2024 Community Impact
From Our CEO and Board Chair
Throughout 2024, we’ve been so grateful for the support that has enabled Easterseals Northern California to continue making profound differences in the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their families. With this responsibility in mind, our goals remain set on addressing critical service gaps and expanding our reach to meet the evolving needs of our community.
One of the most significant trends we observe is the increasing longevity of adults with I/DD. Thanks to advancements in healthcare and supportive legislation, individuals are living longer, healthier lives. Projections indicate that the number of people with I/DD over the age of 60 will nearly double by 2030, underscoring the urgent need for comprehensive, lifelong support. Considering that 1 in 6 children are currently being diagnosed with a developmental disability, we remain strong in our goal to provide a continuum of care across the lifespan, ensuring individuals and families receive the support they need at every stage of life.
We’ve made significant strides through our focus on:
- Lifelong Services: Offering support from birth through adulthood and into older age.
- Individualized Care: Tailoring our services to meet the unique goals, cultural backgrounds, and individual needs of each client and their family.
- Family-Centered Support: Providing broad support to families, including stress reduction resources, burnout prevention strategies, and caregiver/family coaching.
To put that in context, last year we provided just over 216,000 hours of service to nearly 5,000 families. That translates to about 590 hours of care, treatment and support every single day during the year. We also saw nearly 10% revenue growth when compared to 2023.
We remained committed to innovation and expansion, creating partnerships with new funders and launching diagnostic services to broaden access to crucial support. These efforts, among many more, are designed to meet families where they are and provide the resources they need to thrive. Our customer satisfaction scores have improved year over year compared to 2023 and average 4.5 out of 5, reflecting the value and impact of our services on individuals and families.
Our growth in 2024 has been underpinned by our continued commitment to our dedicated, highly skilled, and exceptional teams. In the last year, we’ve grown our team by 28%; we’re proud to say that Easterseals Northern California has 280 employees, and we expect that number to grow to over 300 by the end of the year. As our employee base grows, so too does our ability to deliver services to more people who need them.
We look forward to 2025 with equal measures of excitement and determination. This year, as part of our continued commitment to serving the I/DD community, our focus will be on:
- Executing with excellence
- Continuing to cultivate healthy and high-performing teams
- Scaling for impact
- Advocating for what we believe in
We could not have done this without you – your generosity and partnership are key to our success. Thank you for being on this journey with us. We invite you to read on and learn more about the impact we are making together.
Your Generosity in Action
The work we do across our Northern California counties is made possible thanks to our generous supporters, and reflects the impact the community has in making the world a more equitable place for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Just as our clients and families choose their path, you’ve also chosen yours – one of giving and inclusion.
Together, we can close the gaps in service for families throughout their lifespans to provide the kind of care they need.
Every dollar raised stays in Northern California in support of our participants.
What We Do
For nearly 100 years, Easterseals Northern California has provided services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), and their families, so they can choose their own path. Annually, we provide over 215,000 hours of direct service, benefiting individuals and families across Northern California. We are reimagining how care and support can be better connected to fill gaps in human services across an individual’s life span.
Behavioral Health
Behavioral Health includes services that support a wide range of diagnoses, such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), Down syndrome, Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD), profound intellectual multiple disabilities (PIMD) and more. Featuring several clinical service lines like applied behavior analysis (ABA) and Social Skills Groups, clients and their caregivers can strengthen skills, build confidence and achieve their individual goals.
Early Intervention
Our Early Intervention program offers comprehensive, research-based services for children from birth to 5 years of age who are diagnosed with a developmental delay or who may be considered at risk of delay. Our program uses a family-directed model to structure and guide care. With families being the most essential component of a child’s development, we work alongside them to provide individualized treatment in natural environments.
Adult Services
The Kaleidoscope Community Adult Program offers specific programming for adults with I/DD, helping focus on their interests in areas such as independent living skills, recreation and leisure, health and wellness, socialization and employment readiness. Through activities like volunteerism, cooking, golfing, gardening and more, participants are grounded in routine while still introduced to new opportunities in lifelong learning.
