Alliant International University’s Family Support Services program, a partnership with Ronald McDonald House of Southern California, won the top honor at the 2015 Ronald McDonald House Charities International Conference in Chicago. The prestigious annual award, the Hearts and Hand Award: Expanded Reach, was among programs from 60 countries across the globe competing for the award’s $10,000 grant to continue building the program.

The partnership provides support services for families with sick children in the Los Angeles, Pasadena, and Stanford areas. The University’s Board of Trustees awarded the Family Support Services Program $50,000 in funding last May, and it has also received generous support from the Rose Hills Foundation in Los Angeles.

The partnership connects Ronald McDonald House to a Family Support Specialist from Alliant, providing ongoing support and care for families staying at the Ronald McDonald House and for the staff and volunteers that work there. Alliant practicum students, interns, and post-doctoral fellows at the California School of Professional Psychology at Los Angeles, participate in off-campus field work at Ronald McDonald House. Alliant community members have the opportunity to improve their practice by working directly with children and families as well as training staff and volunteers.

“Our unique partnership with the Ronald McDonald House is an outstanding example of higher education, business and philanthropy working together to support vulnerable children and families,” said Alliant President Geoff Cox. “We are honored to be working with the Los Angeles Ronald McDonald House and look forward to continue serving the children and families in the region.”

Dr. Susan Regas, Distinguished Professor of Psychology at CSPP, oversees the partnership with Ronald McDonald House. Dr. Regas said the program is an example of Alliant students and faculty generating social impact while advancing their own studies and professional development.

About Alliant International University

Alliant International University is a global institution of higher education with graduate and undergraduate programs spanning psychology and mental health, education, business and management, criminology and law. Alliant focuses on preparing students for professional careers of service and leadership, with more than one million hours of community service performed by our students each year. Alliant is recognized as one of the leading U.S. universities in diversity and minority education by INSIGHT into Diversity and Diverse: Issues in Higher Education magazines and as a military-friendly school by Military Advanced Education Magazine and Victory Media. Degree programs are available in six California cities: Fresno, Irvine, Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Diego and San Francisco; in three international capitals: Mexico City, Hong Kong and Tokyo; and online. Alliant is a private university accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and by other specialized and international accreditors. For more information visit www.alliant.edu.

About Ronald McDonald House Charities

Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC), an independent non-profit 501 (c) (3) corporation, creates, finds and supports programs that directly improve the health and well-being of children. Through its global network of local Chapters in 62 countries and regions, its three core programs, the Ronald McDonald House®, the Ronald McDonald Family Room® and the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile®, and millions of dollars in grants to support children's programs worldwide, RMHC provides stability and vital resources to families so they can get and keep their children healthy and happy. All RMHC-operated and supported programs provide access to quality health care and give children and families the time they need together to heal faster and cope better. For more information, visit www.rmhc.org, follow RMHC on Twitter (@RMHC), or like RMHC on Facebook (Facebook.com/RMHC Global).