Annual Report Archives

IN THIS REPORT

• 2007/2008 Honorees
• Kevin’s Story — Making good progress

A printable version of this annual report is available 2007/2008 Annual Report.pdf

THE YEAR IN REVIEW
2007 | 2008 Blind Childrens Center

This, our sixty-ninth year, has been filled with hopes, dreams and a whole lot of planning.

Expanding our facilities and services (beginning in 2008) will enable us to continue our approach of creating an inclusive environment that integrates blind, visually impaired and sighted children. As always, we will incorporate parental involvement and expert guidance during every phase of program design and implementation.

The dedication and enthusiasm of our Board of Directors, volunteers, supporters, and staff continue to lead and inspire us. We are exceedingly grateful to have their support as we gradually add first, second and third grade.

The 70th Anniversary of the Blind Childrens Center in October 2008 is anticipated with excitement, promise and celebration. As we expand our program and facility, we offer hope and the promise of a better future to the children and families we serve.

Education & Family Services

• 69 students and their families received direct services from Blind Childrens Center professional staff:

27 children were enrolled in the Preschool.

16 children were enrolled in the Kindergarten Program.

17 families were served in the Infant Program.

56 visits by the family worker, infant teacher and specialists were made to the infant families at home, in the hospital, doctor visits, IFSPs (Individual Family Service Plans), hearings and mediations, and other professional appointments.

63 families, in addition to those enrolled, were served by the family services professionals.

• 7 children graduated and professional assistance was provided for placement.

• 32 children participated in the afternoon program.

• 16 children came early for morning Day Care.

• 60 pre-IEPs and 60 IEP meetings, transition meetings and IEP amendment meetings were conducted.

• Infant, preschool and kindergarten classrooms were more inclusive, incorporating multiply impaired children with peers of the same age.

• Concentrated literacy training was part of all activities for the preschool and kindergarten children, both in braille and print.

• Infant Massage training was provided for five weeks.

• Infant Program Family Circles, funded by the Atlas Family Foundation, held 9 family clinics for specific training, took field trips, and celebrated with the Annual Family Picnic.

• Parent Groups, led by our Social Worker, included regular meetings two days each week, where they discussed a wide array of family concerns and issues (Lost Dreams & Growth; Knowledge is Power; Change and Transitions; Vision to the Future; Separation; Assertive Communication). Speakers were invited and we often collaborated with the community.

• Family Workers coordinated services for children with special health care needs in the community, and coordinated opportunities for parents to participate in off-site training, often obtaining scholarships. They provided assistance, resources, support and follow-up on medical, social service appointments, meetings with teachers/families, and Regional Centers for children/family services.

• Self-Enhancement family group participated in activities to promote interpersonal development through visits to the Museum of Science & Industry, Wax Museum, Guinness Museum, Farmer’s Market and the popular Creative Memories activity.

• 103 parents or extended family members were served through parent consultations and group discussions.

• Two Braille seminars were held for the parents.

• The Music Specialist provided unique opportunities for the children to work with various instruments and mediums. She wrote new songs for specific children and groups to enhance their learning.

• Weekly staff trainings were provided to enhance knowledge and build skills such as relationship building, early childhood environment, speech & language strategies, orientation & mobility, and play skills.

• Monthly staff workshops addressed new skills for assessment and intervention using a new tool adopted nationwide.

Community Education & Services

• 4 PowerPoint presentations were developed for outreach and training.

• 192 parents, professionals, and community members (outside the Blind Childrens Center) were served by the Education and Family Services staff through 24 presentations. Some included: Behavior Management; Coping with Disabilities; IEP Training; Living with Epilepsy; People First Language; Special Needs Trust; Fiesta Educativa; The Power of Words; Anger Management; and In-Home Support Services.

• 420 educators, professionals, service providers and parents were reached through Information Fairs, Fiesta Educativa, CAPVI, NAPVI, Network, and West Ed Early Start.

• 6 graduate and undergraduate students from local colleges, universities and high school students, some Blind Childrens Center graduates, visited for observation and training.

• 38 Pediatric Residents from Childrens Hospital made regular monthly observations.

• 2,643 educational and training publications were distributed throughout the world.

Volunteer Support

• 4 college and high school volunteers and four Parent Co-op volunteers provided essential assistance with all seven classrooms.

• Parents donated $6,000 through a variety of fund raisers. They represented the Center at television stations, radio stations, conferences and workshops.

• Junior Mentors, Carlos and Karen, both 15 years old and Blind Childrens Center graduates, along with Karen’s friend, Ann, also visually impaired, held open discussions with parents and staff and worked regularly with the children during their school breaks. They were especially helpful with brailling for the kindergarten classes.

• Delta Gamma collegians from USC, UCLA, Pepperdine, Long Beach, Loyola Marymount, Chapman, Riverside, and San Diego and alumnae from Los Angeles, Glendale/Burbank, San Fernando Valley and South Bay volunteered for special events and children’s activities.

• 70 volunteers from Pepperdine University and 12 students from USC worked at the facility all day on two Saturdays.

• 12 volunteers from Southern California Edison spent a Saturday working on the grounds and event preparation.

• Six volunteers participated regularly with the children (daily, weekly, or during the summer program), with event and facility projects.

• More than 300 volunteers were recruited to help at the golf tournament and marathon.