Respite Services
Our Respite Services provide caregivers with the opportunity to take a break, knowing their loved ones are being well-cared for in a safe environment. Caregivers get designated time to recharge and rejuvenate, visit with friends, tend to another dependent’s activities or have a date night with their significant other. Participants enjoy various activities with kind and compassionate staff, including outings in the community, visiting movie theaters and restaurants, homework help and more.
Behavioral Health Services
What We Do
A common treatment option for individuals who have autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) – a scientific discipline focusing on meaningful changes in behavior through the analysis, design, implementation and evaluation of social and other environment modifications. ABA helps people in many ways, like increasing communication, social skills, and self-reliance; improving ability to follow instruction, making tasks more enjoyable and manageable; and decreasing challenging behaviors, such as self-injury or outbursts.
We offer center-based and in-home ABA services in both 1:1 and group settings, interest-based Social Skills Groups, as well as Caregiver-Led ABA services to coach caregivers in the principles of ABA to empower them with expertise in their loved one’s treatment. We also provide several service lines focusing on communication, social skills and self-directed plans to improve quality of life. Proven to be highly effective and flexible, these treatment models support families with busy schedules, complex diagnoses or those looking to work on goals outside of standard session times.
What We Accomplished
In June, we opened a clinic in San Jose to support an identified gap in the community for clinic-based services. We have since started 21 new Social Skills Groups and Group ABA cohorts, serving over 500 clients in the San Jose area.
We also launched Diagnostic Evaluation services in May, which allow families to seek and receive assessments for diagnosis – bringing relief to caregivers in need of support. Our team of diagnostic evaluators has grown to 2 full-time psychologists and has served 109 clients!
Another great accomplishment was re-opening our in-person Group Care services at all of our clinics, resulting in 73 new groups being formed and services being delivered to over 250 new clients.
Expanding our services and funding sources will allow us to support 900 more clients by the end of 2025!
“Delivering our services to clients and families means offering hope, support, and the tools they need to thrive, transforming lives and building strong, more resilient communities.”
– Jamie, Care Team Manager
Meet Paige
Paige is a Diagnostic Evaluator on the Easterseals Northern California team and regards it as an incredibly rewarding experience. “As one of the earlier providers families see on their journey to figuring out how to best support their children, I also know that this can be a time when families are feeling vulnerable, anxious or overwhelmed,” says Paige. As she and her team enter sessions with the commitment to do right by each child, she finds that building rapport and connections with families is vital to understanding each child’s strengths and challenges. “Even if diagnoses are hard to hear, parents are appreciative and ask great questions about supports and interventions and next steps.”
It’s that approach at the first meeting that begins our customized treatment for each unique client – an approach that ESNorCal values and prioritizes. No two individuals are identical, and because of that, Paige has tailored her work to address the unique needs for the children and teens she refers. “I have a deep appreciation of knowing that my role is vital to opening the door to life-changing interventions for children and their families.”
Paige is a Diagnostic Evaluator on the Easterseals Northern California team and regards it as an incredibly rewarding experience. “As one of the earlier providers families see on their journey to figuring out how to best support their children, I also know that this can be a time when families are feeling vulnerable, anxious or overwhelmed,” says Paige. As she and her team enter sessions with the commitment to do right by each child, she finds that building rapport and connections with families is vital to understanding each child’s strengths and challenges. “Even if diagnoses are hard to hear, parents are appreciative and ask great questions about supports and interventions and next steps.”
It’s that approach at the first meeting that begins our customized treatment for each unique client – an approach that ESNorCal values and prioritizes. No two individuals are identical, and because of that, Paige has tailored her work to address the unique needs for the children and teens she refers. “I have a deep appreciation of knowing that my role is vital to opening the door to life-changing interventions for children and their families.”
Adult Services
What We Do
Our program aims to improve the quality of life for our participants by increasing their ability to care for themselves, self-advocate and engage with their communities. The program is a safe and trusted place for participants to find and develop their various strengths, engage in their interests and try new things using a self-guided interests-based approach.
Kaleidoscope also focuses on pre-vocational and volunteer opportunities, money management, independent living skills, health and wellness, and friendship – a key component of a happy life. The participants at each Kaleidoscope location plan various social activities, like preparing weekly lunches as a group, going to the grocery store, preparing dishes and enjoying them together.
