COMMUNITY SUPPORTS

 

1. Provide technical assistance and advocacy to individuals and families who experience difficulty in accessing needed community-based services and supports to enable them to live productive, inclusive lifestyles.

 

2. Track, promote and comment on relevant legislation and regulatory changes at the local, state, and federal level and disburse updates to interested parties.

 

3. As resources permit, monitor and analyze the policies and procedures of publicly funded agencies serving people with developmental disabilities.

 

4. Participate collaboratively in efforts to reform and strengthen the developmental disability service system.  

 

5. Promote efforts to implement the Olmstead Plan and other initiatives aimed at reducing the incidence of institutionalization.

 

6. Advocate for a fair and family-responsive process for California’s implementation of the new Adoption Assistance Program rate structure.   

 

 

EDUCATION & EARLY INTERVENTION

 

1. Advocate to ensure that young children and their families receive timely and appropriate Early Start services and smooth transitions to the school system.

 

2. Provide advocacy assistance to students who experience barriers to accessing appropriate educational services and supports.

 

3. Establish an ad hoc subcommittee to explore ways to promote and expand effective inclusion in the schools.

 

4. Provide at least four presentations on special education rights to parent groups.

 

5. Develop a free-standing IEP strategy guide in English and Spanish that can be easily disseminated.

 

 

EMPLOYMENT

 

1. Continue collaboration with the University Centers of Excellence on National Service opportunities and other career development activities. 

 

2. Participate collaboratively with key stakeholders and policy makers in the implementation of the SB 1270 report’s recommendations aimed at expanding access to work opportunities.

 

3. Co-sponsor a symposium on school-to-work transition in partnership with Eastern Los Angeles Regional Center.

 

4. Participate in the UCLA Tarjan Center post-secondary education consortium aimed at increasing access to post-secondary education options for youth. 

 

 

HEALTH

 

1. Participate as appropriate in local work groups in the design of Medi-Cal managed care in Los Angeles County.

 

2. Participate in developing guidelines for the peer review of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) for persons who receive regional center services.   

 

 

HOUSING

 

1. Continue to work with and advocate for those regional centers and government officials who have committed to developing and expanding affordable housing units.

 

2. Participate in the regional centers’ resource development and implementation of their Community Placement Plans (CPPs) to facilitate the movement of developmental center residents into community-based living arrangements of their choosing.

 

3. Publicize and speak out against incidents of NIMBYism.

 

 

QUALITY ASSURANCE

 

1. Continue to support and facilitate the activities of the Self-Advocacy Board of L.A. County (SABLAC). Begin planning for a Self-Advocacy conference in the fall of 2008.

 

2. In collaboration with SABLAC and People First, conduct outreach to increase the number of self-advocates in our region by 10%.

 

3. Continue to facilitate the participation of our region’s representative to People First of California.

 

4. Promote and assist in establishing at least two youth self-advocacy groups, at least one of which is geared to the needs and interests of a minority community.

 

5. In partnership with the USC UCEDD, assist the South Los Angeles Youth & Youth Adult Determination Center (SLAYD) to develop mentors and other self-advocacy resources for African-American and Latino youth in the L.A. Unified School District.

 

6. Promote the statewide expansion of  Self-Directed Services in a consistent, family-friendly manner through speaking engagements, outreach, training and advocacy while continuing to support the effectiveness of the existing Eastern Los Angeles Pilot.

 

7. Continue to implement the Life Quality Assessment Project, an element of California’s CMS Quality Assurance Plan.

 

8. Partner with Protection & Advocacy and other key stakeholders in advocating for remedies to address the pervasive problem of interagency disputes within the developmental disability system. 

 

9. Ensure that residents of the Lanterman Developmental Center have their rights protected and are afforded the opportunity to make their preferences and wishes known and respected.

 

10. In collaboration with our federal partners, advocate for appropriate corrective measures at Lanterman Developmental Center to ensure the safety and well-being of its residents.

 

11. In conjunction with the Supported Life Institute and local partners, plan for the first of an annual Supported Life Conference South, tentatively beginning in 2008.

 

12. Provide outreach, training, and support to develop new leaders in diverse communities.

 

13. As funds permit, continue to translate Area Board 10 publications. Investigate the viability of offering translation of our web site

 

 

TRANSPORTATION

 

1. Keep the community informed regarding settlement provisions with Access Services, Inc (ASI). Continue to provide input as appropriate to MTA, ASI and city and county officials regarding transportation policies, practices and service needs.

 

2. Advocate for Access Services, Inc. to develop an online booking system.

 

3. Continue participation in the Regional Centers’ Paratransit Group to promote more responsive transportation services. Continue to recruit partners and pursue funding for a coordinated human services transportation system.