Easterseals Bay Area and Easterseals Hawaii to Affiliate

PLEASANT HILL, CALIF. – August 23, 2017 – The boards of directors of both Easterseals Bay Area (ESBA) and Easterseals Hawaii (ESH) have voted to affiliate, effective January 1, 2018. Under the affiliation agreement, both ESBA and ESH will retain their names, their individual boards of directors, and oversight of their programs and assets.

“We’re excited about this new affiliation with ESBA, which is a timely and very positive step that furthers our mission to empower individuals with disabilities or special needs in the face of shrinking government funding, ever-increasing expenses and great need,” said ESH President and CEO Ron Brandvold. “This is a win-win in all respects. ESH is known for its exceptional keiki and adult programs and services, which will be strengthened by this affiliation. ESBA is well respected as an innovator in technology and service delivery, especially for individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder where the need in Hawaii is so great, yet the capacity to serve is currently so limited.”

Susan Armiger, President and CEO of ESBA, added, “The affiliation model is unique in that it maintains local oversight of services while adding resources and expertise, and is in complete alignment with the mission, vision and values of Easterseals Hawaii. This will provide opportunities for both locations to meet the growing demands for services while preserving local presence, staff and culture at both organizations.”

Under the new affiliation, ESH will remain an independent Hawaii 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation and continue offering all of its existing programs and services. Funds raised in each location will stay in that location. Behind the scenes, there will be software upgrades, shared resources, and other collaboration to improve the delivery of services.

“In today’s contemporary world, non-profit organizations must be adept at identifying opportunities to increase efficiencies and enhance utilization of resources to ensure delivery of outstanding services,” added Brandvold. “Our affiliation with ESBA is destined to provide both our organizations with opportunities to grow quality services for a greater number of individuals and their families in our communities who are faced with disabilities or special needs.” Easterseals Hawaii is the statewide leader serving people with disabilities or special needs, having served special needs children, youth and adults for over 70 years. Each year, the non-profit organization provides annually more than 500,000 hours of direct service to individuals and families across the state. 

For the past 90 years, Easterseals Bay Area has provided services to people with disabilities and their families to help them live, learn, work and play to their fullest potential. Beginning with service to 125 clients in 2012, Easterseals Bay Area today annually serves more than 4,000 clients, managing over 1,000,000 visits through its behavioral health provider network across Northern California. 

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Press Contact: 
Michele Rene Scott
Easterseals Bay Area
[email protected]