A New Year - A New Member of Hillcroft's Family
by Troy Edrington
When you are asked repeatedly to do something - in fact, when you have been asked over a series of several years - maybe 2008 is the year to finally do it. That is the situation with Hillcroft's move to Johnson County. Hillcroft has successfully partnered with Cardinal Management Services to serve their clients in our day programs for 20 years. The one county that Hillcroft had not served for Cardinal was Johnson County. However, this year was the year to make that happen.
An agreement was reached in the fall of 2007 and the search began for a facility to accommodate both the individuals who needed the service and a space large enough to meet work and production demands. After the search was completed, a lease was signed and the new workshop is located at 400 Forsythe Rd in Franklin, Ind. There are 18,000 square feet in this building, which is more than enough to successfully meet everyone's needs and have a successful production area. The space will also allow for expansion to serve additional clients. The building required some renovation and everyone anxiously waited for an official opening day.
While renovations were taking place, Paul Whittington, Vice President of Cannon Industries worked very hard hiring the staff necessary to implement the programs and production for this new venture. Timing seemed to be everything, and having the staff trained and the building ready for occupancy was no easy challenge. On January 7, 2008 all of the hard work finally paid off with an exciting opening day.
The first day was filled with anticipation as new staff assumed their duties and 48 clients began services at the Franklin facility. To say the first day was hectic would be accurate. Many people had to adjust to a new environment, and staff had to set the pace for this endeavor to be a good one. However, over the course of three or four days everyone seemed to find a rhythm, and today the environment at this site is very positive. Everyone is busy, productive and it looks and feels like a wonderful place to work when you walk in the building.
All of this was made possible through the efforts of many individuals. First, Hillcroft would like to thank Cardinal for making this opportunity available and to the Cardinal staff who assisted us throughout this process. Their partnership with Hillcroft is appreciated very much. The mission that Cardinal and Hillcroft live by is truly all about serving individuals with developmental disabilities in the most positive way possible. Thanks also goes to the following Hillcroft staff: Michael Whitlock and Troy Edrington for completing all of the intakes for Johnson County, Jackie Thomason for assisting with set up and Paul Whittington for all of his hard work at both the physical plant and getting staffing arranged. This project was a team effort, and once again we have proven that Hillcroft works well as a team.
Hillcroft's Accomplishments from 2007
by Clint Bolser, CEO
This past Christmas Janet Milazzo, Executive Vice President of Programs, sent a memo to the staff reminding us to be proud of the wonderful things that were accomplished in year 2007. As I was reading over this memo, it really put it in perspective for me that this agency walks the walk. Our staff are diligent in providing outstanding services, focusing on making extraordinary differences in the lives of people we serve and work hard to make growth opportunities successful.
I am extremely proud of the people we serve, the staff, and the Board of Directors. As I share with you this memo, be proud of Hillcroft and what this agency does for People with disabilities in Indiana. Thank you all for your continued support, and I encourage all of you to come and visit.
1) We increased the number of behavior management clients we serve due to our great reputation for delivering productive service.
2) We met several vendors needs in Cannon, which led to several new work opportunities for the people that come to work everyday.
3) We made a difference in the lives of many children, having served many "higher" needs children throughout this year.
4) We re-modeled a building to meet the needs of the VSA arts of Indiana program.
5) We were asked to expand into Johnson County and the Anderson area due to the excellent services we provice.
6) We successfully completed the agency Bureau of Quality Improvement Services survey.
7) We secured the state use contract to clean and maintain the new Pike Creek Rest Parks on I-69.
8) We obtained Vocational Rehabilitation grants to continue and expand employment training and placement to students and adults with disabilities.
9) We were awarded the Delaware County Tuberculosis Association grant once again, which will be the down payment on another agency van to assist our very successful OBRA program.
10) We successfully served one of the most challenging individuals to ever exit Fort Wayne Developmental Center. This person went from hundreds of incidents in a month to having minimal incidents and actually engaging in community activities.
11) We lovingly assisted two clients facing catastrophic illnesses and found ways to help them cope as well as solutions that met their needs.
12) Best Buddies is now under our consultation and has ignited a passion in our clients, and they are truly enjoying their buddies.
13) Adult Daily Living had transitioned with the teen and adult program at Isanogel and is more popular than ever - giving clients a much needed recreational outlet.
14) Isanogel ran their first summer camp sessions under our direction. We received many compliments and positive strokes from clients, families, and providers - so much so that we have been asked to run a day camp for children with Autism this summer.
15) We implemented a Corporate Compliance Program that has made us better and will continue to do so.
