Uncharted Waters

Twice a year the California Alliance of Child and Family Services assembles its members for a three-day conference to address trends in the field of practice and report on public policy developments and advocacy issues. As always, the meeting was very informative and provided a great opportunity to be re-energized for what is emerging to be a significant period of change for child welfare in both California and the nation. Some would say that what we are experiencing is a sea change: a historic transformation of how we address the needs of vulnerable children and their families.

Two things are driving this transformation: a proposed realignment of funds and functions from the state to the counties and the implementation of health care reform. Realignment is a proposal by Governor Brown to shift funds from the state to the counties to provide an array of service, including child welfare and mental health services. This would free Sacramento of these responsibilities and theoretically provide for a more effective and efficient delivery of service at the local level. If the funding for this realignment is approved by the voters in a referendum in late spring, this would signal an historic shift that will challenge some of the well-established ways of providing for the state’s most vulnerable. This is fraught with risks though; it also offers opportunities to develop a better system of delivering service to the needy.

At the national level, with significant ramifications for the state, is the development of health care reform. Though there continues to be many uncertainties about this initiative, it has established some principles regarding health care that mark a new approach to the provision of health related services. The reform calls for a greater emphasis on preventive and early intervention to mitigate the need for acute care. It also encourages a more integrated model of care that does not segregate mental health from health care, in general. This is in contrast to our current system where mental health and community outreach efforts are separated from the typical health care system. Again, as with realignment, this move comes with great risks and leaves providers like Hillsides wondering how to position ourselves in this new emerging order that will govern the delivery of health related services.

These developments affirm any number of things that have been initiated at Hillsides, in particular, our preparation for national accreditation and the introduction of evidence-based programs. These initiatives help us measure and demonstrate the impact that we have on the children and families we serve.

A new order is emerging and the details are still unknown. Regardless, there are three things that continue to be essential: 1) keeping children and families safe, 2) enhancing their well-being, and 3) providing for their long-term stability. We must never lose sight of the basics as we endure the swells of a sea change!

A Valentine Heart

Visibly upset after a session with her therapist, the adolescent resident, who was in tears, came into the art shop asking to paint. She was given a blank canvas. She began to throw paint from a brush and with broad strokes formed a heart while tears continued to stream down her face. Slowly gaining her composure, she silently tended to the painting rhythmically, applying more paint in order to define the heart. Putting aside the brush, she began to intentionally “work” the paint with her fingers forming impressions that penetrated the layers of colors and gave the canvas a texture that draws you to almost feel the sinews of the heart. No longer crying, she stood back and breathed a heartfelt sigh and with that released the pain that she brought to the canvas.

This image dominates my own heart as I come to this Valentine’s Day week. Grateful that this young girl has not only the opportunity to express her aching  heart, but more importantly because she was able, in such an intense way, to release her hurt allowing her to move beyond it and heal.

What a privilege to be a witness to a child’s courage. What a gift to be party to such a transformation. How edifying to see such resiliency.

To all who have a heart for our mission here at Hillsides, Happy Valentine’s Day!

Tutors Make a Difference in One Hour

One of our oldest and most successful programs on campus involves local high school and college students tutoring our residents. In 1978 former Educational Therapist Mary Lois Nevins visited Hillsides children with a small group of Polytechnic School 11th and 12th graders. Since then, the tutor mentor program now has 55 tutors representing Polytechnic School, Mayfield, Westridge, South Pasadena High and Biola University.

These exceptional young people volunteer one or two evenings a week to work with 35 children, some of whom receive services from as many as four tutors. Focusing intensively on reading and math skills, the program goal for this year is an ambitious one – raising reading and math scores by an average 10%. Tutors also help out with test preparation, reports, special school projects, and the development of study and computer skills.

Ian Lee, Hillsides tutor coordinator, carefully recruits, screens and matches tutors with students. The match-ups have been highly successful this year – all tutors returned following the holiday break, and almost all children referred for tutoring have stayed with the program.

Anyone who has ever tutored children who struggle academically knows how difficult it can be assisting students who, in spite of their native intelligence and potential, are lacking the fundamentals, behind in everything, accustomed to low expectations and school failure. In addition, their own perception of themselves is undermined by self-blame and hopelessness regarding their education. Through their creativity and dedication, our tutors make a real difference, not only in terms of academic performance, but in other areas of the children’s lives as well.

As these relationships grow, our kids benefit from the friendship, mentoring and role-modeling provided by tutors, resulting in improved confidence and self-esteem. Hillsides’ tutoring program represents the best of what community partnerships have to offer children in care. I’d like to extend many thanks to those individuals who have been tutors, mentors or volunteers in the lives of vulnerable children. Should you be inspired to spend an hour a week or volunteer throughout the year, I encourage you to take a look at our volunteer opportunities.

If time is short and you’d like to send a special tribute to someone in honor of their volunteer work, feel free to contact our development department at (323) 255-9005. Donations in honor of someone are a great way to recognize they make a difference while you also impact a child’s life.

One Year Later

As of February 1, I have been at Hillsides a year. Though I may not be the new CEO any longer, I am still the rookie given the longevity of so many of our staff members. A year ago there were many external factors that created challenges for Hillsides. At that time, although the reimbursement for the residential program had improved, mental health funding was the subject of a “transformation” in order to account for a short fall in public revenues. Throughout this period, our education services continue to be underfunded. All of this, together with the uncertainties that come with the introduction of a new executive, provided for significant change unlike anything that Hillsides has experienced in many years.

 A year later the agency has seen its financial position improve, its capacity to address the needs of staff restored, and services strengthened. Today, the specific challenges have changed, but continue to be mostly related to inadequate funding. The agency is nevertheless well equipped to address these challenges and, as we have in the past, continue to provide extraordinary care to very vulnerable children and their families.

As I look back on the accomplishments of the last year, the one that stands out is our ability to maintain quality care in spite of the financial constraints within which we labor. This accomplishment is a testament to the dedication and resourcefulness of the organization to never lose sight of our ultimate goal: creating safe places for the children and families we serve.

What has been accomplished is not only a reflection of my leadership, but rather the result of the successful partnerships that advance our mission--partnerships with dedicated staff, with struggling families, with underfunded public entities and, as always, with a generous and faithful donor community.

As I begin my second year at Hillsides, I am grateful for this extraordinary opportunity and continue to count on so many allies to fulfill our historic mission. Thank you!