Proposed 10 Percent Cut to State Budget Could Close Homes that Serve More than 7,000 and Would Increase Cost of Care by $200,000 Per Person Annually

San Rafael, CA -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/23/2011 -- On March 30th from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Lifehouse will sponsor a protest at the state capitol to stop the proposed 10 percent reduction in service fees for Intermediate Care Facilities (ICF). The funding cut is part of a proposed trailer bill to the California State Budget and threatens 1,100 ICF homes statewide serving 7,000 people with developmental disabilities. Lifehouse has been serving the needs of people with developmental disabilities since 1954 in Marin, Sonoma, and San Francisco Counties, and maintains four of the 10 ICF homes in Marin County that require round-the-clock staffing.

According to Nancy Dow Moody, CEO of Lifehouse, maintaining ICF homes are clearly the most cost-effective licensed alternative to care for those with significant developmental disabilities. The proposed budget cuts would mean closing a number of ICF homes, which already operate at a loss, and may jeopardize other vital programs. Moving clients out of their ICF homes would increase the cost of care to the state by at least $200,000 per person annually by forcing them into state developmental centers. However, there are no current openings, and in fact, centers have closed in the last few years.

"Many of our clients are so fragile that moving them from their homes could threaten their lives; it's like destroying a family," said Moody. "We have been providing services to some of these clients for more than 30 years. Many have no family to advocate for them, and they can't advocate for themselves."

To learn more about the March 30 protest, send queries to mail@lifehouseagency.org.

About Lifehouse
Since 1954, Lifehouse has been assisting individuals with developmental disabilities in Marin, Sonoma, and San Francisco counties, providing life-skills training, community integration, advocacy, referrals, and information about support resources. With help from staff, donors, volunteers, and the local communities, Lifehouse has improved the quality of life for more than 300 individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. Lifehouse offers individualized programs and services that are provided in an atmosphere of respect, inspiration, and purpose.

For more information about Lifehouse and to learn more about volunteer and donation opportunities, visit the organization online at http://www.lifehouseagency.org.

Contact:
Nancy Dow Moody
Lifehouse
(415) 526-5309
ndmoody@lifehouseagency.org

Tom Woolf
Woolf Media & Marketing
(415) 259-5638
tomw@woolfmedia.com

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Leading North Bay Restaurants and Wineries Join Together Again to Raise Money To Help Those with Developmental Disabilities

San Rafael, CA -- (SBWIRE) -- 01/31/2011 -- This year marks the 21st year that Lifehouse (http://www.lifehouseagency.org) will host its annual gala event, Great Chefs & Wineries (http://www.greatchefsandwineries.org). This black-tie affair brings together 50 leading area restaurants and wineries to show off their culinary expertise along with fine wines, while raising much-needed money to help those with developmental disabilities lead independent lives. The Great Chefs & Wineries event is scheduled to be held April 30 at the Fireman's Fund Insurance company headquarters in Novato and will include food prepared by leading Marin restaurants, dancing, a silent auction, and much more.

For the first time, this year's Great Chefs & Wineries includes a sit-down dinner to be catered by Marin County restaurants Poggio, Murray Circle, Picco, Il Davide, Vin Antico and Frantoio. There also will be a diverse assortment of food and wine served prior to the dinner, as well as a silent auction. Again this year, the Robert Vickers Orchestra will be providing dance music, and there will be a live performance by Lifehouse clients. Bud E. Luv, who recently received the Lifehouse Open Arms Award, will serve as Master of Ceremonies, musician Huey Lewis will serve as Honorary Chairman of the event, and Heidi Insalata Krahling, owner of Insalata and Marinitas restaurants in San Anselmo, will serve as Culinary Host. Bank of Marin returns this year as the glassware sponsor and the Marin Independent Journal as the media sponsor.

All the proceeds from Great Chefs & Wineries go to support Lifehouse, which provides residential and support services for more than 300 individuals with developmental disabilities in Marin, Sonoma, and San Francisco. Lifehouse's mission is to improve their clients' quality of life by providing a lifetime of support through life-skills training, community integration, and advocacy in an atmosphere of respect, inspiration, and purpose.

"Great Chefs & Wineries has been the anchor of our fundraising efforts for more than 20 years," said Nancy Dow Moody, Lifehouse president and CEO. "The event continues to grow, and this year we are particularly grateful to our returning sponsors, Fireman's Fund Insurance Company, Founding Sponsor; Brayton Purcell and Brydon Hugo & Parker, Platinum Sponsors and thrilled to welcome Union Bank as an Emerald Sponsor and San Francisco Magazine for serving as our new media sponsor. Without the support of our sponsors, restaurants, wineries, and auction donors, we would never be able to raise the funds we need to serve our clients."

A second Emerald Sponsor wishes to remain anonymous. A Gold Table that seats 10 is available for $5,000 and a Silver Table that seats 10 is available for $3,000. Individual tickets start at $200. For more information, visit http://www.greatchefsandwinderies.org.

About Lifehouse
Since 1954, Lifehouse has been assisting individuals with developmental disabilities in Marin, Sonoma, and San Francisco counties, providing life-skills training, community integration, advocacy, referrals, and information about support resources. With help from staff, donors, volunteers, and the local communities, Lifehouse strives to improve the quality of life for more than 300 individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. Lifehouse offers individualized programs and services that are provided in an atmosphere of respect, inspiration, and purpose.

For more information about Lifehouse and to learn more about volunteer and donation opportunities, visit the organization online at http://www.lifehouseagency.org.

Contact:
Nancy Riess
Lifehouse
(415) 472-2373, ext. 305
nriess@lifehouseagency.org

Tom Woolf
Woolf Media & Marketing
(415) 259-5638
tomw@woolfmedia.com

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm