HOW YOUR GIVING CHANGES LIVES

Our goal for our residents is that each one has the opportunity to lead a meaningful, enjoyable life, and to attain the highest possible level of independence. Almost all of our residents’ essential care is funded through Medi-Cal. However, this rate structure pays only for basic services, despite the fact that California is one of the most progressive states in the U.S. in its funding for services that support people with developmental disabilities.

The nursing-intensive and program-rich environment that we provide to help our residents reach their potential requires, at a minimum, an additional 15% in revenue each year. We use a model of continuous active treatment, which views every aspect of a resident’s daily life as an opportunity to learn. This approach involves all staff in the individualized treatment program of each resident. This means that our success in fulfilling our mission is dependent on our ability to attract, train and retain the best staff.

Specialized equipment, software programs, games and toys that stimulate interest in the world, adaptive horseback riding, art and cooking classes—this is only a short list of vitally important options that make the difference between stagnation and growth, that encourage our residents to explore their interests and reach for their dreams. All of these program enrichments are dependent upon donations.

Our major priorities are:

	An example of how your giving changes lives: Nowhere at Hillside House are the limits of Medi-Cal funding more obvious than our ability to provide medical and dental care. Because many of our residents have speech and communication disabilities, it is absolutely essential that we do everything possible to anticipate and prevent problems. High quality dental care almost always requires sedation, at a cost of $500 to $700 a procedure, and this is not covered by Medi-Cal.

I. RESIDENTS: Provide a wealth of diverse programs to stimulate growth and well-being, using a model of continuous active treatment featuring individualized, specialized care. Our first priority is always our residents. We aim to help them lead the healthiest, happiest, most meaningful lives we can facilitate. All of our priorities are aimed at this one goal.

II.STAFF: Attract, train and retain the best staff to provide expert, individualized care to our residents. Our current priority is to raise staff salaries so that we can attract and retain the very best staff for our residents.

 “I really believe that staff salaries are the most important issue facing Hillside House. If we are able to pay at or near the top of the scale in Santa Barbara for CNA’s and Nurses, not only will we be able be selective in our hiring, but by having a full complement of staff, we will be able to eliminate most of the overtime we must pay currently. This would be a huge step forward for Hillside House.” —Client Services Director Gail Metzger

III. FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT: Provide the highest-quality, most up-to-date facilities and equipment to support the safety, health and development of our residents. This includes maintaining our current buildings, the upkeep of our grounds, all of the specialized equipment needed for the care and well-being of our residents, and our plans for growth detailed in the Community Plan.

IV. ENSURE LONG-TERM FINANCIAL HEALTH: Secure Hillside House’s financial future by growing our endowment, broadening our base of support for the Annual Fund, and careful fiscal management. In order to ensure that we can continue to provide a home for our residents, we must be vigilant in caring for the financial longevity of Hillside House. You can help us by making a donation today! Please Click Here.

	SPECIFIC FINANCIAL GOALS In 2008 we need to raise $465,000 in charitable gifts for the following designated uses:  General Operations: $ 295,000  Facilities and Equipment: $  75,000  Program Enrichment: $  65,000  Endowment: $  30,000

To make a donation today to Hillside House Click Here.

To discuss ways you can give to Hillside House, please contact Curt Lauber, Director of Development: clauber@hillsidehousesb.org, (805) 687-0788, ext. 15.