Our community-based program has been well received by participants and their families, as well as our community partners and funders, for providing a variety of educational activities, fun outings and the kind of support that fosters self-confidence.
What We Accomplished
In 2024, we grew our volunteer opportunities, providing participants with more pre-vocational experiences and support with community integration. Ranging from growing food in community gardens like Sunflower Hill and Fertile Groundworks, to making treats for animals at the local SPCA shelter, to organizing donations and pricing merchandise at American Cancer Society shops, the participants are exploring a range of duties that can support future career paths and relationships.
We also created a new Adult Care Coordinator position in 2024, with two coordinators starting in early 2025. These roles give our team members opportunities for career growth and leadership development and also offer more personalized care and structure in achieving their goals, like independent living, finances, physical fitness and more.
3 participants are now living on their own, utilizing paratransit to get to the program and have been thriving in their new living situations!
“I love having the opportunity to learn and grow with each unique participant, and encourage their natural curiosity to explore and create.”
– Derek, Direct Support Worker
Meet Eric and Frances
Eric is a warm and friendly young man who’s a natural leader and makes people laugh constantly. “His formal diagnosis is seizure disorder with cognitive delays, which took a long time for us to get from the time he was a baby,” says Frances, who is also a member of the Easterseals Northern California Board of Directors. At the Kaleidoscope program, Eric has made tons of friends and goes into the community to engage with others and try new activities. “Kaleidoscope doesn’t just teach its participants how to interact within the community – it also teaches the community how to interact with people with developmental disabilities.”
Being a mother of two adult sons, Eric, who has a seizure disorder with cognitive delays, and Spencer, who is neurotypical, Frances had decades to learn the ins and outs of available resources, the challenges families face, and what having a community can do. Her son Eric is a warm and friendly young man. At 30 years old, he has grown to be a natural leader and makes people laugh constantly. Eric’s seizures started at just 11 months old; his lips would turn blue at night, and his parents can vividly remember seeing his tiny body on a full-sized gurney as the paramedics rolled him to the ambulance. Once diagnosed with his seizure disorder, Eric was put on all kinds of medications, some of which made him drowsy. Still, he was always on the move, and his mom and dad got him walking by dangling their car keys. Like all parents, they got creative in getting their firstborn to hit his milestones. But they had to get creative, because so little was available to them back then.
When Eric was 11 years old, he joined Kaleidoscope when it was an after-school program. Having aged out of day care, his parents needed a place for him to go. Frances remembers thinking, ‘What do I do?’ and started researching. She found Kaleidoscope, enrolled him, and he instantly made friends with the participants and staff. Kaleidoscope made Eric feel comfortable trying new things, because they were still grounded in routines. “They were also there for us as a family, bringing us into a community of other parents with similar situations,” says Frances. “We could swap stories, share articles and useful tips, and set up playdates – something parents of disabled children don’t always get to experience. The program even helped my younger son, Spencer, who’s 5 years younger than Eric, understand the role the family plays in the life of an individual with developmental disabilities.” It can be challenging for a neurotypical child growing up with a neurodivergent sibling. Spencer certainly had a hard time being the younger brother, but his attitude changed the more he got involved in Eric’s world. “Now, Spencer won’t consider keeping a friend or girlfriend in his life if they can’t hang with Eric, because the bond they have is so strong.”
In 2018, Kaleidoscope transitioned from an after-school program to an adult day health program for individuals 18 and up, with a focus on community integration. “This was such a blessing for us because Eric had hit the age where he no longer qualified for after-school services, so he rejoined the new Kaleidoscope program and is enjoying it every day,” Frances says. The program plays to his strengths and gets him into the community to engage with others and try new activities. The family takes a lot of walks together and Eric always knows the way because his group has been out and about so much. “I can’t remember a single walk where someone hasn’t waved and shouted, ‘Hey Eric!’ We’ll go to a restaurant, and he’ll walk up to people, and they engage back because they know him. The program doesn’t just teach the participants how to interact within the community – they also teach the community how to interact with people with developmental disabilities, our children, our loved ones.”
