Cornerstone's Happy Adventure Summer Camp will open its 12th season on August 4th.  The camp, which specializes in enrichment activities for severely developmentally disabled children and young adults, affords Cornerstone an opportunity to share its expertise with the community. 

Proposed budget cuts:  To help balance the California budget, a 10% cut in Medi-Cal funding for long-term care has been proposed -- a loss of approximately $13 a day for each Cornerstone client.  A loss of the magnitude would affect the level and quality of care facilities would be able to provide. Cornerstone is already struggling to meet escalating costs for staffing, workers' compensation insurance and liability insurance, not adequately reimbursed by Medi-Cal even without new cuts.  The care of our clients is always our first priority, but our job will be much more difficult if the proposed budget cuts are implemented.  Cornerstone House of Santa Barbara has joined with other long-term care facilities to raise our voice against these cuts.  We have coordinated the mailing of more than 100 letters to the governor and legislatures to explain the potential risk to long-term care.

New Additions to Cornerstone's Interdisciplinary Team Strengthen Client Development:  The Cornerstone Interdisciplinary team is essential to providing the individual supports needed by our clients to develop their full potentials.  We are very pleased to welcome new members to the team. Angela Rossi, QMRP, has a bachelor's degree in behavioral science .  She also has extensive experience working with developmentally disabled clients at the Cornerstone home in Montecito for four years and with Genesis Development Services for two years.  Kathy Cumming, physical therapist, develops range of motion  and other programs to enhance our clients' functioning.  Holly Mathews, speech and language pathologist, has extensive experience working with dysphasia and swallowing deficits.  AnnMarie Ament-Simes specializes in communication and speech deficits.  Alice Forsythe is now our client representative with Tri-Counties Regional Center.

More good news: Byron and Melanie Lynn have pledged $7,500, half of the cost of installing new laminate flooring in the house.  Also, the Santa Barbara Foundation has made a grant that will enable us to raise the ceiling in the Cornerstone van, better accommodating our clients and their wheelchairs.