2024 Annual Report

Incompass Michigan celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2024. We proudly observed this milestone, remembering the purpose of the association as defined by our founders: to “offer assistance to its member agencies in providing high quality programs” serving individuals with disabilities and other barriers to community access.

We remain true to our core purpose; it is also important to acknowledge that the history of our organization does not solidify its future. Facing forward, our trajectory requires navigating a pathway to continued sustainability and transformational impact. As the world around us shifts, we must be a part of the changes occurring in our field - embracing a future that will require us to think innovatively, serve more efficiently and effectively, and demonstrate value differently; we must seek out collaboration to leverage collective impact.

50 years on, the state of the association is strong.  Our primary objective endures - the empowerment of our members to achieve their mission.  Working together, we also create a value proposition for Incompass Michigan membership through connectivity with resources – information, best practices, shared knowledge and problem solving – that promote success for members and persons served. We look forward to the work ahead, in gratitude for all you do. 

Do the right thing: INTEGRITY 

Do it relentlessly: PERSISTENCE 

Do it with our members in mind: DEDICATION 

Do it together: COLLABORATION and INCLUSION 

Be adaptive to change: AGILITY 

Think long-term: FOCUS

Elevate wellbeing; respect our lives outside the workplace: BALANCE

Advocating for our members is always a top priority of the Association, in 2024 we

• Issued the extensively researched report, Drivers of Systems Change and Provider Readiness for Michigan's Home and Community Based Services, outlining national trends and innovative practices in behavioral health services.
• Secured $1 million appropriation in FY25 budget for social enterprise development, in collaboration with the SBAM.
• Successfully completed administration of the COVID Grant program in collaboration with MDHHS - Incompass Michigan members received nearly $2.8 million in sub-awards, and 72% of members received grant funds.
• Provided a user-friendly way to quickly and easily contact your legislators about important issues through the Incompass Michigan Advocacy Center including Action Alerts to support 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, successfully advocated for inclusion of funding in the FY24 budget to support increasing DCW wages by $0.20/hour; (since 2018, the average starting wage for direct care workers has increased over 50%)
• Compiled the seventh Workplace Survey Report on Direct Support Staff Wages in partnership with Michigan Assisted Living Association.

In 2024 we provided complementary Premium Level Memberships with the Small Business Association of Michigan (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
• Office Supply discounts powered by DBI, Integrity Business Solutions & Office 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

We also provided our members with significantly discounted access to GrantStation for members to find new funding opportunities, build strong grant programs, write powerful proposals, and win awards to fund your mission.

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

• 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, Implicit Bias, and the Job Coach Training Series
• Hosted CARF and ACRE trainings in-person at the Incompass Michigan office
• Announced new Member Referral Program - members can earn discounts and free registrations for the Leadership Conference and re:con starting in 2025

In 2024 we offered a variety of new trainings, including:

• Autism Acceptance
• Demystifying Artificial Intelligence
• Neurodiverse Acceptance in the Workplace
• Employment Law Updates
• Social Enterprise Webinar and Roundtable series in partnership with SBAM

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We welcomed over 100 individuals to attend 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

SILVER SPONSORS

• Autism Alliance of Michigan
• Midwest Employers Casualty
• MMI

BRONZE SPONSORS

• Do-All, Inc. 
• Goodwill Industries of West Michigan
• Pioneer Resources

We welcomed over 300 individuals to attend re:con 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 continued with our new addition of a community Art Show. We also recognized our 2024 BOOM and Apex Award Winners:

BOOM Award Recipients:

• Employee of the Year: Rob Bennett
• Entrepreneur of the Year: Nick Long
• Athlete of the Year: Derik Smith

Apex Award Recipients:

• Outstanding Employer: St. John’s Resort
• Outstanding Partner: Direct Care Worker Wage Coalition
• Transformational Leadership: Cherie Johnson, MMI Inc.

Thank you to our sponsors:

• Michigan Bureau of Services for Blind Persons (BSBP)
• Michigan Rehabilitation Association (MRA)
• MiABLE
• MHSA
• MRCEA
• Midwest Employer's Casualty

We started a new virtual Marketing 101 Series - access them on-demand in our Learning Management System along with the Leadership 101, Management 101, HR 101, and DEI 101 series.

We, again, facilitated 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 14th class of the Leadership Academy, now totaling 249 graduates since 2010; and welcomed the 15th 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.

