Blind Childrens Center

4120 Marathon Street, Los Angeles, California 90029 (323)664-2153

A family-centered agency serving children with visual impairments

IN THIS REPORT

• Gabriel — An inquisitive and imaginative little boy

THE YEAR IN REVIEW 2000 | 2001 Blind Childrens Center

This has been a significant year of growth for The Blind Childrens Center. New challenges and opportunities continually present themselves. The leadership team, both Board of Directors and staff, made effective and well-balanced decisions which guided the Center through a record year.

The number of children and their families needing services continues to escalate. The Center is always strengthening its ability to assure delivery of the highest quality services and programs.

It is our most wonderful donors who deserve special recognition. Through your substantial generosity, more children and families received state-of-the-art services. Below are just a few achievements of the past year.

PROGRAMS & SERVICES

• 128 students and their families received direct services from The Blind Childrens Center professional staff: 38 families were enrolled in the Preschool Program; 25 families were served in the Infant Program, including home-based; 65 families, in addition to those enrolled, were served through the social service department.

• Three additional classes were added to the Infant Program.

• 18 children graduated.

• Three staff members participated in weekly classes for an Infant Mental Health training program at Cedars Sinai. Information was shared and implemented into the Center’s programs. We were profoundly honored to have been selected as part of this program.

• Parents, teachers and administrators were interviewed by California State University Northridge for development of a video addressing a model program with comprehensive services.

• California State University, Los Angeles, selected The Blind Childrens Center for a research project addressing services needed for Latino families of visually impaired children.

• A team of the Center’s professionals presented an all-day in-service to the Ventura County Early Intervention program staff.

• 30 graduate students from local universities interned for special education training.

• Pediatric residents from Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, Jules Stein and Cedars Sinai made regular monthly observations. More than 40 doctors were introduced to the Center to learn about early intervention and the unique aspects of our program.

• Training for social service staff, with certification, included: infant massage instruction, Assessment in Lifestyle Coaching, Domestic Violence, and Law & Ethics.

• 29 workshops or outreach events were given by social service staff, including: the Individual Education Plan (IEP) Process, Advocacy & Special Education Rights, Behavior Management, The Family Perspective, The Impact of a New Diagnosis, and many more.

DEVELOPMENT

• Special events included: Roddy Hiatt Golf Tournament, Select Office Solutions Golf Tournament, Les Marraines Luncheon, Longest Day of Golf, VIP Golf Reception, The Tom Sullivan Blind Childrens Center Celebrity Golf Classic, LA Marathon, LAPD Centurions Football Games, Long Beach Marathon and A2Z Two Lane Highway Luncheon and Concert. Six blind professional golfers brought an especially exciting addition to the Golf Classic.

• Beverly Hills BMW provided Title Sponsorship of the Golf Classic and purchased television ad time.

• Support from individuals continued to grow through annual support, special events, and the Light the Way Circle, accounting for 59% of direct support.

• Light the Way Circle membership grew to 85 members contributing over $124,000. Thank you members!

• Grant funding remains stable providing 25% of the Center’s fund raising.

• Structure of our new web site was completed and will go on line in the fall.

• Dr. Toni Marcy, former Blind Childrens Center Child Development Specialist, was honored with a mini-reunion.

• The Board of Directors launched a comprehensive Planned Giving Program. For more information contact Muriel Scharf, Director of Development.

• A Charitable Gift Annuities plan was adopted through California Community Foundation.

2000/2001 FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ADMINISTRATIVE

• Ten staff members celebrated 10 plus years of service, three celebrated 20 plus years, and Nurse Marjorie celebrated 32 years. Thank you all for your dedication.

• The first children’s computer and braille printer workstation was established.

• Computer equipment, software and network systems were upgraded.

• A new phone system was installed with voice mail and conferencing features.

• 5,000 publications were distributed worldwide to families and professionals.

Thank you for being a vital part of our success.

Previous annual report: 1999/2000

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