinde, Incompass Michigan
• Alexandra Modlin, Peckham
• Ashia-Denise Moore, Gesher Human Services
• Michelle Parra, Judson Center
• Brianna Renno, SVRC Industries
• Charlotte Rowe
• Aimee Szabo, Services to Enhance Potential
• Jamila Stevens, Judson Center
• Summer Tahaney, Gesher Human Services
• Lauren E. Todaro, MPA, Autism Alliance of Michigan

The Leadership Continuum graduated the 6th class of our advanced leadership development program, now totaling 44 graduates since 2017. Thank you to their organizations for supporting these leaders through a deeper dive of leadership development.

2023 Leadership Continuum Graduates

• Sarah Beauregard, Gesher Human Services
• Ted Goewey, Gesher Human Services
• Menachem Hojda, Oakland Community Health Network
• Dawn Krull, Oakland Community Health Network
• Ashia-Denise Moore, Gesher Human Services
• Holly Mullins, Services to Enhance Potential
• Shonda Rushing, Services to Enhance Potential
• Aimee Szabo, Services to Enhance Potential

Incompass Michigan remains committed to providing strong leadership development programming. Building on our popular 101 Series, we added DEI 101 with three sessions focused on Working within the LGBTQ+ Community, Intersectionality, and Empathetic Listening and Communication. These on-demand trainings are available in our Learning Management System along with the Leadership 101, Management 101 and HR 101 series.

Charmaine Kennedy from Services to Enhance Potential was selected to join the Incompass Michigan Board as the newest Emerging Leader board member for Academy graduates, strengthening and diversifying association governance.

Ensuring members are in-the-know on critical issues in a continuously changing world is a top priority. In 2023 we hosted 20 all-member Friday calls and 15 Info Alerts in addition to our weekly Updates.

In addition, we provided opportunities for invaluable peer-to-peer connectivity:

• Hosted public policy updates and collaborative peer discussions through quarterly Behavioral Health and VR Workgroups 
• Established a new communication forum with MRS and BSBP leadership teams, VR Leadership Connect
• Hosted regular meetings of the Employer Engagement Community of Practice focused on best practices for engaging employers and working together to develop and implement a pathway to successful employment for persons who face barriers to employment 
• Expanded the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Task Force, focused on providing DEI education and awareness to Incompass Michigan members and their boards as well as providing a Community of Practice “safe space” for sharing, asking questions and getting feedback on DEI related issues and initiatives
• Launched our CEO Roundtables, exclusively for Incompass Michigan member CEOs and Executive Directors to support discussion of emerging hot topics, to offer advice, to provide feedback, to engage in collaboration and to share best practices among peers
• Hosted Member Art Program Tours with an emphasis on peer learning and developing best practices in programming

Incompass Michigan administers a self-insured workers’ compensation insurance fund for its members. The program has been in operation since 1988 and we're proud to announce that the self-insured Workers' Compensation Fund will be distributing over $750,000 in premium discounts to Fund members for 2024.

Since inception, we have given back over 38% of premium collected to our members in the form of dividends and discounts.

Incompass Michigan provides health and safety training for organizations working with people with disabilities and other barriers to employment at no cost thanks to MIOSHA CET Grant Funding - over 25 Safety Trainings available via our on-demand Learning Management System and mobile app.

In 2023 we provided 1,959 hours of Workplace Safety Training and 137 hours of Loss Prevention Consultation Hours and continued an innovative Peer Review model.

The Essence of Collaboration Awards give distinction to member organizations (or individuals from a member organization) who took specific, meaningful action in support of another member, or a group of members, to the benefit of all.

2023 Awardees:

• Work Skills Corporation recognized by Terey DeLisle, Services to Enhance Potential
• Brent Mikulski, Services to Enhance Potential recognized by Lynn Maginity, New Gateways
• Jennifer Grace, Arnold Center recognized by Terey DeLisle, Services to Enhance Potential
• Lenora Hardy-Foster, Judson Center recognized by Michele Finley, Services to Enhance Potential
• Disability Network West Michigan recognized by Pioneer Resources
• Pioneer Resources recognized by Disability Network West Michigan

Impactful Mentor Awards gives distinction to leaders within an Incompass Michigan member organization who provided outstanding mentorship to an individual from another Incompass Michigan member organization. This mentorship relationship strongly benefited the mentee and possibly their organization.

2023 Awardees:

• Jessica Diener, Peckham  recognized by Summer Tahaney, Gesher Human Services
• Tamaria White, Gesher Human Services recognized by Steenah Bedford, Peckham
• Paul Blatt, Gesher Human Services recognized by Micah Haven, Grand Traverse Industries
• Justin Walworth, Peckham recognized by Saleem Karim, New Gateways