HILLSIDE HOUSE

We have sustained Hillsides core mission to provide a residential and therapeutic learning community for 59 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Our residents come to us with a wide range of intellectual and developmental disabilities. We specialize in serving those who have medical conditions that require regular nursing care. Our commitment is to provide the highest quality of life for each resident, offering a broad range of therapeutic services to help them achieve the greatest level of their abilities. 24 hour nursing care is essential for our residents to sustain and enjoy life.It has been a year of achievements and challenges and fun at Hillside in 2023Our Program Department continues to provide continuous active treatment to all of our residents on a daily basis. Physical, Occupational and Speech therapies as well as recreational activities are offered throughout the day to those who are unable to attend day programs on a full time basis. The day programs are slowly re-opening providing residents with meaningful activities out of the facility. In addition to the regular therapies and activities held at Hillside, outside entertainment coming in to the facility has resumed. Assistance League Bingo, Move Santa Barbara for bike rides, the Rhythmic Arts Project and friends and family are able to come inside again to visit and enhance the lives of the residents. Participation in Walk N Roll and visits to the Grace Fisher Inclusive Arts Clubhouse were highlights of community activities the residents participated in. Participation in these activities was enhanced by our ability to transport residents in our new van funded by the Santa Barbara Womens Fund. Facilities & DietaryOur facilities department has continued to work hard this year to maintain the building and grounds, updated resident rooms, back yard grounds beautification are a few of the highlights. An extended parking area by Harmony House has eased crowding, an arborist was engaged to trim trees and an Eagle Scout project fence enhanced the front entrance. All staff who use computers at Hillside completed a required cybersecurity training. Shining Lights on Abilities was again a hit with the residents and the Santa Barbara community. The County Fire Department conducted, and Hillside passed, the annual fire inspection. The Dietary Department continues to focus on serving an abundance of fresh fruit and vegetables and encouraging the residents to make healthy choices. With day programs opening the department is tasked with preparing meals for those remaining at Hillside and packing lunches to go for those going to day programs. We continue to work with two food vendors to ensure we receive the best prices on goods we purchase. The department has put on two barbeques for staff, great food and much appreciation from those who attended.Nursing:Our nursing department continues to provide 24 hour nursing care to our medically fragile residents. Our goal continues to be setting state of the art standards in an efficient and pleasant work environment. Our focus continues to be on recruitment and retention of licensed nurses and certified nursing assistants and creating a positive organizational culture based on improvement and success. The Covid State of Emergency has officially ended on the state and federal levels. We have had two employees take advantage of our Tuition Assistance Program and become Certified Nursing Assistants. The Director of Nursing and Administrator continue to work on recruitment attending job fairs and graduation events at nursing schools. The Director of Nursing office has been updated and relocated to be closer to the nursing station.