Fri, 06 Mar 2026 11:20:34 -0500 http://www.hillside.com en-us © 2026 Conversations with the CEO yes d7a944ef-ccae-5f40-b925-55637d90fd2f Hillside Children's Center episodic false Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) Hillside Children's Center https://storage.buzzsprout.com/3zkotwueq8er2is1aeyig15jqn3a?.jpg http://www.hillside.com Maria Cristalli Hillside provides Health Care Services 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.

]]> 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.

]]> Hillside Children's Center Buzzsprout-16891507 Tue, 01 Apr 2025 09:00:00 -0400 1086 full false Children and Residential Experiences 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).   

]]> 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).   

]]> Hillside Children's Center Buzzsprout-16556300 Mon, 17 Feb 2025 14:00:00 -0500 1615 full false Stories of Hillside, Antonia “Never Give Up” 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.

]]> 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.

]]> Hillside Children's Center Buzzsprout-15481100 Sat, 27 Jul 2024 14:00:00 -0400 1291 full false 2024 Chair Award Recipient 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.

]]> 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.

]]> Hillside Children's Center Buzzsprout-15186275 Mon, 03 Jun 2024 15:00:00 -0400 1258 full false Hillside has Schools! 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.

]]> 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 Children's Center Buzzsprout-15120555 Wed, 22 May 2024 19:00:00 -0400 853 full false Family Opportunity Centers 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.

]]> 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.

]]> Hillside Children's Center Buzzsprout-14466421 Thu, 08 Feb 2024 14:00:00 -0500 919 full false Digital Equity 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.

]]> 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 Children's Center Buzzsprout-14273587 Mon, 08 Jan 2024 17:00:00 -0500 1054 full false Special Santa 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.

]]> 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.

]]> Hillside Children's Center Buzzsprout-13930259 Tue, 07 Nov 2023 19:00:00 -0500 640 full false 2023 Chair Award Recipient 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.

]]> 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.

]]> Hillside Children's Center Buzzsprout-13598779 Fri, 15 Sep 2023 15:00:00 -0400 1036 full false Hillside Reads Too few children today have an innate love of reading—the kind of passion that can open doors, in academics and beyond. This podcast episode highlights Hillside Reads, a new literacy initiative launched earlier this year, that aims to help the students attending Hillside’s schools discover their own love of reading. Maria Cristalli talks with Colleen Hill, Executive Director of Education and Kim Loray, Interim Principal, Andrews-Trahey School.

]]> Too few children today have an innate love of reading—the kind of passion that can open doors, in academics and beyond. This podcast episode highlights Hillside Reads, a new literacy initiative launched earlier this year, that aims to help the students attending Hillside’s schools discover their own love of reading. Maria Cristalli talks with Colleen Hill, Executive Director of Education and Kim Loray, Interim Principal, Andrews-Trahey School.

]]> Hillside Children's Center Buzzsprout-13428793 Fri, 18 Aug 2023 10:00:00 -0400 928 full false Evidence-Based Practice at Hillside Research- and evidence-informed programs at Hillside are designed to address the needs of children, adults, and families.  This podcast episode highlights Hillside’s commitment to evidence-based practices. Leaders from Hillside’s Practice and Performance Excellence Group share our process and approach to selecting and integrating evidence-based practices into Hillside’s service array. Maria Cristalli talks with Andrew Dillenbeck, LCSW-R, Director of Evidence Based Practice and Laura Maggiulli, Ph.D., LMSW, Director of Research and Business Intelligence.

]]> Research- and evidence-informed programs at Hillside are designed to address the needs of children, adults, and families.  This podcast episode highlights Hillside’s commitment to evidence-based practices. Leaders from Hillside’s Practice and Performance Excellence Group share our process and approach to selecting and integrating evidence-based practices into Hillside’s service array. Maria Cristalli talks with Andrew Dillenbeck, LCSW-R, Director of Evidence Based Practice and Laura Maggiulli, Ph.D., LMSW, Director of Research and Business Intelligence.

]]> Hillside Children's Center Buzzsprout-13340105 Wed, 02 Aug 2023 17:00:00 -0400 964 full false Camp Possibilities This podcast episode highlights Camp Possibilities, Hillside’s day camp program.   The camp is located in suburban Rochester in a picturesque setting.  Youth served by Hillside enjoy a summertime camp experience and create memories that last a lifetime.  Maria Cristalli talks with Kevin Miller, Therapeutic Recreation Coordinator, and Dawson, Hillside camper and apprentice.

]]> This podcast episode highlights Camp Possibilities, Hillside’s day camp program.   The camp is located in suburban Rochester in a picturesque setting.  Youth served by Hillside enjoy a summertime camp experience and create memories that last a lifetime.  Maria Cristalli talks with Kevin Miller, Therapeutic Recreation Coordinator, and Dawson, Hillside camper and apprentice.

