VISTA HILL FOUNDATION

Direct beneficiaries per year: In 2017, nearly 27,000 individuals benefitted from Vista Hill’s services offered at program sites throughout San Diego County.

Programs: Stein education centers: the education program serves special education students 5-22 years of age and operates at two campus sites in san diego. The program serves an average of 150 students with developmental disabilities such as autism as well as students with emotional disorders and behavioral concerns. An intensive student to staff ratio is used, involving special education teachers, speech therapists, occupational therapists, counselors, psychologists and other aide level staff. The programs are certified by the california department of education as non-public schools for special education. Referrals are made by school districts that contract for the special education services. Special care services is an after-school socialization resource for participants with developmental disabilities who are between the ages of 4. 9 and 22 years of age. The services are designed to develop acceptable behaviors through leisure time activities, recreation and socialization skills appropriate to the person's age and functioning level. The program is licensed by community care licensing. Admission is open to individuals who are ineligible for service by other day care or after school programs due to disability conditions or behavior problems. The adult education program is classified as a behavior management day program. It is designed to serve developmentally disabled individuals with challenging behavioral issues requiring an intensive level of support. The employment opportunities program serves consumers who can benefit from training in community integrated environments with a less intensive staff ratio. Both programs serve adults from 18 to 64 years of age. Programs are licensed by the department of social services. Referrals are through the san diego regional center and funded by the same agency.

the vista hill learning assistance center (vhlac) offers uniquely designed school- and home-based assessment, case management, therapy and other mental health interventions for students at risk of out-of-home placement. Through successful coordination of effort from the student, parent, teacher and vhlac clinician, we maximize the student's ability to succeed in school, at home, and in their local community.

the families served at parentcare are at high risk for child abuse, domestic violence and homelessness, and many have a dual diagnosis of mental illness. Parentcare has been recognized as a leader in the development of family-centered recovery services and is making a significant difference in preventing child abuse and reducing perinatal drug and alcohol exposure. The parentcare center plays a critical partnership role with county child protective services, drug and family courts, and local hospitals. By providing drug treatment and supporting ongoing sobriety, parentcare gives families the opportunity to make critical lifestyle changes and create a safe, nurturing home environment for their children. Treatment services are gender sensitive, focusing on the special needs of mothers who have substance abuse problems and limited parenting skills. Unique features of the parentcare model include on-site psychiatric services for clients with a co-occurring mental health disorder; the therapeutic learning center (on-site specialized pre-school and childcare services); and access to vista hill's sober living apartments, a drug-free affordable housing complex which has become an important adjunct to the parentcare center.

sober living apartments - the sober living apartments provide low cost housing to at-risk families undergoing treatment through parentcare. Juvenile court clinic - the juvenile court clinic provides transitional stabilization and linkage services to youth involved with and referred directly through the juvenile courts, probation and the child welfare services care unit. Smart care integrated behavioral health (smart care) - smart care partners with community health clinics located in ramona, julian, pauma valley and campo. The smart care team of consultants, educators and therapists work closely with primary care providers at the community health clinics to provide behavioral health screening, evaluation, medication consultation and short-term therapy. Bridges - bridges provides behavioral development curriculum to support the efforts of law enforcement, probation, and the courts when an individual is arrested for certain violations, and provides substance abuse services. Guidance progress support (gps) - gps is designed for san diego's special education students needing in-depth mental health assessment. Gps services provides an independent clinical assessment of students referred by a school district to assist in determining whether a mental disorder is interfering with a student's benefit of his or her educational experience. Mental health contracts (mhc) - mhc provides assessment, case management, and intervention with students at risk and those identified as needing special education. This program includes traditional outpatient mental health services, and integrated school-based intensive outpatient mental health programs (iop). Vhf holds contracts with school districts, which allows mhc to use classrooms at various schools to administer the program. Public education - the public education program provides guidance to participants in areas such as communication skills, effects of divorce on children, single-parenting, alcohol and drug prevention, anger management, discipline, and self-esteem building.