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Message from Our Executive Director

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Sandie Hoskin, Executive Director

Sandie Hoskin, Executive Director at Lake Ridge Community Support Services

Despite the challenges of these unprecedented times, the team here at Lake Ridge Community Support Services (LRCSS) remained committed to helping people, of all ages, with intellectual disabilities and autism to maximize their potential. The year 2021-22 presented us with continued adventures related to the COVID-19 pandemic and restrictions. Our staff, clients, caregivers, Board of Directors and community continued to demonstrate strength and resilience as we moved through this last fiscal year.

We continued to provide virtual service where possible and returned to in-person service when it was appropriate and safe.  Our teams have continued to be creative with providing virtual services to make them as accessible, interactive and supportive as possible. 

We continued to see growth and change in our services for children and youth with autism spectrum disorder. At LRCSS, we expanded our ability to offer more fee based service while continuing to support our clients in the OAP.  The Ontario Autism Program (OAP) continued its transition. In early fall, we partnered with Grandview Kids, Resources for Exceptional Children and Youth, and the Region of Durham forming the OAP-Durham to offer the Caregiver Mediated program. This program is designed to help parents and caregivers find new ways for their young children with autism (12 to 48 months) to learn new skills and achieve goals in social communication. In mid-March, we also started the Entry to School program within this same partnership.  The Entry to School program is designed to help children with autism spectrum disorder prepare for a successful transition to Kindergarten or Grade 1. 

Our children and adult services funded through the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (MCCSS) continued to be offered throughout the year, either in person or virtually.  We are beginning to consider the changes over the next 8 to 10 years as outlined in the Journey to Belonging document created by the MCCSS.  Journey to Belonging is the long-term vision for developmental services where people with developmental disabilities entirely belong in their communities and are supported to live the lives they choose.

In February 2022, LRCSS engaged with CMCS Consulting Services to start our strategic planning journey. We focused on capitalizing on our strengths and capabilities throughout the past year to increase our capacity and ensure that we continue to be a high-performing, individualized and ethical organization.  We focused on program development and this increase in capacity while maintaining the highest service delivery standards and operational quality. We are looking forward to the process and outcomes of strategic planning as we move forward to help guide our next steps for agency growth and development.

I would like to recognize and thank our incredible staff for the continued effort, hard work and dedication to supporting our clients, caregivers, community and each other. I would also like to thank our clients, caregivers and community for their patience and flexibility as we moved between virtual and in-person service, understanding the COVID-19 requirements for providing safe environments for everyone.  Lastly, I would like to recognize our Board of Directors for their continued support, feedback and direction for our agency's growth and evolvement.

Over the past two years, we have grown tremendously and are proud of our accomplishments and flexibility. The safety and well-being of our staff, clients, and caregivers were our top priority.  We are looking forward to 2022-23 as COVID-19 restrictions ease and allow us to safely offer more in-person client and group services.

Sandie Hoskin, Executive Director