2024 Leadership Academy Graduates

• Amanda Van Tubergen, Disability Network West Michigan (mentored by Rene Sherwood, Vocational Independence Program)
• Andrew Klaczkiewicz, SVRC Industries (mentored by Brent Mikulski)
• Brad Hastings, Disability Network West Michigan (mentored by Tony Calcagno, Goodwill Industries of Greater Grand Rapids)
• Brian Johnson, Mid Michigan Industries (mentored by Paul Blatt, Gesher Human Services)
• Bridgette Zappacosta, Pioneer Resources (mentored by Cindy Evans, Grand Traverse Industries)
• Chris Smith, Goodwill Industries of Greater Grand Rapids (mentored by Nathan Volz, Gesher Human Services)
• Craig Nowak, Gesher Human Services (mentored by Brian Babbitt, North Country Community Mental Health)
• David Chapman, Navigations (mentored by Tim Hatfield, New Horizons Rehabilitation Services)
• Denise M. Berry, SVRC Industries (mentored by Jennifer Grace, Arnold Center)
• Dominque Cook, North Country Community Mental Health (mentored by Leslie Gallant, Oakland Community Health Network)
• Heather Willis, Oakland Community Health Network (mentored by Yolanda Bellinger, SVRC Industries)
• Jamie S. Mead, Pioneer Resources (mentored by Justin Walworth, Peckham)
• Jennifer Bell, Arnold Center (mentored by Rene Dell, Gesher Human Services)
• Julia Tapper, Gesher Human Services (mentored by Laurel Buck, Autism Alliance of Michigan)
• Karen Utsey, Peckham (mentored by Lenora Hardy-Foster, Judson Center)
• Kimberly Johnson, Services to Enhance Potential (mentored by Colleen Allen, Autism Alliance of Michigan)
• Kristi Jackson, Autism Alliance of Michigan (mentored by Felicia Hunter, Goodwill of Greater Detroit)
• Kristina Zwick, Peckham (mentored by Charmaine Kennedy, Services to Enhance Potential)
• Laura Brunmeier, North Country Community Mental Health (mentored by Cheryl Ohman, Lakestate Industries)
• Leah Paige Cooley, Services to Enhance Potential (mentored by Jeanette Hoyer, Goodwill Industries of West Michigan)
• Madison Branch, MRC Industries (mentored by Emilia Gutierrez, Do-All)
• Mary Brown, Goodwill Industries of Greater Grand Rapids (mentored by Lynn Maginity, New Gateways)
• Melissa Hallock, Services to Enhance Potential (mentored by James Willis, Gesher Human Services)
• Sarah DeLand, Judson Center (mentored by Jill Bonthuis, Pioneer Resources)
• Shevera Lopez, Judson Center (mentored by Carla Dean, Services to Enhance Potential)
• Tara Dohning, Thumb Industries (mentored by Jill Boterenbrood, Hope Network)

The Leadership Continuum graduated the 7th class of our advanced leadership development program, now totaling 48 graduates since 2017. Thank you to their organizations for supporting these leaders through a deeper dive of leadership development.

2024 Leadership Continuum Graduates

• Tara Dohning, Thumb Industries
• Michele Garrett-Finley, Services to Enhance Potential
• Katie Kinde, Incompass Michigan
• Kristine Silvas, New Horizons Rehabilitation Services

Ensuring members are in-the-know on critical issues in a continuously changing world is a top priority. In 2024 we hosted 21 all-member Friday calls and 17 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 Public Policy Workgroup meetings
• Hosted regular meetings of the Employer Engagement Community of Practice focused on best practices to support successful employment for persons who face barriers
• Continued the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Task Force, focused on providing DEI education and awareness to Incompass Michigan members and their boards
• Continued our CEO Roundtables, for Incompass Michigan member CEOs and Executive Directors to discuss emerging hot topics, engage in collaboration, and share best practices among peers

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 $675,000 in premium discounts to Fund members for 2025.

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

In 2024, we continued an innovative Peer Review model for the Worker's Comp. Fund's Loss Prevention service

In addition, we also provided 2,730 hours of Workplace Safety Training and 91 hours of Loss Prevention Consultation Hours 

We also secured MIOSHA CET Grant Funding to continue providing members with high quality training at no cost - over 25 Safety Trainings available via our on-demand Learning Management System and mobile app, as well as hosted a Coffee with MIOSHA session

In 2024, we welcomed four new organizational members: Arenac Opportunities, Inc., Disability Network Northern Michigan, Disability Network Capital Area, and Skill & Ability Education.

2024 Member To Member Honorees

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.

2024 Awardees:

• Thumb Industries, recognized by April Mauro, Life Skills Centers
• Lenora Hardy-Foster, Judson Center, recognized by Karen Utsey, Peckham

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.

2024 Awardee:

• Yolanda Bellinger, SVRC Industries recognized by Heather Willis, Oakland Community Health Network