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THE GRIT PROGRAM

12852—141 Street NW

Edmonton, AB. T5L 4N8

780.454.9910

780.455.1806

gritprog@gritprogram.ca

www.gritprogram.com

The GRIT Program

@theGRITprogram

Charity No. 131527723RR0001

Find a group of people who challenge

and inspire you, spend a lot of time

with them and it will change your life”

Amy Poehler

2016/17 ANNUAL REPORT

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CONTENTS 3 Message from the Board

President

4 Mission & Values

5 Accomplishments

6 About GRIT

8 Giving Every Child a Voice

9 Outcomes

10 Financial Highlights

12 Looking Ahead

13 Awards & Recognition

14 Partners

15 Board of Directors

- The GRIT Program is jointly funded by the Ministries of Alberta Education and Human Services

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Debbie Green, Treasurer Debbie is the Executive Director of the Bredin Centre for Learning. She brings a background in Social Services and a designation as a Certified Management Accountant to the GRIT Board. She is the mother of two boys aged 16 and 19.

Kandice Pace, Director

is a stay at home mom to three adorable children under the age of 6, two who have been supported by GRIT. Kandice expresses gratitude for the learning she has gained over the last three years and cannot imagine where her family would be without the guidance received from GRIT

Lorraine Stewart, Secretary Lorraine is enjoying the opportunities that retirement provides! In addition to her role on the GRIT board, she supports many other organizations. Lorraine continues to be connected to the educational community through her role as an educational consultant. She and her husband are fortunate to be close with their two adult children, their partners, and six grandchildren.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Morine Bolding Rossi, President Morine is a GRIT alumni parent and mother of three. She is a secondary teacher, but currently stays at home with their young children. Her GRIT star Will is currently in grade four. Morine is fully committed to the health and happiness of her family.

Katie Smith, Director Katie is a mother to three children. She is a physiotherapist working with adults, and more recently working with young children. Katie believes her additional experience as a mother of a child with special needs (enrolled in GRIT) allows her to serve as a valuable member of the Board of Directors.

Roger Cable, Director Roger is the principal owner of Veyron Projects Inc. who developed GRIT’s new home. Roger loves to travel. He has lived and worked in Australia, volunteered in Japan (with Samaritan’s Purse after the tsunami), and in Ecuador (“Children of Ecuador”). Roger has great respect for what GRIT’s vision can accomplish.

Tara Irwin, Director As a mother of three grown children, Tara is thankful for the life lessons her children have taught her. Tara is a proud entrepreneur of several grass roots companies. Her current focus is to enrich her leadership experience and skills to support others. Tara looks forward to working with champions that steward equality in our communities.

Grace Knight, Director In her 10 years as an Early Childhood Professional teaching preschool, Grace had the opportunity to work with GRIT. She is an advocate for inclusion in schools, communities, and business. As a partner with Three Knights Investments Inc. Grace enjoys supporting passionate entrepreneurs across Western Canada.

Dr. Susan Lynch, Director is an adjunct professor in the Faculty of Extension at the University of Alberta. She has worked in Early Childhood Education in many capacities for the past 50 years. Most recently, Dr. Lynch directed the Early Child Development Mapping Project (ECMap), a five year study of early childhood development in Alberta.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

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OUR PARTNERS

Thank you to everyone who donated financially, sponsored events, provided

items and volunteered their time.

You have made a remarkable difference and have paved the way for inclusive futures

of all our children.

DOUBLE DOWN for KIDS—2017 Event Sponsors

FRIENDS OF GRIT

Dennis Schmidt

Trevor Armstrong, CFP

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Dear GRIT Friends,

As always, it is wonderful to see the GRIT Program grow as champions for inclusive early learning for ALL children. We have much to share and celebrate! I was honored to be a part of our 35th anniversary celebration and family dance this fall. The Honorable David Eggen, (Minister of Education) recognized GRIT for the contributions to inclusive education over the past 35 years. I am also pleased to see our partnerships with Alberta Children’s Services, local school districts and community grow year after year. We are excited to see our ASaP Project (Access, Support and Participation) be chosen to support the development of inclusive child care in each of the $25.00/ day child care centres across the province. In addition, with the generous support of

