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Annual Report
IN THIS REPORT
THE YEAR IN REVIEW
2001 | 2002
Blind Childrens Center
It is hard to believe that another year is behind us. Once again, the Blind Childrens Center has completed an enormously successful school year.
It was a year of extraordinary achievement, due to our families’ commitment, our staff’s dedication, and our Board’s devotion. We reluctantly say farewell to loyal Board members, Elaine & Stan Barchan and Sally Gallagher. We will be joined by new board members, Victoria Haupenthal, Herb Joiner, Step Jones, Rick Plath, Jill Reinhold and Diane Lander-Simon, who will bring their expertise and leadership toward the fulfillment of the Blind Childrens Center mission.
Your individual interest and support has given us the opportunity to provide services to 109 children and their families. Whether through your gift of time, talent or funds, these accomplishments were made possible by your very personal endorsement.
PROGRAMS & SERVICES
• 109 students and their families received direct services from the Blind Childrens Center professional staff: 39 families were enrolled in the Preschool Program (all children in the preschool attend five days a week); 21 families were served in the Infant Program; 4 of the families were only seen in the home (without our intervention, they would not have received services); 49 families, in addition to those enrolled, were served through the social service department; 8 children graduated. They now have a strong foundation on which to build as they face on-going challenges in their young lives.
• Special activities for the children, in addition to the many academic experiences offered daily, included: Centurion’s picnic for the families and staff; Snow Day where 10,000 tons of snow were imported to the Blind Childrens Center; LA Marathon; St. Patrick’s Day parade through downtown Los Angeles; Adventure Land theme park; reptile visit — no education is complete without learning about a boa, an iguana, or assorted tortoises and lizards; a morning with jazz artist Kenny Rankin; special story readings with Emmitt Miller of KTLA; Nestlé & KLVE’s Vive el Sabor de tu Música campaign kickoff party, and annual holiday parties including Halloween, LAPD Holiday party, Valentine’s Party, Beeping Easter Egg Hunt, and Graduation.
• Three staff members continued participation in weekly classes for the Infant Mental Health training program at Cedars Sinai. Several presentations were developed for the staff, parents, and other professionals in the program.
• The Blind Childrens Center and Cal State Northridge partnered in a research project looking at ways to enhance communication and overall language for deaf-blind children. Through video tapes, team and family meetings, we are developing techniques to expand tactile signs for children who are deaf-blind.
• 25 graduate students from local colleges and universities interned for special education training.
• Professional conferences attended by education staff included: Zero to Three Sensory Integration workshop; Infant Development Birth to Three Conference, and CTEVH (California Transcribers and Educators of the Visually Impaired) Conference. The Blind Childrens Center was also represented at the Low Incidence Disabilities Advocacy Committee.
• Workshops for social service staff included: Vision Development and Assessment 0 – 3; Sibshops; new IEP format; Inclusion; Legal Requirements & Implementation of Natural Environments; Anger, Trauma, Rage; Sign Language for Pre-School to Kindergarten; Working with Latino Families; Literacy Development; Recognizing Intelligence; Toddler Development: Supporting Children with Special Needs; and Confident Parenting Program.
• 14 outreach presentations, both for professionals and the general community, were delivered by the social service staff.
• Visitors from throughout the state and Texas came to observe our work with young children who are blind.
• Over 40 Pediatric Residents made regular monthly observations.
• Renovation of the playhouse was completed to provide space for a new classroom.
• 2,977 publications were distributed.
• Teacher Marion Yoshida celebrated her 30th graduation class at the Blind Childrens Center. Congratulations!
DEVELOPMENT & ADMINISTRATIVE
• The Light the Way Circle grew to 90 members contributing over $170,000.
• Grant funding from foundations, corporations, civic and employee groups accounted for 55% of our fund raising budget.
• Beverly Hills BMW increased giving and commitment through Title Sponsorship of the golf tournament and purchased television ad time.
• Special events continued with the Roddy Hiatt Golf Tournament; Select Office Solutions Golf Tournament; Les Marraines Luncheon; VIP Golf Reception; The Tom Sullivan Blind Childrens Center Celebrity Golf Classic; LA Marathon, and Centurions football games.
• Special events funds accounted for 32% of our fund raising budget.
• A new PSA was developed with total support from Director, Graham Streeter and Producer, Alex Lebos. Special thanks to all the professionals who worked so hard on this project.
• A new informational video was produced by Bill Sherwood. Special thank you!
• Our new web site was introduced, offering information and interactive opportunities.
• Research projects addressing severe visual impairment in young children were sponsored at Children’s Hospital Philadelphia and The Cole Eye Institute in Cleveland.
2001/2002 FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Thank you for being a vital part of our success.
Previous annual report: 2000/2001