Sunny Hills Services and Bay Area Youth Centers Announce Merger Plan -- April 2008

Sunny Hills Services (SHS) and Bay Area Youth Centers (BAYC) announced today that they are proceeding with a merger of the two organizations, after months of study by the Boards and Management of the two agencies. An implementation team has been created to determine the best process and procedure for integrating the two agencies. It is expected that the merger will be completed by July 1, 2008.

"Sunny Hills Services is excited to announce this merger plan. Partnering in this way with BAYC allows us to expand our reach both geographically and programmatically. As the number of clients that we serve each year continues to grow exponentially, the addition of the BAYC services to our existing spectrum of care helps us meet the ever-changing needs of the vulnerable children and families we help," explains Joe Costa, Chief Executive Officer of Sunny Hills Services.

Josh Leonard, Executive Director of BAYC, says that "BAYC is confident that this merger will help us continue to provide the crucial, high-quality programs that we have always been known for while also allowing us to utilize the Sunny Hills infrastructure to help us grow and add new dimensions to those programs."

"There is a critical and fast-growing need for services to support children and teens challenged with developmental, educational, and mental health issues. Organizations that serve this population must work to maintain the highest levels of quality and care while dealing with the realities of economic and budget pressures. The Boards of Sunny Hills Services and Bay Area Youth Centers are confident that the newly merged organization will be prepared to meet these economic challenges while continuing to grow in both the types of services offered and the number of children served," continues Josh.

Increased program scope and size will give the merged organization a stronger voice on public policy and advocacy. Few single organizations cover the geographic range and provide the broad spectrum of services that the combined agency offers. Treatment methodologies and best practices can be applied across various programs in multiple counties quickly and efficiently, raising the level of support and care for all of the children, teens and families being served.

BAYC will continue to operate its existing programs under its own name. BAYC will be structured as a division of SHS and will utilize the SHS administrative umbrella. Infrastructure support provided by SHS for BAYC will include Human Resources, Finance and Accounting, Fund Development and Communications. Josh Leonard will continue as Executive Director of BAYC, and will also serve as the primary SHS representative in the East Bay.

Neither agency foresees a change in existing services or is planning a reduction of staff as part of this merger. Continued opportunities for growth and development of program initiatives are expected as the two agencies combine forces and competencies.

Additional information about the merger will be available as plans are developed by the implementation team. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Joe Costa at (415) 457-3200 x 119 or Josh Leonard at (510) 727-9401 x 104.

BAYC was founded in 1974 and has been at the forefront in serving the needs of youth emancipating from of out-of-home care for the last fifteen years. BAYC emphasizes youth development, educational achievement, self-sufficiency, permanent relationships with adults, self awareness, and health within a milieu environment. Their continuum of care programs in Alameda County includes group homes, transitional housing, and mental health services. BAYC Information www.bayareayouthcenters.org.

Since 1895, Sunny Hills Services has been helping build better and brighter futures for vulnerable children and their families. SHS provides educational, community based, transitional and mental health programs for youth from 5 to 21 years old. Located in San Anselmo, the agency has programs throughout Marin and Sonoma Counties that serve youth from throughout the Bay Area and Northern California.