A Caretaker/Parent

1. Able Act- California Achieving a Better Life Experience (CalABLE) is a new program that will allow people with disabilities to establish a tax-advantaged ABLE account that allows them to save up to $14,000 (currently) per year and up to $100,000 in total without losing vital public benefits such as SSI or SSDI. Earnings in these accounts are not subject to federal income tax or California state income tax, so long as the earnings are spent on Qualified Disability Expenses. CalABLE began operations July 1, 2016 and is anticipated to open for business summer 2017.1
2. Able Act Fact Sheet by the ARC
3. Able Act Information- California State Treasurer
4. ABLE Act Brief May 18 2017
5. Able Act factsheet-extensive-en-us
6. Cal Able FAQ
7. Cal Able- Chinese
8. Cal Able Espanol
9. Cal Able Vietnamese

Regional centers provide a wide array of services for individuals with developmental disabilities. Each center provides diagnosis and assessment of eligibility, and helps plan, access, coordinate and monitor services and supports. Once eligibility is determined, most services and supports are free regardless of age or income; however, there are a few exceptions. For example, the Parental Fee Program requires that the parent(s) of a minor receiving 24-hour out-of-home residential services be assessed a fee for services.

Learn More: DDS Service Page 

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1. Conservatorship Information:
   A conservatorship is a court case where a judge appoints a responsible person or organization (called the “conservator”) to care for another adult (called the “conservatee”) who cannot care for himself or herself or manage his or her own finances
2. Limited Conservatorship Information 
3. National Supported Decision Making 
4. Steps in Supported Decision Making
5. Supported Decision Making Weblinks
6. SARC Supported Decision-Making (SDM)
7. SARC Conservatorship Policy: Conservatorship-Policy-June-20-2022

Information about emergency preparedness can be found here:

• For families/individuals:  click here 
• For vendors: click here

• Latest Bulletins: click here 

Autism Safety Information : The Parental Guide to keeping kids with Autism safe

Adulthood checklist – Families of teens with autism and developmental disabilities are often overwhelmed by the complexities of transitioning out of the school system into the fragmented and confusing system of adult care. This checklist is intended to provide an overview of many of the elements to consider during this transition period and beyond. Thank you to the Autism Society of the Bay Area for this informative checklist

APPS for Transition age youth:  Apps for Transition Age Youth

Disability.gov:    Welcome to Disability.gov, the U.S. federal government website for information on disability programs and services nationwide.

IEP help in California 

Meriah Nichols Guide– a general resource guide for a variety of services.

Respite- A Respite Care Handbook for Latino Parents written by Daniel Fenton: Respite Care Handbook WAVE 5 SPAN

Single Mothers Grants – This is a general directory of programs that offer assistance for various needs.

Visit our webpage:  School Information 

In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) Program

The IHSS Program will help pay for services provided to you so that you can remain safely in your own home. To be eligible, you must be over 65 years of age, or disabled, or blind. Disabled children are also potentially eligible for IHSS. IHSS is considered an alternative to out-of-home care, such as nursing homes or board and care facilities.

The types of services which can be authorized through IHSS are housecleaning, meal preparation, laundry, grocery shopping, personal care services (such as bowel and bladder care, bathing, grooming and paramedical services), accompaniment to medical appointments, and protective supervision for the mentally impaired

Disability Rights IHSS checklist- Prepare for IHSS assessment 

Medi-cal Application Information 

Medi-cal Benefits_Chart

Mental Health Support– We are a network of licensed and professional clinical counselors, therapists, and psychologists who uphold clear, compassionate values in therapy for effective and lasting change. We maintain strong academic rigor, as therapists on Theravive hold advanced degrees and are required to be fully licensed to practice counseling.

Mental Health- Medi-cal Behavioral Health– Assembly Bill 102, which Governor Brown signed into law on June 28, 2011, requires the transfer of Medi-Cal-related mental health functions from the Department of Mental Health to the Department of Health Care Services by July 1, 2012. This is not a change in mental health benefits or eligibility. Medi-Cal-related mental health functions are now handled by the Mental Health Services Division.

CA START (California Systemic, Therapeutic, Assessment, Resources, & Treatment) is a proactive approach for people who are at-risk and those who provide them support. It creates a support network able to respond to crisis needs at the community level by providing community-based person-center supports that enable a person to remain in their home or community residence.

Learn more here: CA START 

• SARC PARENT Support Groups

Social Service Agency:  The Social Services Agency is a culturally sensitive and socially responsible public agency providing high quality, professional, financial, and protective services for residents of Santa Clara County.

Social Services in Monterey County 

Social Services in San Benito County 

Social Services in Santa Cruz County 

1. DD and Law Enforcement- This presentation is used by San Andreas Staff in educating law enforcement
2. Safety:  People of all ages with disabilities or other special needs are especially vulnerable to facing bullying, abuse, or assault. We’ve been successful in teaching self-protection and personal safety skills to tens of thousands of children, teens, and adults with difficult life challenges such as: developmental delays; difficulty with vision, hearing, or mobility; or personal struggles with domestic violence, homelessness, substance abuse, or being a survivor of childhood sexual abuse
3. DDS Safety Net:  For Health, Safety, and a better life
4. PG&E- Medical Baseline Program MBL CBO Training Feb 2022

• Silver Alert–  The California Highway Patrol responds to missing people with developmentally disabled.

Social Security Benefits: Angelina Valle & Associates

Description: The attorneys of Angelina Valle & Associates advocate for individuals with disabilities and their families in the process of winning social security and long-term disability benefits.

SSI Information: SSI fact sheet 2023

Disability Benefits 101– Disability Benefits 101 gives you tools and information on health coverage, benefits, and employment. You can plan ahead and learn how work and benefits go together.

We invite you to join us for a discussion on the topic of the month as well as an opportunity to connect with some of the providers that support our community and provide those services. 

Topic Talks 2024 - English Translation[78]

Chúng tôi kính mời bạn tham gia cùng chúng tôi để thảo luận về chủ đề của tháng cũng như cơ hội kết nối với một số nhà cung cấp hỗ trợ cộng đồng của chúng ta và cung cấp các dịch vụ đó. 

Topic Talks 2024 - Vietnamese Translation[22]

Los invitamos a unirse a nosotros para una discusión sobre el tema del mes, así como también la oportunidad de conectarse con algunos de los proveedor es que apoyan nuestra comunidad y brindan esos servicios.

Topic Talks 2024 - Spanish Translation[49]