What's Happening?

Thanksgiving at the Hill

Our Thanksgiving at the Hill was a very special occasion and enjoyed by all.  Our friends, family, trustees, staff, and students were in attendance.  Everyone enjoyed a delicious meal following the program.  We have so many great things to be thankful for everyday.

Family Support Team and Fall Family Day have Positive Results!

Family Fall Day was a big success!  The day started with group activities with families, alumni, students, and staff.  After a delicious meal the young men headed out to participate in game activities sponsored by our "Not So Badd" volunteers.  The day was wrapped up by music played in the chapel.  A great day was had by all!

Words from the Family Support Team:

The Family Support Team enjoyed participating in Fall Family Day at Elk Hill Farm on Sunday October 26, 2008. Once a young person leaves Elk Hill, they are faced with numerous challenges, including resisting drugs, alcohol, and gangs. They have to self create the structure that was previously already in place for them at Elk Hill. Additionally, they have to consider how to set up and attain goals for themselves with very little direction or support. The Family Support Team seeks to provide some guidance and encouragement in this process for our graduates. It was with this in mind that we sponsored the alumni group during Fall Family Day this year. During the group we heard about each persons biggest accomplishments, goals, and current challenges faced. It was so interesting that all alumni present, felt that their biggest accomplishment was in completing the program at Elk Hill! We heard goals that included; finishing a GED, attaining a high school diploma, attaining a job , being self supportive, as well as many insights into the challenges faced upon leaving Elk Hill. At the end of the group each alumni was presented with a gift certificate and an open invitation to continue to keep us in their lives and updated on their challenges and triumphs. All present promised to return and continue to be role models and support for new residents here at Elk Hill. We in the Family Support Team look forward to many more successful gatherings of our alumni!

Rebecca Mayo-Pitts, LCSW
Family Support Team Member

Elk Hill Challengers win the Soccer Championship

Our young men and women had a kickin' good time on the field.  All three of our schools are participated in the 2008 RASSL Soccer League.   Our Elk Hill Challengers won the 2008 Championship Game!  Way to go Challengers!

  Varina Day School          Alfred L. Blake School        Harambee Day School

Alfred L. Blake School recognized as a NASET School of Excellence!

In July 2008, the Alfred L. Blake School at Elk Hill Farm received recognition as a National Association of Special Education Teachers (NASET) School of Excellence. 

For 2008-2009 there were only 41 schools nationwide that achieved this distinction. 

"The recognition as a NASET School of Excellence is bestowed on private special education schools that have met rigorous professional criteria and have demonstrated truly exceptional dedication, commitment and achievement in the field of special education." 

Criteria for selection include professionally licensed teachers, school accreditation, effective student:teacher ratios, and maintaining a long history (greater that 10 years) of service to students with special needs. Elk Hill's history of providing services to the youth of Virginia led NASET to contact us for nomination. 

Congratulations to all staff, past and present, who have contributed to the

Alfred L. Blake School in receiving this award!

Reading at Elk Hill

Elk Hill has hit the charts with our reading levels!  Our reading specialist has definitely turned some pages.  The average reading level (comprehension and fluency) increase for all three schools was 2.8 grade levels for the 2007-2008 school year.  Our goal in was 1.5 grade levels.  We almost doubled our goal!  Please review our outstanding results from Harambee Day School, Varina Day School, and the Alfred L. Blake School. 

Harambee Day School Post Reading Results

Varina Day School Post Reading Results

Alfred L. Blake School Post Reading Results

Combined Post Reading Results

Intensive In-Home Services coming soon!

We will are excited to announce that an Intensive In-Home Services component is coming soon!  We are excited to serve our local communities with another choice of Elk Hill services.  If you have any questions, please send us an email.

Mr. Ron Spears, Director of Programs

Adventure Challenge Trip

The young men from our residential program hit the rapids for a week

in Wild West Virginia for their Adventure Challenge trip. 

And did they have a splash of a good time!

Varina Summer Camp 2008 was a Splash!

Summer camp 2008 was a huge success at our Varina Day School.  Our youth got a head start for the next school year and enjoyed many fun activities such as a day at Dorey Park!

Harambee's new summer look!

Our success at our Varina Summer Camp inspired us to have our very first summer camp at our Harambee Day School!  The youth, ages 7-13, had activities throughout the week with a field trip every Wednesday.  When campers were asked if they like camp, they said they LOVED it!  It showed in their smiles from ear to ear!

June Games 2008

The first week of June was filled with fun!  Each year Elk Hill has June Games for students and staff.  Activities such as relay running, volleyball, water games, long jump, and pie eating contest are just a few.  The favorite of all is Dodge ball!  The activities were completed with awards and a delicious cookout for all!

21st Annual Awards Banquet

The 2008 Awards Banquet was a huge success!  We had 11 high school diploma graduates and 6 GED graduates.  The night was filled with special recognition to students from all programs.  We are very proud of the students and their accomplishments!

The Administration Building at the Hill gets a Facelift!

Thanks to Cabell Foundation, AECW fund of the Community Foundation, Mary Morton Parsons Foundation, and Roller Bottimore Foundation

for their support in our restoration project!

Medicaid at our Group Homes

Medicaid is now available at the Elk Hill-Northside Group Home and Elk Hill-Spring Garden Group Home! 

For inquiries please contact our

Admissions Coordinator, Ms. Malinda Tiffany, MSW

Charlottesville Update

We proudly announce that our Elk Hill-Charlottesville Group Home has become the first Independent Living Program in Virginia!

For inquiries please contact our

Admissions Coordinator, Ms. Malinda Tiffany, MSW