Message From Our President & CEO

There is an old saying that defines success as “preparation plus opportunity”. In 2007, ECF was given an extraordinary opportunity to demonstrate the truth offered by this simple formula.

Nearly three years ago, ECF developed the organization’s third consecutive three-year strategic plan. The plan includes goals and objectives designed to strengthen our standing in LA County as a leader of service provision for people living with disabilities. I am very pleased to report to you that we have made tremendous progress on each goal we established, including increasing the spectrum of programs offered in the community; strengthening our financial position and diversifying funding streams; attracting and retaining a highly qualified, stable workforce; and increasing the public’s awareness of ECF and of people with disabilities. Indeed, the balance of this newsletter could be devoted to sharing with you the numerous ways ECF has met these goals, and how the lives of the children and adults we serve have benefited as a result of our progress. We have prepared for opportunity.

The opportunity arrived in the form of the Kayne Eras Center (KEC). Founded in 1980, KEC is well known in Southern California as a pioneer in the field of special education, offering an array of professional, holistic educational and therapeutic services to hundreds of students with learning, emotional and developmental disabilities annually from its Culver City location. KEC also offers job skills training and two six-bed group homes for adults with disabilities. In early 2007, ECF and KEC began exploring the synergies that could result by combining our two organizations. Following months of legal, strategic and financial analysis, the boards of ECF and KEC unanimously voted to join the two organizations.

By combining our two organizations, ECF will become one of the only organizations of its kind in Southern California able to offer a full spectrum of services for individuals with disabilities from birth through adulthood. Most importantly, the merger with KEC sets ECF apart from others in our ability to achieve new levels of support for the children, youth, adults and families who rely on us year after year. This is, by our definition, success.

The first public celebration of our merger took place at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza in Century City on November 18, 2007. That night’s celebration, appropriately named “Coming Together”, provided an opportunity for ECF and KEC to honor three extraordinary people who have provided years of exemplary support to our organizations: Joe Tilem and Helen and Jack Nethercutt. It was a truly exceptional evening that brought in more than $1 million.

On behalf of all of us at ECF, I offer our heartfelt thanks to you for your patronage throughout the years. Your historic dedication to ECF positioned us to pursue this remarkable opportunity that will help us create more success stories than ever before.

Scott D. Bowling, Psy.D.
President and CEO