Any CA Regional Center Experiences?

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At first glance, ILS seems like some type of impersonal bureaucratic acronym, yet represents services crucial to boosting independence. For the most part, ILS services are responsive to the needs to their clientele.

In late 2015, the CA Regional Center system changed it's eligibility requirements to serve clients with mild developmental disabilities e.g., High-Functioning Autism, Aspergers.

Yet, ILS resources seem to remain “out of synch” with the new 2015 eligibility criteria; that is ILS resources are largely unresponsive to clientele with "least restrictions to independence." Hence, the sentiment concerning Aspergers can only interpret the ILS acronym as…..an increasingly meaningless acronym.

The Author of the book ‘NeuroTribes: The Legacy of Autism and the Future of Neurodiversity’ Steve Silberman wrote the February, 2016 story 'Why is Silicon Valley the Home of Autism?’ (LINK to story at bottom of post).

Silberman’s story mentioned Ron Huff of the California Department of Developmental Services (the agency that oversees developmental services in CA). Huff assessed data from the agency’s Regional Centers in the Silicon Valley area, as well as data elsewhere in CA.

Huff’s findings indicated the Silicon Valley area has a disproportionately strong demand for Autism services. The question that begs to be asked, and answered, “Did Mr. Huff’s assessments incorporate demand for services appropriate for High-Functioning Autism?”

Up until the February, 2016 article 'Why is Silicon Valley the Home of Autism?’ there have been no published mentions of Ron Huff himself. No mentions of the growing efforts on the parts of both CA Regional Centers, and their non-profit vendors (under contract for ILS services) to develop, and support services appropriate for clientele with "least restrictions to independence."

Ron Huff’s findings seems to present something like “a goldmine of resources” to encourage the support, and development of services to serve an increasingly diverse clientele. Yet, it appears that a key “window of opportunity” has ended-up “lost in the shuffle!!” Let’s go beyond asking..WHY??

From the start, it appears that reassessing, and adding services aimed at an ever diverse clientele is “a win-win situation across the board” for both clientele, and service providers alike. Opportunities for service providers to receive much needed funding, as well as important experience to better assist their clientele. Yet, are many service providers concerned that expressing interest in even slightly “out of the box” approaches will place their jobs in jeopardy?

Regardless, it’s very much like a situation where our own allies are seemingly “asleep at the wheel” - and sooner or later, everybody’s interests are hurt “across the board!”

Still “scratching our heads” and asking....WHY? What gives?

LINK: 'Why is Silicon Valley the Home of Autism?’ http://www.mamamia.com.au/autism-research/

Thank-you

People want to believe their is a simple solution to a difficult problem that is costly to fix.

If we spend all that money on scientific research they owe us an answer.

When we ask, "what is ILS?," it can be treated as a rhetorical question. ILS is an acronym for (Independent Living Services); that is services offered by the CA Regional Center system (established by the 'Lanterman Act') to assist developmentally disabled clients with both routine (and not so routine) tasks of living independently.

As mentioned in the original post, the CA Regional Center system provides important services that are responsive to the needs to their clientele most of the time. Yet, for clientele with mild developmental disabilities e.g., Aspergers, there is naturally both surprise, and even discomfort with the notions of needing services from the CA Regional Center system. And for valid reasons.

As with the purpose of this post, just what incentives are needed develop services that are responsive to clientele with least restrictions to independence?

One area of services deserving serious consideration draws parallels to senior citizen services geared towards elders who can function with "least restrictions to independence." Such services can involve advisors, advocates who are periodically consulted to assist as "third-parties" to be present in navigating those tricky consumer concerns e.g., purchasing a vehicle, tenant/property concerns, filling out paperwork.

Without anything even similar to responsive services, our only choices are to be resourceful, especially as it concerns keeping private-pay service options affordable. Can private-pay options be temporary; provided that public, and non-profit services alike "get their acts together?"

Services for Aspies are hard because you really need the insights of other Aspies to figure out what Aspies are talking about. And maybe not even then, for the harder cases. But, how are you going to get Aspies to help out when the natural inclination is to avoid service and social type jobs? Perhaps the best people to help out are the engineering parents of Aspies, but they are too busy working at high paying jobs.

One idea may be to have these engineering parents design assistive robots.

From what I've read, agencies such as 'The ARC' and 'United Cerebral Palsy (UCP)' are very good; that is these agencies have had decades of experience with developmental disabilities, as well as becoming receptive towards serving people with mild developmental disabilities e.g., the spectrum of high-functioning Autism.

There remains confusion regarding just how much the CA Regional Center system supports 'The ARC' and UCP. Here is a chance for non-profits to receive much needed money while serving an increasingly diverse clientele.

Yet, again, it's seems that service providers must reassess, and redefine the roles of services appropriate for adults with least restrictions to independence in order to avoid further confusion. A "win-win" environment across the board!

[ADDENDUM: SEE NOTE at end of post]

Is it true that most WrongPlanet (WP) members in CA are both surprised, and uncomfortable with the notions of receiving services through the 'CA Regional Center' system? Hence, is sentiment "at a point" where many people on (WP) are uncomfortable with even posting their experiences on (WP)?

In 2015, CA Regional Centers' eligibility requirements were changed to include clientele least impacted by their disabilities e.g., High-Functioning Autism.'

From personal experience, the CA Regional Centers' non-governmental vendors (enlisted to deliver 'Independent Living Support' (ILS) services) appear way too slow in understanding the needs of clientele with High Functioning Autism.

Hence, I'm undertaking the majority of the "leg work" to educate my ILS provider of their roles!