The relationship the whole family has had with the program and its staff has been so valuable to them. “It has been amazing to see how many people can be touched by these kinds of services,” says Frances. “I’m tremendously hopeful that our community at large is becoming a far more inclusive and caring place for everyone.”
Eric is a warm and friendly young man who’s a natural leader and makes people laugh constantly. “His formal diagnosis is seizure disorder with cognitive delays, which took a long time for us to get from the time he was a baby,” says Frances, who is also a member of the Easterseals Northern California Board of Directors. At the Kaleidoscope program, Eric has made tons of friends and goes into the community to engage with others and try new activities. “Kaleidoscope doesn’t just teach its participants how to interact within the community – it also teaches the community how to interact with people with developmental disabilities.”
Being a mother of two adult sons, Eric, who has a seizure disorder with cognitive delays, and Spencer, who is neurotypical, Frances had decades to learn the ins and outs of available resources, the challenges families face, and what having a community can do. Her son Eric is a warm and friendly young man. At 30 years old, he has grown to be a natural leader and makes people laugh constantly. Eric’s seizures started at just 11 months old; his lips would turn blue at night, and his parents can vividly remember seeing his tiny body on a full-sized gurney as the paramedics rolled him to the ambulance. Once diagnosed with his seizure disorder, Eric was put on all kinds of medications, some of which made him drowsy. Still, he was always on the move, and his mom and dad got him walking by dangling their car keys. Like all parents, they got creative in getting their firstborn to hit his milestones. But they had to get creative, because so little was available to them back then.
When Eric was 11 years old, he joined Kaleidoscope when it was an after-school program. Having aged out of day care, his parents needed a place for him to go. Frances remembers thinking, ‘What do I do?’ and started researching. She found Kaleidoscope, enrolled him, and he instantly made friends with the participants and staff. Kaleidoscope made Eric feel comfortable trying new things, because they were still grounded in routines. “They were also there for us as a family, bringing us into a community of other parents with similar situations,” says Frances. “We could swap stories, share articles and useful tips, and set up playdates – something parents of disabled children don’t always get to experience. The program even helped my younger son, Spencer, who’s 5 years younger than Eric, understand the role the family plays in the life of an individual with developmental disabilities.” It can be challenging for a neurotypical child growing up with a neurodivergent sibling. Spencer certainly had a hard time being the younger brother, but his attitude changed the more he got involved in Eric’s world. “Now, Spencer won’t consider keeping a friend or girlfriend in his life if they can’t hang with Eric, because the bond they have is so strong.”
In 2018, Kaleidoscope transitioned from an after-school program to an adult day health program for individuals 18 and up, with a focus on community integration. “This was such a blessing for us because Eric had hit the age where he no longer qualified for after-school services, so he rejoined the new Kaleidoscope program and is enjoying it every day,” Frances says. The program plays to his strengths and gets him into the community to engage with others and try new activities. The family takes a lot of walks together and Eric always knows the way because his group has been out and about so much. “I can’t remember a single walk where someone hasn’t waved and shouted, ‘Hey Eric!’ We’ll go to a restaurant, and he’ll walk up to people, and they engage back because they know him. The program doesn’t just teach the participants how to interact within the community – they also teach the community how to interact with people with developmental disabilities, our children, our loved ones.”
The relationship the whole family has had with the program and its staff has been so valuable to them. “It has been amazing to see how many people can be touched by these kinds of services,” says Frances. “I’m tremendously hopeful that our community at large is becoming a far more inclusive and caring place for everyone.”
Early Intervention
What We Do
Our Early Intervention (EI) services support children from birth to age 5 in meeting important milestones to help them be set up for success throughout their lives. Using a personalized approach coupled with evidence-based research, each child in our program receives individualized treatment from highly skilled early interventionists in their home or in one of our centers.
Caregivers are a fundamental part of each session and receive coaching on how to engage with their loved one in a way that matches their development. Through play, skills can be mastered for both the client and the caregiver – tips and support from the team at ESNorCal turn playtime into therapy and form a toolbox that families can utilize anytime, anywhere!
What We Accomplished
In 2024, we made great headway in identifying the need for EI across the northernmost areas of our region. We connected with all Regional Centers in our territory to serve even more families with children with or at risk of a developmental delay, bringing innumerable opportunities for quality care to more rural and underserved areas.
