This is the second in a series of stories about a day in the life of a staff member at Ranch Ehrlo Society.

Kevin Mugford, former group living director, was responsible for the Buckland campus including its three homes, as well as the home in Prince Albert until his retirement at the end of December.

When he started working at the Ranch in 2011, he planned to retire after a few years. “I stayed because of the tremendously good people I worked with,” he explained.

As a member of the senior leadership team, the director influences and implements policies, procedures, and agency standards and initiatives.

He also oversees the group living unit managers in the four homes, who in turn oversee the rest of the group living team which includes youth care workers, youth care leaders, and houseparents.

The director is also the liaison with funding agencies, community resources, and other internal and external stakeholders.

His typical day started with checking the reports from the previous evenings. He then contacted his unit managers.

“It was my responsibility to support them individually and support their programs,” he said.

He said one of his top priorities was to manage his accessibility within the Ranch. He was in regular contact with participants. He would also be in daily contact with direct care staff, administrative staff, property management staff, education staff and colleagues, and clinical staff so that he could contribute to building the team effect of supporting participants in Prince Albert.

“We have staff socials every four months or so which really enhances the team atmosphere here,” he said.

He was responsible for many administrative duties such as planning staff training sessions, reviewing policies, planning agency events, and participating in policy committees. He also was quite active on other special committees such as the therapeutic camping program committee.

Ranch Ehrlo direct care staff have the unique opportunity to take participants on fun therapeutic camping trips. They are therapeutic because of all the benefits the participants derive from the trips. It is a favourite activity of participants and staff.

Kevin often had meetings with community partners which had a positive impact on Ranch Ehrlo.

“Making sure Ranch Ehrlo is visible in the Prince Albert community was a daily focus,” he said.

He said it was a very rewarding career for him.