Day Programs

Day programs are community-based programs for individuals served by a regional center. They are designed to provide interesting activities and training opportunities in a structured setting. The planning team agrees upon the most appropriate program in advance and then the services are included in the person’s Individual Program Plan (IPP). Day program services may be at a fixed location or out in the community.

Types of services available through a day program support the development of:

Self-help and self-care skills.

The ability to interact with others, making one’s needs known and responding to instructions.

Self-advocacy and employment skills.

Community integration skills such as accessing community services and resources.

Behavior management to help improve behaviors.

Social and recreational skills.

There are many different types of day programs that provide a diverse range of opportunities for persons with developmental disabilities. If you are interested in learning more about day program services, ask your Service Coordinator for assistance. Some day programs have waiting lists, so it is important to plan in advance.

Camp and Social Recreation

Changes in the law now allow regional centers to fund camping, social recreation, and sometimes educational or non-medical therapy services. The planning team decides if these should be included in the individual’s Individual Program Plan (IPP). If approved and added to the IPP, there is no cost to the individual.

Individual Choice Day Services

Committed to person centered practices, TCRC supports alternatives to traditional day services. We encourage the development of a network in an individual’s community in order to find natural and inexpensive resources to support their Individual Program Plan. 

Supported Employment

Adults who wish to obtain competitive integrated employment may be eligible for Supported Employment services. These services help individuals prepare for, obtain, and maintain paid work in integrated community settings. Supports may include job development, job coaching, individualized training at the worksite, transportation training, and other employment-related supports identified through the person-centered planning process. The individual, Service Coordinator, Department of Rehabilitation, and other planning team members work together to determine which services and supports are most appropriate based on the person’s strengths, interests, abilities, and informed choice.

Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) emphasizes competitive integrated employment as the goal of Supported Employment services. This may include customized employment, an individualized approach to employment tailored to the person and the needs of the employer.

Program participants learn health and medication management along with community living skills like nutritional cooking, personal hygiene, banking, money management, public transportation, safety and recreational planning.

Living Options

Some individuals choose to live independently from family in their own home or in a licensed residential facility. If the person chooses to live in their own apartment, an application for subsidized housing may be appropriate. There is a long waiting list for most subsidized housing options, so an application should be made well in advance. Supported Living Services (SLS) may be provided when an individual chooses to live in the community with assistance. The Service Coordinator can let you know what options might be available in your community.  

Licensed residential homes are located in community settings and can be an option for either adults or children. Family Home Agencies can provide similar home-like settings as well. The goal for all residential services is to maintain the highest level of independence possible, while offering the person a safe place to live. Residential services include:

Coordinated Family Supports (CFS)

Licensed Residential Homes.

Adult Family Home Agencies.

Independent Living Services (ILS).

Supported Living Services (SLS).

Coordinated Family Supports (CFS)

Coordinated Family Supports (CFS) is a service for adults age 18 and older who are served by a regional center and choose to live in their family home. CFS is designed to help individuals and their families continue living together successfully by improving coordination of services and reducing gaps in care. The service helps families better understand and use available resources, including medical care and SSI, schedule appointments, arrange transportation, and plan for the future, especially as caregivers age. Providers develop a personalized service plan to reduce barriers, build independence, and support individual goals, with services delivered in ways that respect each family’s language and culture. Supports are mainly provided in the home and community and are flexible to meet changing needs. To get started, individuals can contact their Service Coordinator or complete an interest form to request a referral and assessment.

Licensed Residential Homes

Community Care Facilities (CCFs) are licensed by the state to provide 24-hour non-medical care and supervision to children and adults who are in need of personal services, supervision and/or assistance with tasks that are essential for self-protection or to sustain activities of daily living. Based upon the types of services provided and the needs of the persons served, each facility is assigned a level of care designation. Homes are located in neighborhoods throughout the three counties.

Intermediate Care Facilities (ICFs) offer 24- hour personal care, habilitation, developmental, and supportive health services to people with a recurring, but intermittent, need for nursing services. They are licensed by the California Department of Public Health.

Adult Family Home Agencies

Adult Family Home Agencies coordinate care for people living in homes that have been certified to provide care to non-related adults. The providers offer family-type care to the people living with them, and generally provide care to only one or two adults at a time. The Adult Family Home Agency is responsible for developing, supporting and monitoring the homes, and they work with Service Coordinators to make a good match between the homes and people who are interested in living in a home-like environment.

Independent Living Services (ILS)

Independent Living Services (ILS) may be an option for an adult who wishes to live independently, yet needs some support to develop skills such as money or household management. Training focuses on areas of daily living such as budgeting, shopping, health care, meal preparation, and use of public transportation. Planning teams agree in advance upon the appropriate level of service and meet regularly to monitor progress. The purpose is to prepare individuals for successful and long-term independent living. 

Supported Living Services (SLS)

For adults who wish to live independently, Supported Living Services may be an option. They are customized for each individual to meet needs that are identified in the Individual Program Plan. Services are determined by the planning team for assistance with common daily living and routine household activities. In some situations, training and habilitation services are provided to increase a person’s ability to meet his or her own needs without assistance. These services help a person make progress toward becoming more independent. Some examples of training may include learning about home care, self care, meal preparation and how to access public transportation.

To determine whether SLS is a good fit for an individual, the planning team will consider that person’s financial capability, availability of housing, ability to participate in their own support and to communicate their own decisions. The decision to pursue SLS is centered on the person receiving services. For more information regarding the principles that guide the planning team’s decision-making and referral criteria and assessments, see the SLS brochure “Are Supported Living Services Right for Me?” created by the People’s Advisory Committee (PAC).

Senior Services

During retirement planning, the planning team recognizes that a person over the age of 60 may need services and supports similar to a senior citizen. However, primary services, funded by the regional center, will continue to be available. 

Supports, services and program options provided to a senior may assist that individual to retain his or her ability to function as independently as possible. Goals for seniors include remaining mobile, physically capable and competent in activities of daily living. 

Primary program services for seniors include activities which promote the following:  age appropriate leisure and recreation opportunities, general health and well-being, social and friendship circles, life review and reminiscence, and adjustment to loss. 

Transportation

A Transportation Access Plan (TAP) will be developed by the IPP planning team. The plan describes how individuals use specialized or public transportation, such as to day services or employment. TCRC may fund transportation to day services when generic resources are not feasible.

With an emphasis on safety, travel training is a program that teaches people with developmental disabilities to access public transit services within their community. The trainees learn to read service schedules and perhaps even learn to route their trip. Common forms of travel include public transit buses, walking and riding a bike. Although the most popular training destination is from home to program and back, training may be provided to other locations as needed.