Conversations with the CEO

Hillside’s Health Care Services team provides compassionate care, innovative solutions, and unwavering support to the youth and their families in our care.  This podcast episode highlights the roles of the Health Care Services team at Hillside.  Maria Cristalli talks with Ann Cott, Executive Director of Health Care and Integration Services and Julee Jorgensen, Senior Nurse Manager of Residential Treatment Services.

This podcast episode highlights Hillside’s journey in implementing Children and Residential Experiences (CARE), a program model for child caring organizations.  Maria Cristalli talks with Martha Holden, Project Director, Residential Child Care Project, Cornell University.  Martha and her team at the Residential Child Care Project have collaborated with Hillside to support the implementations of CARE and Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI).   

Stories of Hillside celebrates our people and partners and the impact of their work on the lives of youth and families.  This podcast celebrates the Girangaya Family.  Maria Cristalli talks with Alan and Chris Girangaya about their family and experience as foster parents.

Stories of Hillside celebrates our people and the achievements of those we serve.  Antonia’s Story looks at the personal journey of a former youth in care who overcame her challenges and now works to help other youth as a member of the Hillside team.  Maria Cristalli talks with Antonia Luckina, Youth Care Professional and musician and Kim Draheim, Therapeutic Recreation Specialist and Leader of the Youth Voice Band.

The Chair’s Award is presented every year to an employee who represents the highest ideals of service to youth and families while embodying Hillside’s values of Caring, Inclusion and Excellence. Maria Cristalli talks with Keyonne Teagle, Youth Advocate II, Hillside Work-Scholarship Connection and this year’s Chair Award Recipient about his 20 year career at Hillside.  Jill Knittel, Hillside’s Board Chair and President & CEO of JK Executive Strategies, LLC joins the conversation to celebrate Keyonne.

At Hillside’s schools, we prepare our students to become lifelong learners and achieve their academic and career goals.  Hillside educators are committed to the academic community. They inspire each student’s success by helping them recognize and develop their own talents and abilities! This podcast episode highlights Hillside Schools, the populations we serve, and the benefits of joining the Education team at Hillside.  Maria Cristalli talks with Colleen Hill, Executive Director of Education and Scott Dillon, Principal, Finger Lakes Campus School.

Hillside believes that everyone benefits from stronger families.  In 2023, Hillside launched The Family Opportunity Centers (FOC) in Syracuse and Rochester, NY.   The Family Opportunity Center is a site-based, drop-in program where enrolled families can benefit from supports including a wide range of parent education resources; short-term, on-site mental health counseling; and informed guidance on accessing supplemental services in the community.  This podcast episode highlights this new programming and the importance of family voice in shaping policy and programs at Hillside.  Maria Cristalli talks with Kathy Holmes, Director of Family Driven Care, and Lacey Natello, Program Manager, Peer Support Services.

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the significant digital divide in our country and need to create greater access to affordable internet and devices for families.  Maria Cristalli talks with Portia James, Board member of Hillside's Board of Governors and Karinda Shanes, Regional Director, Hillside Work-Scholarship Connection - Syracuse region about the importance of working toward Digital Equity.

Hillside’s Special Santa program will brighten the holidays for thousands of youth and families served by Hillside. Approximately 3,000 youth and families are supported by this program.  Gifts can be ordered on Amazon Gift Lists and/or dropped off at community donation boxes.  Maria Cristalli talks with Lilac Inthavong-McEvoy, Vice Chair of Hillside’s Advancement Committee and Shannon Davis, Care Coordinator, Hillside about their support and experience with the Special Santa program.

The Chair’s Award is presented every year to an employee who represents the highest ideals of service to youth and families while embodying Hillside’s values of Caring, Inclusion and Excellence. Maria Cristalli talks with Amy Patterson, Senior Nurse Manager, Hillside and this year’s Chair Award Recipient about her career at Hillside.  Jill Knittel, Hillside’s Board Chair and President & CEO of JK Executive Strategies, LLC joins the conversation to celebrate Amy.