Developmental Disabilities Services
Services to the Developmentally Disabled and Their Families
Sue-Chin
About a year ago, Sue-Chin, a 52-year-old Chinese woman, came to ACMHS in her wheelchair. Her sister brought Sue-Chin to ACMHS because she had read in a Chinese-language newspaper about the Community Integration Services for Asians (CISA) program that assists people with developmental disabilities.
Our DD Unit serves primarily monolingual API families. Services are most often provided in community settings and include assessment, case management, parent training and support, resource development, advocacy, and one-on-one training to build independent living skills. The goal is to promote normalization and consumer involvement as individuals develop to their fullest potential and live as independently as possible.
- Case management services provide coordination on behalf of API families to access other community resources, including residential day and employment programs, special education services, and rehabilitation options, with a goal of keeping the client with the family and out of restricted residential settings.
- Early Intervention program for Asian infants and toddlers with developmental delays includes stimulation program, speech therapy, physical therapy, behavioral intervention, respite and service coordination between family and providers.
- Community Integration Services for Asians (CISA) improves participants' community awareness, socialization, and independent-living through hands-on training in basic life skills including using public transportation,making purchases and cooking.
- Adult Day Program serves Asian adults with developmental disabilities at our licensed site in Richmond, with activities like arts and crafts, music and singing, physical exercises, and life skill training such as safety awareness, food preparation and basic math.
- Parent conferences address a specific topic each year to improve parents’ understanding of their rights and information on community resources.
- Parent support activities foster a network of peer assistance to empower family members to advocate for specific services that meet individual and family needs. A past parent group has spun off to become its own corporate entity.
- Intake and assessment help API famlies with DD children enter the Regional Center system where they can access the above and other services.
Several barriers prevent API children with developmental disabilities from getting the important services they need. Read more...