Last year, nearly 12,000 people came to Courage Center seeking to maximize their independence. As a result of participation in Courage Center services, people with disabilities became stronger, healthier, more independent, and better able to fully participate in their communities. • 95% of Courage Center's Transitional Rehabilitation clients were discharged to community settings (versus nursing homes) in 2011. • 95% of clients participating in Courage Center's health, wellness and fitness, independent living skills and sports and recreation services reported improved health and physical fitness in 2011. • Approximately 90-95% of Courage Center Vocational Services clients are unemployed at the time they begin services and go on to secure jobs with an average annual increase in earnings of $14,000. Our work serves to better the lives of people with disabilities and their families, but it also saves public resources: • Participation in Courage Center’s Chronic Pain Rehabilitation inpatient program has reduced use of the health care system for 64% of clients, as reported by their physicians. • Since its opening, Courage Center’ s primary care clinic has demonstrated a 71% decrease in hospital days overall, a 50% decrease in the 30-day hospital readmission rate as well as improvements in patient engagement, patient-reported healthy days and patient satisfaction. Courage Center data show that in the first 2½ years of operation, our primary care clinic model saved the State Medicaid program (Medical Assistance) close to $3.4 million in reduced hospitalizations alone.

Courage Center’s mission is to empower people with disabilities to realize their full potential in every aspect of life. Our vision is that one day, all people will live, work, learn and play in communities based on their abilities, not disabilities. To further our vision, Courage Center’s goals are to: • Change community norms and public policies to remove physical and attitudinal barriers so that all people can fully participate in community life; • Partner with others to build a seamless continuum of services that supports health and independence for individuals and their families; and • Be nationally recognized as an innovator in rehabilitation and health and wellness services. In 2012, Courage Center will work toward three agency-wide client outcomes that will be measured across programs. Measurement targets will include: increasing the number of clients reporting that they are able to participate more actively and live independently in the community; lowering 30-day hospital readmission rates for patients in our primary care clinic and Transitional Rehabilitation Program; and increasing overall client satisfaction as measured by an increase in the number of clients recommending Courage Center to others. Courage Center’s strategic initiatives for 2012 include improving operational performance, profitable growth and service excellence.

People with Disabilities

Primarily Minnesota and western Wisconsin