Nonprofits
Envisioning the future
How Dennis Allen stresses the importance of flexibility and receptiveness at Hattie Larlham
By Katie Trostel
Smart Business Cleveland | September 2007
As CEO of a nonprofit organization, Dennis Allen understands
the need for flexibility. While Hattie Larlham serves those with
mental retardation and developmental disabilities (MR/DD) in
Northeast Ohio, Allen cannot neglect the business side of operations.
To maintain this dual focus, and in recognition of the fact
that the business world changes quickly, Allen uses a strategy he calls “Vision Casting,” which is a flexible planning
process based on a comprehensive overview and understanding of each element of Hattie Larlham.
This process ensures that the organization clearly defines
its mission, its values and any influencing outside trends to
help prepare for how the future may evolve. And because the
organization is affected by a number of factors, Allen and his
team strive to keep up to date on issues ranging from legislation impacting the health care industry to tax legislation to
family demographics.
During Allen’s 18-year tenure, he has expanded care from 180
families in 1988 to 1,400 individuals and families; increased the
annual operating budget from $7 million in 1988 to $28 million in 2006; implemented a $16 million capital campaign for
renovating the main campus in Mantua; collaborated with the County of Summit Board of MR/DD to establish a day
care for special needs children; expanded the number of supported living homes from three to 21; established a housing
corporation to acquire housing units for special needs residents; and constructed an education wing at the main campus
to increase opportunities for life-betterment programs.
True to its motto of “comfort, joy and achievement,” Hattie
Larlham constantly strives to serve its community in new ways,
such as helping to establish the Hattie Larlham Research
Institute in 2003 to conduct studies and pioneer new practices in the care and treatment of people with MR/DD. In the
continuing effort to enhance the quality of life of those with
disabilities, the project enables research, which focuses on
assistive technology, clinical care, allied therapy and other
medical improvements.
HOW TO REACH: Hattie Larlham, www.hattielarlham.org or (330) 274-2272