We also provided most of our services to bilingual Spanish-speaking families thanks to a recruitment initiative to ensure our support was accessible to more families. Providing accessible care to families to meet them where they’re at in life is what our team continues to strive for every day.
children served in 2023
children served in 2024
“Being an Early Interventionist is about adapting to each child’s needs. It’s about building a supportive relationship with families. We work together to create a unique, safe, and fun environment where children can thrive.”
– Karina, Early Interventionist
Meet Marylin
Hear what a mother has to say about working with Marylin for her two children in Early Intervention:
“Marylin has been working with our family for the last several months and it has been a fantastic experience. She is very knowledgeable, patient and responsive when I’ve had questions about my son’s treatment plan, and when we’ve had to miss sessions she has always checked in or had someone else from the organization check in, recommend activities we can do at home to bridge the gap, and overall make sure we feel supported.
“There have been several instances where she has had ideas for changing up the routine to make sure we were making the most of my son’s appointment with her. For example, when my son was getting too distracted at his preschool during their appointment, she proactively found a way to change up the schedule so that it would work better for him, and I can tell from her feedback reports that the new schedule works better. Also, she knows he loves music and customizes their activities based on that to ensure he’s as engaged as possible, and I think this has made a difference in his progress. He sings the songs from their activities at home, and having learning activities he enjoys makes it easier to engage him and practice these skills at home. Her reports on his appointments are always very detailed as well, for instance she will include observations about his school environment, how he’s doing with regular school activities like eating lunch with classmates, following the teacher’s book during circle time, new behaviors or regressions she’s noticed, etc. Also, my son and daughter both love her and are instantly so excited to see her when she visits. For my daughter, she started working with her more recently but has already been a big help in keeping me updated on her progress, pointing out areas we can work on, etc. She knows when something needs to be flagged for further evaluation by a specialist, such as when she recommended a physical therapy evaluation for my daughter who wasn’t crawling or getting up on all fours yet and had visible tension in her leg.
“Marylin in general has such a consistently positive attitude and is punctual and communicative, I just know my kids are in good hands when she visits, and I look forward to continuing to work with her! Thank you!”
– Mother of Two Early Intervention Clients
“Marylin has been working with our family for the last several months and it has been a fantastic experience. She is very knowledgeable, patient and responsive when I’ve had questions about my son’s treatment plan, and when we’ve had to miss sessions she has always checked in or had someone else from the organization check in, recommend activities we can do at home to bridge the gap, and overall make sure we feel supported.
“There have been several instances where she has had ideas for changing up the routine to make sure we were making the most of my son’s appointment with her. For example, when my son was getting too distracted at his preschool during their appointment, she proactively found a way to change up the schedule so that it would work better for him, and I can tell from her feedback reports that the new schedule works better. Also, she knows he loves music and customizes their activities based on that to ensure he’s as engaged as possible, and I think this has made a difference in his progress. He sings the songs from their activities at home, and having learning activities he enjoys makes it easier to engage him and practice these skills at home. Her reports on his appointments are always very detailed as well, for instance she will include observations about his school environment, how he’s doing with regular school activities like eating lunch with classmates, following the teacher’s book during circle time, new behaviors or regressions she’s noticed, etc. Also, my son and daughter both love her and are instantly so excited to see her when she visits. For my daughter, she started working with her more recently but has already been a big help in keeping me updated on her progress, pointing out areas we can work on, etc. She knows when something needs to be flagged for further evaluation by a specialist, such as when she recommended a physical therapy evaluation for my daughter who wasn’t crawling or getting up on all fours yet and had visible tension in her leg.
“Marylin in general has such a consistently positive attitude and is punctual and communicative, I just know my kids are in good hands when she visits, and I look forward to continuing to work with her! Thank you!”
– Mother of Two Early Intervention Clients
Respite Services
What We Do
Respite services offer a break for caregivers who spend significant time caring for a loved one with I/DD. Burnout is a common result of continuous care, so our goal through this program is alleviating some of the day-to-day pressure caregivers feel, while also providing opportunities for wellbeing, connection with other children and family members or tending to important tasks that require attention.