Field Trips

• Field trips and special activities for all children included: LAPD Centurions’ picnic; pumpkin patch visit; L.A. Marathon; Adventure City theme park; family & staff barbecues provided by Jim Amormino and Angie Roman; Braille Institute Library; Cahuenga Branch Library; Archlight Bookstore; Los Angeles Zoo; KidSpace; Descanso Gardens; Huntington Gardens; the Marionette Theater; and a visit to our special friend Cuca when she was ill.

Conferences, Workshops & Outreach

• 21 professional conferences and workshops were attended by education and family services staff. Some included: CTEVH (California Transcribers and Educators of the Visually Handicapped); The Southern California Network Meeting; IEP Training; Challenging Behaviors in Young Children; Parents’ Place; Administration and Management; Mindfulness and Psychotherapy; Advocacy; Creating Family Through Education, Growth, and Change (3 days); Zero to Three Conference; Respect Ability; Emergency Preparedness for Children with Special Needs; Literacy & Learning; California Preschool Learning Foundation; Women in Power; Providing Services to Young Children; and Domestic Violence.

• Dr. Armenta-Schmitt participated with Dr. Deborah Chen at CSUN as an advisory member on the Early Childhood Special Education Committee.

Administration & Computer Upgrades

• A five-year review was conducted by California Community Licensing. A favorable report was received and there were no citations or mention of infractions.

• Electronic upgrades provided more efficient work stations for the children and staff.

• Seminars attended by administrators and supervisors: Harassment/Lawful Workplace; HR Compliance; and Nonprofit Forum.

• Professional Boards/Committees: Staff members served on the following: Vision Network Board; NAPVI; CSUN Advisory Committee for Early Childhood Second Language Acquisition/Special Education; Atlas Foundation Professional and Supervisory Group; IDA (Infant Development Association); Zero to Three; Lions Club; Rotary Club; Neil Bogart Fund Auxiliary; LAPD Centurions; VisionServe Alliance; and Delta Gamma.

• Executive Director Midge Horton and administrative staff made 62 presentations to visitors, community clubs, organizations, and businesses.

Facility

• Phase I and Phase II were designed for the expansion project. Special thank you to Michael Aquino and William Hefner Architecture.

• The Building Committee was formed to work with the architect and contractor.

Development, Public Relations, Research

• Agency expenses increased .8% over 2007.

• Light the Way Circle increased membership to 120, realizing over $300,000.

• Foundation and Corporate funding accounted for 38% of fund raising. New grant requests were submitted to The Yahoo Foundation, The Green Foundation, The May and Stanley Smith Foundation, The Norton Simon Foundation, The California Community Foundation and Capital Group. Capital Group provided a grant of $5,000, Green Foundation provided $30,000 and California Community Foundation confirmed a grant of $100,000.

• Special events support increased 23% (for a total of $588,881) and accounted for 45% of fund raising. Special events included the Roddy Hiatt Golf Tournament; Les Marraines Halloween Luncheon and Holiday Party; Help Youth Golf Tournament; The Gibney Challenge Longest Day of Golf; LA Marathon; John Hancock Life Insurance Presents the Blind Childrens Center Tom Sullivan Celebrity Golf Classic; and LAPD Centurions football games.

• Bequests totaled $33,635 accounting for 3% of Direct Support.

• Annual Giving support accounted for 14% of fund raising.

• The 2008 Blind Childrens Center Tom Sullivan Celebrity Golf Classic, sponsored by John Hancock Insurance, net revenues increased 57% for a total of $168,591.

• Longest Day of Golf, sponsored by The Gibney Family Foundation and supported by our incredible volunteer golfers, revenue increased 34% for a grand total of $106,951.

• The Roddy Hiatt Golf Tournament raised $40,000 for the children.

• Help Youth Charities golf and rummage sale raised $5,500.

• Les Marraines continued their remarkable efforts raising $28,647.

• LA Marathon/Team Blind Children support increased 42%, raising nearly $71,244.

• Board member, Larry Meyer, continued his remarkable Marathon journey, which took him from Antarctica to Mount Kilimanjaro to the Great Wall of China. He completed all seven continents and finished the year in Boston (his 50th marathon).

• Centurion activities included the family & staff picnic, 6 games, and their 30th anniversary dinner. A gift of $5,000 was presented.

• North Hollywood Lions donated $6,000; L.A. Host Lions contributed $5,000 through their Lark Ellen Charities; Northwest Glendale Lions donated $1,000; and Montebello Lions brought 25 members and guests to dinner and donated $1,350.

• Rotary Club of Los Angeles donated $10,000, and Rotary Club of Granada Hills donated $200.

• Hermosa Beach Kiwanis donated $1,000.

• Outside consultants were interviewed and Benevolent Vision was hired to conduct the Capital Campaign.

• All graphics were provided in-house for special events, direct mail pieces, brochures, newsletters, website and PowerPoint presentations.

• Media: parent interview on Azteca resulted in a pledge of $5,000, KLVE provided 2 weeks of Marathon mention and a runner.

• The newsletter was sent to 4,000 friends.

• Research Project: “Optic Nerve Blood Flow and Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness in Patients with Unilateral Amblyopia” conducted by Noa Ela-Dalmon, M.D. at Jules Stein Eye Institute, was sponsored.

Financial Information

Administration, Development, and Public Information costs are supported by the Investment Account.

Audited Financial Statements are available upon request.

Thank you for being a vital part of our success.

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