]]> Hillside Children's Center Buzzsprout-12874246 Thu, 18 May 2023 11:00:00 -0400 842 full false CARE at Snell Farm This podcast episode highlights how we approach our work at the Snell Farm Residential Treatment campus.  Members of the leadership team highlight Children and Residential Experiences (CARE) trauma-informed model of care and our vocational program.  Maria Cristalli talks with Dr. Rachel Bryant, Director of Residential Services, Chris Cramer, School Based Manager, and Darlene Apgar, Recreation & Vocational Manager.

]]> This podcast episode highlights how we approach our work at the Snell Farm Residential Treatment campus.  Members of the leadership team highlight Children and Residential Experiences (CARE) trauma-informed model of care and our vocational program.  Maria Cristalli talks with Dr. Rachel Bryant, Director of Residential Services, Chris Cramer, School Based Manager, and Darlene Apgar, Recreation & Vocational Manager.

]]> Hillside Children's Center Buzzsprout-12558919 Fri, 31 Mar 2023 18:00:00 -0400 802 full false Graduation, College and Career Hillside Work-Scholarship Connection helps students stay in school, earn their high school diplomas and prepare for college and career.  This podcast episode highlights the close relationship between each student and their Youth Advocate, a caring professional placed in the school who provides structure and motivation.  Hillside’s Youth Advocates work in collaboration with students and families and connects youth to the services of our core model. Maria Cristalli talks with Najwa Dennis, Manager of Core Operations and Mariama McClain, Manager of Core Programming, Hillside Work-Scholarship Connection – Syracuse Region.

]]> Hillside Work-Scholarship Connection helps students stay in school, earn their high school diplomas and prepare for college and career.  This podcast episode highlights the close relationship between each student and their Youth Advocate, a caring professional placed in the school who provides structure and motivation.  Hillside’s Youth Advocates work in collaboration with students and families and connects youth to the services of our core model. Maria Cristalli talks with Najwa Dennis, Manager of Core Operations and Mariama McClain, Manager of Core Programming, Hillside Work-Scholarship Connection – Syracuse Region.

]]> Hillside Children's Center Buzzsprout-12322614 Fri, 24 Feb 2023 14:00:00 -0500 996 full false Paths to Permanency Hillside believes that everyone benefits from stronger families.  A healthy, stable family environment provides stability in the life of a child.  This podcast episode highlights the work of Hillside’s Institute for Family Connections (Hillside IFC).  The IFC provides support and increases permanency in the life of every child we serve.  Maria Cristalli talks with Marsha Whitley, Director, of Hillside’s Institute for Family Connections and Tess Mahnken-Weatherspoon, Program Manager, of Hillside’s Institute for Family Connections.

]]> Hillside believes that everyone benefits from stronger families.  A healthy, stable family environment provides stability in the life of a child.  This podcast episode highlights the work of Hillside’s Institute for Family Connections (Hillside IFC).  The IFC provides support and increases permanency in the life of every child we serve.  Maria Cristalli talks with Marsha Whitley, Director, of Hillside’s Institute for Family Connections and Tess Mahnken-Weatherspoon, Program Manager, of Hillside’s Institute for Family Connections.

]]> Hillside Children's Center Buzzsprout-11988217 Thu, 05 Jan 2023 15:00:00 -0500 1325 1 3 full false Living Our Values in Residential Treatment Hillside’s extraordinary staff live the values, every day.   This podcast episode highlights how we approach our work at the Monroe Avenue campus.  Hillside’s values of Caring, Inclusion, and Excellence drive everything we do.  Maria Cristalli talks with Alisa Burke, Unit Manager, of Hillside’s Residential Treatment program and Theresa Canavan, Program Manager, of Hillside’s Residential Treatment program.

]]> Hillside’s extraordinary staff live the values, every day.   This podcast episode highlights how we approach our work at the Monroe Avenue campus.  Hillside’s values of Caring, Inclusion, and Excellence drive everything we do.  Maria Cristalli talks with Alisa Burke, Unit Manager, of Hillside’s Residential Treatment program and Theresa Canavan, Program Manager, of Hillside’s Residential Treatment program.

]]> Hillside Children's Center Buzzsprout-11883702 Fri, 16 Dec 2022 07:00:00 -0500 1439 1 2 full false Proud History, Bright Future So much has changed in 185 years! This launch of our new podcast series explores Hillside’s legacy of service—the circumstances of our founding in 1837, and how our work has evolved to match the needs of our community. Maria Cristalli talks with Dr. Richard Gangemi, Past Chair of Hillside’s Board of Governors and the retired Chief Medical Officer of Rochester Regional Health; and Hillside Board Chair Jill Knittel, President & CEO at JK Executive Strategies, LLC. 

]]> So much has changed in 185 years! This launch of our new podcast series explores Hillside’s legacy of service—the circumstances of our founding in 1837, and how our work has evolved to match the needs of our community. Maria Cristalli talks with Dr. Richard Gangemi, Past Chair of Hillside’s Board of Governors and the retired Chief Medical Officer of Rochester Regional Health; and Hillside Board Chair Jill Knittel, President & CEO at JK Executive Strategies, LLC. 

]]> Hillside Children's Center Buzzsprout-11671647 Thu, 10 Nov 2022 14:00:00 -0500 1461 1 1 full false