Our highly trained respite associates are skilled in caregiving specifically for individuals with I/DD to help set their participants up for success. They provide care both in the home and out in the community seeing movies, dining out, doing homework, visiting local attractions and more, making the time they spend together enjoyable while caregivers focus on their wellbeing.
What We Accomplished
We saw tremendous growth in our program in 2024, with a 100% increase in families served! Not only did we double the number of participants in our program, but we also began partnering with Contra Costa Health Plan to expand our footprint with new funding sources to increase our coverage for families in need of our services.
As our program continues to grow, we are targeting 40 new clients for 2025, more than doubling our current client count! This includes boosting our number of respite associates throughout the counties we serve – providing quality jobs for compassionate people in our communities.
100+% increase in 2024!
“It is an absolute joy to hear the gratitude expressed by caregivers when we provide respite services for them!”
– Kent, Program Manager
Meet Abudi and Sarah
Sarah’s journey with ESNorCal has been incredibly positive when she sought respite care for her loved one, Abudi. “The process to get started was smooth, and my case manager, Kent, has been so helpful, understanding, and responsive throughout. He’s always been there when I needed support, and I truly appreciate all his help,” says Sarah.
They’ve been part of the program for about a year now, and Sarah shared that it has been such a blessing. “The respite care has provided me with much-needed relief, giving me the chance to recharge while knowing my loved one is in excellent hands. My relationship with our respite associate has been wonderful—they are kind, reliable, and genuinely care about my loved one’s well-being.”
Sarah’s journey with ESNorCal has been incredibly positive when she sought respite care for her loved one, Abudi. “The process to get started was smooth, and my case manager, Kent, has been so helpful, understanding, and responsive throughout. He’s always been there when I needed support, and I truly appreciate all his help,” says Sarah.
They’ve been part of the program for about a year now, and Sarah shared that it has been such a blessing. “The respite care has provided me with much-needed relief, giving me the chance to recharge while knowing my loved one is in excellent hands. My relationship with our respite associate has been wonderful—they are kind, reliable, and genuinely care about my loved one’s well-being.”
Achievement & Performance
1st Annual Driving Change Golf Classic
Our golf tournament held on June 3 at the famous Olympic Club in San Francisco was a smash hit, raising nearly $140,000 from sponsors and donors. Attendees enjoyed a round of golf, got to meet some of our clients and engaged in friendly competition for a great cause. Returning for another swing on June 2, learn about sponsorships and donations here!
Diagnostic Evaluations
Our new Diagnostic Evaluation services have provided an excellent resource for families seeking diagnoses. By receiving timely assessments, they can start their treatment journeys quickly and feel confident they’re getting the support they need.
San Jose Clinic Ribbon Cutting
A big celebration was enjoyed in October to honor the opening of our newest clinic. Our CEO, Andrea Pettiford, and Board member, Fran Olsen, joined the San Jose team, program leaders and client families to cut the ribbon and commemorate the impact being made for families in Santa Clara County.
New Funders
We onboarded two new insurance providers – Contra Costa Health Plan and Optum – to continue our work expanding access to high quality services for more families in Northern California.
Our Impact
Every day we worked together in 2024, we reached more individuals and families:
Nearly 5,000
individuals and families served annually
228 total
ESNorCal practitioners delivering care to individuals and their families
Over 215,000
total hours of service provided to individuals and families
2
new insurance providers onboarded
4.5
overall Client Satisfaction score
(out of 5)
Over 130,000
visits to our website to seek information
Your Giving
Our most generous gift this year was a
$50,000
donation to support Respite Services
of fundraising dollars
supported Adult Services
of fundraising dollars
supported Early Intervention
of fundraising dollars
supported Respite Services
A Big Thanks to Our Supporters This Year!
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4
45
257
13
Our Board in Action
Andrea Pettiford
Board of Directors,
Secretary
David Durham
Board of Directors
Fran Olson
Board of Directors
Frances Allen
Board of Directors
Kimberly Donellan
Board of Directors,
Chair
Patrick Oh
Board of Directors,
Treasurer
Donate
Now that you’ve learned about our impact in 2024, you can be part of our impact in 2025! Join us by donating, sharing our social media posts, and attending our fundraisers throughout the year.
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