Government of Alberta - Community Initiatives

Program, Stollery Charitable Foundation,

Children’s Ability Fund, and Canada Post, GRIT has successfully launched Giving Every Child a Voice. This new initiative will see an expansion of research and practice to support assistive and augmentative communication needed for children to have a functional communication system. On the fund development side of our Board’s work,

Double Down for Kids raised over $30,000! We are grateful for the commitment of these community-minded individuals and businesses who share our

vision including: George Smith, Veyron Projects

Inc., Lexus of Edmonton, Icon Mechanical

Contractors, Carlson Construction, Telsco

Security, Europa Concrete Planters, Investors

Group—Trevor Armstrong, Roger Cable, and

many more. As returning president, I would like to thank all the GRIT staff and families for their endless work and

dedication. The love, hope, passion and a shared

vision for our children is what makes us stronger.

Best wishes,

Morine Bolding Rossi

GRIT Board President

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OUR MISSION

GRIT’s Vision: Communities embrace diversity and uphold the value and rights of all children and their families.

GRIT’s Mission: GRIT provides family centered and inclusive early learning experiences to support the meaningful participation of children with disabilities in home, community and school.

OUR VALUES GRIT embodies our values in all aspects of our organization:

Family Centered Practice

Family is the constant in a child’s life Active participation enhances parent

decision making Families hold a vision for their child’s

future

Community Inclusion

We all belong Participation is the key to learning Independence and friendships are

fostered

Learning through Play

Play nourishes each child’s development Child’s strengths and interests are

celebrated Play builds curiosity and wonder

Learning Community

People are our most valuable asset Research guides our practices Through teaching, learning and

dialogue, people and ideas grow

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Recognition

of GRIT’s 35

Years

Presented by

Minister of

Education

David Eggen

to Morine

Rossi, Board

President

Cutting of the cake: City Councillor D. Loken; K. Pace (Board

Member), Dr. D. Jeffares, B. Reid (Executive Director), C. McLeod

(past Executive Director), J. Lewin ( Alumni Board Member), D.

Hoekstra (Alumni Parent), M. Rossi (Board President), Dr. E.

Pivato (Founding Parent), J. Arsenault (Alumni Board Member)

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Exciting Priorities for

2017-18

For Children:

Use of routine-based tools to match the right intervention to support each child’s participation in kindergarten routines.

For Families:

Explore resources to embed cultural awareness and sensitivity into our work.

Partnerships to streamline access to communication devices, with GRIT as an “approved authorizer”

For Community:

Promote GRIT’s professional expertise and leadership to the broader community (locally, provincially and nationally).

For GRIT Staff:

Ensure GRIT creates a workplace that supports mental health for all.

LOOKING AHEAD

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DEVELOPING INCLUSIVE COMMUNITIES

The ASaP Project supported 42 child care programs across Alberta to implement the research based Teaching Pyramid Model.

3 ASaP sites celebrated

becoming a “demonstration site” for quality practices.

GRIT is contracted to

ensure inclusive practices in Alberta’s $25.00/day child care centers, increasing GRIT ‘s support to 70 centers across Alberta.

Facilitated 15 professional

development experiences across Canada:

Early Childhood Educators Association in PEI, Infant and Child Mental Health Promotion in Toronto, the Alberta Teacher’s Association, local school boards, universities, and various community organizations.

A WELL-KNOWN LEADER

Created digital stories to capture family stories

Parents completed

questionnaire at IPP meetings about family support needs.

Focus IPP goals on

children’s participation in every day routines.

Monthly reflective

practice groups to support implementation of coach-ing practices.

Successful launch of

Giving Every Child a

Voice, with generous sponsorship from: Community Initiative Program, Canada Post, Stollery Family Foundation and Children’s Ability Fund.

Alberta Education—Advisory Committee for Building an Inclusive Education System.

Black Gold School

Division—professional development on coaching practices.

Glenrose Hospital—Representative on Advisory Committee to review Pediatric Services.

University of Alberta—Community Based research

Mental Health— collaboration to increase awareness of infant and child mental health practices.

Fund Development—new relationships with Stollery Charitable Foundation and Edmonton Community Foundation

What GRIT Offers: .

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

COLLABORATIVE PARTNERSHIP

GRIT Early childhood programming to children with developmental

disabilities and family support.

GRIT Plus Enhanced support to families enrolled with GRIT who

access Specialised Services funding through Family Support for

Children with Disabilities (FSCD).

