During the State’s FY2024 budget process we had several opportunities for advocacy that could help lead to positive changes for agencies just like ours.
When it comes to rate reimbursement for services provided the original proposed amount was $1.50. Organizations across the state rallied together to demand a $4.00 increase that would allow us to pay a professional wage and compete with the rising minimum wage. Thanks in part to your involvement, we are grateful to share they settled at a rate of $2.50/hour.
Another piece of our funding puzzle is the formula in which reimbursement rates are calculated. Because of the 2020 Guidehouse Study that formula was being updated. Unbeknownst to provider agencies like EP!C and IDHS staff, the new formula funded fewer DSP hours. For EP!C, this meant a decline of 45,468 DSP hours and $525,000 less in funding per year. Due to the proposed elimination of DSP hours and the uproar over this proposal, IDHS had agreed to freeze the 2022 rate formulas until October as they bring in a third party to analyze the new formula and find out why it was projecting cuts in DSP hours. EP!C submitted our numbers and outcomes as evidence in hopes it adds to the urgency of rectifying and funding the rates properly.
I want to personally thank each and every one of you who took the time to make your voice heard by filing out a witness slip, sending an automatic email or picking up the phone to call our representatives. As voting constituents, your voices speak much louder than the population we support. Keep an eye out on our social media and website for other opportunities to get involved.
– Kim Cornwell, EP!C CEO
Join us for an EP!C 5k.
Whether you run, walk, or roll this EP!C 5k will start and end at EP!C, take you down University and connect to the picturesque Rock Island Trail. Join us after for a parking lot party with some of our sponsors.
After 9 years on the EP!C team, Steve Rollins our Chief Financial Officer (CFO) has submitted his retirement.
Managing the budget for a nonprofit is no easy task. The knowledge and skill set Steve brought to our team over the past several years has been invaluable. From rectifying our pension obligations, overseeing rate projections with the State, assisting in the growth of our operating budget from $13 million to over $22 million, to planning for the next phase of our industry all while keeping that budget balanced, his contributions are endless. Steve will stay on as he trains the new CFO to ensure a smooth transition.
Congratulations Steve, thank you for the impact you have made.
We are excited to welcome Michael Cohlman to the EP!C team as our new Sr. VP of Finance/Chief Financial Officer (CFO).
Mike has almost 35 years of experience in Finance working in the telecommunications, insurance, and healthcare industries. For the last six years he has worked in the Peoria area with OSF Healthcare and most recently at Heartland Health Services as their Chief Financial Officer since 2018 where he continued to grow his knowledge of funding in the nonprofit medical space.
Mike attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and received a bachelor’s degree in finance. Outside of work Mike enjoys spending time with his family, coaching youth athletics, and golfing.
We are busy prepping for the 2023 EP!C Harvest CSA season. Don’t miss out on getting direct access to high quality, fresh produce grown by EP!C participants.
It’s been a very exciting start to the season for the EP!Cycling Club.
This spring we received a generous donation from BossTek purchasing two new side by side bikes bringing our fleet to six! Then our friend and Peoria Outdoor Adventure creator Mark Monge used his passion and platform to raise funds for the club to purchase new bike helmets ensuring everyone has a safe ride.
We invite anyone who is interested to grab your bike and join us for an inclusive ride. Don’t have a bike? We are also looking for volunteers interested in riding with individuals.
Rides are bi-monthly on Tuesday at 9AM.
July 11 & 25 | August 8 & 22 | September 5 & 19 | October 3 & 17
March Employee of the Month
Mint Damaso was selected as our March Employee of the Month.
His nominator said,“He goes above and beyond his expectations daily, he recently assisted an individual in cleaning their apartment and teaching them to cook on his own time. He is empowering and inspiring every day and he always has the individual’s best interest in mind. He is a valuable part of the team because he always has a positive attitude and inspiring words of encouragement.”
April Employee of the Month
April’s Employee of the Month was Troy Waldschmidt.
His nominator said Kayla was awarded the title due to,“He goes above and beyond when it comes to caring for individuals. One example is when we experienced technical issues with our electronic program used for passing medications, he made sure to contact nursing to be sure that there had been no changes in anyone’s medications before administering them. He provides phenomenal, compassionate, and experienced care.”
May Employee of the Month
Laveona Proctor was chosen for May’s Employee of the Month.
Her nominator said,“she sees a need, she jumps right in to help. She sees a dream and does all she can to make it happen, she is a strong voice for getting individuals integrated into the community. She is a positive, hardworking team player that makes sure everyone is always have the best day possible.”
June Employee of the Month
Our final Employee of the Month for our FY23 was Donald Dixon in June.
His nominator said, he “is a great teammate that brings ideas and concerns to the table to find solutions. Every time they visit a community employer, they are engaged with everyone to ensure our individual’s potential and worth. Many of the participants call him “Grandpa” because he is caring and has so many words of wisdom.”
Join us for our annual EP!C Night at the Ballpark and help us cheer on the Peoria Chiefs as they take on the West Michigan Whitecaps during Superhero Night!
Saturday, August 26, 2023 beginning 5:30 pm at Dozer Park.
« Back to Newsletters
Donate