News & Events
Upcoming Events
Walk for a Healthy Community presented by Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield
Saturday, June 14, 2008 at Presque Isle State Park
Join us for the third annual Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Walk for a Healthy Community, benefiting 21 local nonprofit organizations including Erie Homes for Children and Adults, Inc. Visit www.walkforahealthycommunity.org for more information.
100% Inspection
The Department of Public Welfare has completed its 2008 inspections of all EHCA group homes. All homes received a perfect 100% score! The surveyors were very complimentary of EHCA's programs, house cleanliness, and staff training and care.
Update on state budget
When the state budget was passed in July, it included funding for the waiting list and a 3 percent COLA.
Thank you to all who wrote, e-mailed and called their legislators!
2007 Annual Fall Dinner proves to be the best yet
EHCA’s Annual Fall Dinner was held on October 25 at the Bel-Aire Clarion Hotel & Conference Center. The evening was a huge success with nearly 125 people in attendance—more than any previous year. The Annual Fall Dinner celebrates EHCA by honoring the agency’s volunteers and benefactors while featuring relevant speakers .
Twenty-five volunteers received a personalized gift as a token of appreciation for his or her work with the agency and the clients.
The John F. and Pauline Urich Jageman Fund of the Erie Community Foundation was the recipient of the Cornerstone Award for its significant financial support. The Cornerstone Award is a philanthropic award presented to a person, family, group, corporation or foundation for significant financial and/or personal support that has significantly influenced the agency. Since 2001, EHCA has received over $85,000 from the Jageman Fund for the Project First Step program.
The Founders’ Award went to Marilyn Grabill and Dorothy Wyman for each lady’s loyalty to the agency over many years. The Founders’ Award recognizes an individual’s dedication, leadership and accomplishment as a current or former EHCA Board of Directors member as he or she has demonstrated exceptional commitment to the agency over an extended period of time. Both Marilyn and Dorothy held seats on the Board of Directors and continue to serve the agency following retirement from the Board.
This year’s record breaking numbers may have been due in part to the fabulous speakers at the event. Wilson and Marlene Haller, Rita Lutz, and Joyce McDonnell all spoke of their personal connections with EHCA and shared their own emotional stories. The heart-felt testimonies given by each speaker touched the audience members and will surely make the 2007 Annual Fall Dinner remembered for years to come.
Erie County MH/MR providers hold legislative breakfast
Erie County mental health and mental retardation (MH/MR) service providers sponsored a legislative breakfast for the Erie County Legislative Delegation on Friday, June 8 at the Waterfall Restaurant. The purpose of the breakfast was to ask Erie County legislators for support of MH/MR services for Fiscal Year 2007-2008. The proposed state budget includes a 3 percent COLA for MH/MR services. It also includes funding for autism and home and community-based supports for the 3,428 individuals on the MR waiting list. For more information on the proposed state budget, log on to www.par.net.
State Representatives Flo Fabrizio, Pat Harkins and Curt Sonney, along with Peg Haas from the office of Representative John Hornman, and Patricia Norcott from the office of State Senator Jane Earll, were in attendance to listen to needs of the group. Speakers included: Wayne Koble, President-Elect of the EHCA Board of Directors and EHCA Legislative Committee chair; Miki Hammond, Safe Harbor Behavioral Health, Julie DiSanti, Lakeshore Community Services; Scott Ross, Stairways Behavioral Health; Deborah Thompson, Achievement Center Board President and parent of a consumer; Marlene and Wilson Haller, parents of a consumer; Joyce McDonnell, parent of a consumer; Tammy Armbruster and Tracey Kazmierczak on behalf of Parents as Presenters; and John Barber, J.D., President, CEO of the Dr. Gertrude A. Barber National Institute.