16) We made 47 of our residential clients have a merrier Christmas by being their "Secret Santa." We made several more clients happy by just being there for the holidays when no one else was.
17) We hosted "Icicles at Isanogel," which was a holiday festival benefiting future activities at Isanogel.
18) Everyone working in Cannon received paychecks on a regular basis. Cannon clients learned to perform new jobs and increase production.
19) One of our OBRA clients could no longer see their mother who lives in Indianapolis. Their staff arranged visits, and this client now happily visits mom.
20) Administrative staff continued to support all of our programs even though our numbers grew and we expanded into other areas.
21) We awarded two staff 25-year longevity awards.
22) You all understood the small things that your clients needed to make them happy, fulfilled and productive, which means you all understood the big things too. You soothed when people needed to be soothed, you assisted when people needed to be assisted and you pushed when people needed to be pushed.
Thank you for your extraordinary work. You make a difference in the lives of the people we serve through your passion, committment.
Hillcroft Culture
by Troy Edrington
Spring time is like waking up on a Saturday morning after sleeping in a bit, sitting up, stretching your arms and wondering what you can do today. The temperatures begin to climb, grass starts to grow, birds and insects scurry everywhere. It seems that everything comes to life.
This is a great time to look back at what we have done over the winter and what we have to look forward to in the future. This winter at Hillcroft has been a busy and exciting one. We have expanded our services into new areas, both geographically and in the array of services.
Now, we can really soar into our new areas with gusto knowing that the Winter thaw has lifted and Spring has sprung. Like a growing child we have a bigger footprint this spring than we did last fall, and though we may stumble here and there, we can't wait to get out there and make great things happen.
Teen and Adult Program
by Rita Mohler
It's Monday night...do you know where the fun is? For many the fun can be found at Isanogel for Hillcroft's Teen and Adult weekly activity.
The Teen and Adult program was started in March 2007. Hillcroft joined in partnership with BSU's Student Volunteer Services who help support the ADL staff with the program's many activities. Activities include dances, bingo, pumpkin carving, crafts and ceramics. The intent is for the activity to not only be fun, but a great way for clients to interact with their peers in a social setting.
Angie McKillip, an ADL Instructor at Hillcroft, said that the program has changed and expanded in the past year. Snacks are now provided at all activities, and the program has grown from three monthly activities to an activity every Monday excluding holidays. Now that the program runs through the summer when BSU students are not available, volunteers come from Hillcroft's OBRA and Supported Living staff.
Angie stated that attendance has increased in the last year from 25-30 to nearly 50 participants, many who do not have an affiliation with Hillcroft. Angie said that this was a real goal for us, getting our program out there to people who otherwise have very few recreational opportunities. Although the most popular activities are the dances, Rachel Nye, a participant of most of the activities, "loves the bingo games because she gets to win prizes."
When asked if the program was a success, April Walker and Randii Hill, ADL Instructors at Hillcroft, both stated that the program was rewarding because of the teamwork that the Teen and Adult program promotes and the great feedback they get from the clients.
Caring Art-a-Thon
The Caring Art-a-Thon is a fundraiser that will allow the public to sponsor a mural that will remain permanent at Hillcroft's VSA Building, 202 E. Haines St., Muncie. This is a space dedicated to VSA programming for the Muncie District. The public is invited to sponsor a child for a 30-minute slot while they express themselves through paint. There are two options available for sponsorship: you may purchase tickets to paint the mural - $10/ticket or a give a flat donation. The funds that are raised are going to the Caring Arts Program: developed to give children, K – Grade 5, with emotional disabilities and autism the necessary creative outlets and opportunities for social interaction in a safe environment. East Central Indiana's own artist, M.K. Watkins, will guide the sponsored children as they create a mural of memories at the VSA Building.
The Caring Art-a-Thon will be held on Saturday, April 19 at 202 E. Haines Street from 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Please contact Pam Nicholas, Grants/VSA Manager, with questions at 281-6912 or via email at pnicholas@hillcroft.org.
Isanogel Camperships
To help campers this year, Hillcroft is raising money to cover part of the campers' fees.
Anyone can donate money to help a camper pay for his or her summer camp experience. If you'd like to contribute to a campership, please contact Christy Jones by calling 765-281-6912 or by emailing her at cjones@hillcroft.org.
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4th Annual Golf Tournament
When: Friday, May 16
Where: The Players Club in Muncie
What: A Fundraiser for Isanogel Imrovements
Time: Registration at 12:00 p.m.; Shotgun Start at 1:00 p.m.
Info.: For more information, please contact Brenda Williamson at 765-281-6912 or bwilliamson@hillcroft.org.
To download the registration form, please visit www.hillcroft.org.
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