ASaP (Access, Support, and Participation) Provides selected,

child care programs in Alberta with access to support needed to

ensure meaningful participation and inclusion of all children

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WHO WE SERVE

Total Children

CHILDREN

96

57 Boys 39 Girls

Developmental Disabilities

Developmental Disability 44 (i.e. Down Syndrome)

Physical or Medical Disability 22 (i.e. Cerebral Palsy, Autism)

Speech/Language Delay 20 Emotional/Behavioral Challenges 9

Vision/Hearing Loss 1

FAMILIES

English only 63% English & one other language 37%

Family Structure

Language Spoken in Home

82% Two parent families 14% One parent families 4% Foster families

Parents born outside of Canada

40% 11

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

Statement of Operations Year Ended August 31, 2017 Revenues

Alberta Education $3,212,061

Alberta Human Services $1,216,613

Alberta Culture & Tourism $70,731

Donations $76,495

Other Income $110,441

Investment Income $17,147 TOTAL REVENUE $4,703,488

Expenses

Instructional

Education team salaries $3,527,561

Parent resources, instructional supplies, outside contracts, staff training $719,506

Administration $208,897

Building & Operations $86,886

Fundraising $21,540

Amortization of Capital Assets $29,683

Bank and Other Interest Charges $1,714 TOTAL EXPENSES $4,595,787

NET SURPLUS FOR 2016/17 $107,702

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2016/17 Expenses $4,595,787

*Building /Operations 2%

People /Resources 92%

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

Administration 5%

Fundraising/ Events 1%

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GRIT engages families as active team members participating in all aspects of program planning

SCHOOL

COMMUNITY

HOW WE HELP

HOME Every child is unique. Each child’s abilities and interests are celebrated.

Play nourishes development. Children’s learning is achieved through play and participation in everyday routines.

Learning happens everywhere. The GRIT team aims for all children to experience the joy of childhood.

Educator’s skills and confidence are enhanced to ensure all children are valued members of their community.

All families are welcomed and experience belonging in their extended community.

GRIT nurtures collaborative partnerships with schools to provide each child and family with the right supports, at the right time.

Parents experience active participation and learning. Each family gains confidence in their ability to positively influence their future.

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GIVING EVERY CHILD A VOICE

NEW CREATIVE INITIATIVE GRIT is making its mark in the world of inclusion with the

Giving Every Child a Voice Project to give our children the chance to find their voice using assistive and augmentative communication devices (AAC).

Mission:

To uphold the rights of all children, regardless of their diverse abilities, by providing children access to the right AAC so they enter grade one with a communication system that ensures their best start.

Why is this project important?

Communication is critical to every child’s potential to learn, interact and participate in life.

To dispel the myth that young children need to “be ready” to benefit from an AAC device.

How are we reaching our vision?

Creation of Assistive Technology Lead position to provide leadership, guidance and expertise to our teams and families

Expansion of our communication device library so that families can trial the right device.

Research partnership with the U of A to ensure we are building knowledge and making a difference

Help families access funding for devices by being a recognized Aids to Daily Living Authorizer for AAC.

We gratefully acknowledge the generous sponsorship of:

NEW

CREATIVE

INITIATIVE 9

“GRIT did not only help our child to learn but

they are teaching us how to teach him, how

to advocate for him, and to believe in

ourselves and our vision for his future.”

Shyla Masse, Alumni Parent

“The Pyramid and GRIT have given us the

foundation so all staff can talk the same

language, use same or similar strategies for

problem solving and someone (ASaP coach)

to help evaluate our progress. I really do not

think I would still be a Director without this

timely intervention-the stress was too much.“

Director of Early Learning and Care Program

“ The GRIT TEAM changed not only my son’s

life, but our family’s life as a whole. Through

home programming, his authentic self and

potential emerged. I will forever be a strong

advocate and keep working to educate our

family and friends, the community and the

world to ensure that my children are happy,

healthy and lead successful, productive

lives.”

-Monica Gauron, Alumni Parent

“He used to be really shy. At birthday parties

I saw him play by himself and it made me so

sad. I think he staff really worked with him to

make friends and step out of his shell at

daycare. Now he can walk up to other kids

and ask to play other kids come to him to

play. It makes me so happy to see.”

Parent of child in Early Learning and Care Program