CDSA
The California Disability Services Association – is a professional trade association representing 100 community-based, non-profit direct care service providers to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities conditions including, but not limited to, mental retardation, cerebral palsy, autism, epilepsy, and other conditions similar to mental retardation or requiring treatment similar to mental retardation.
Our goal is to provide quality services to individuals who require long-term supports and to promote independent choice through the Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Services Act (Lanterman Act). Originally enacted in 1969, Lanterman promised each person with a developmental disability, regardless of age or degree of disability, the services and supports necessary to live as independently and productively as possible in their own community.
The rights of children and adults with developmental disabilities and the obligations of the state toward them are implemented through the individual program plan (IPP). The IPP is required to include goals and objectives for the consumer, and is to specifically identify who will be responsible for implementing the goals/objectives, when the activities will start and the frequency of the services and supports. Through the IPP process, the needs of the individual are assessed and the services and supports are identified that will meet the individual needs of each consumer. The services and supports identified in the IPP are guaranteed to that consumer – it is a legal entitlement.
Common services include:
- Out-of-home residential services;
- Day programs enabling people to gain skills vital to independent living;
- Work programs allowing people to find jobs, earn wages, and become productive taxpaying citizens;
- Transportation services enabling the person with a disability fuller access to all their community has to offer;
- Supported living services enabling a consumer to live in her or his own home;
- Respite services enabling caregivers an opportunity for relief; and
- Early intervention services for children from birth to three years of age.
The coordination of the purchase of services (POS) are the responsibility of one of 21 Regional Centers. These centers are under contract with the Department of Developmental Services to provide localized intake and assessment, to conduct the IPP meetings, provide ongoing follow-through monitoring and quality assessment reviews, and coordinate the actual purchase of services.
We respect the dignity, diversity of needs, feelings, and independent thought of our consumers. Working daily to promote their independence, we work in conjunction with parents and families, the Regional Centers, and other advocacy networks to promote better understanding of the system and the services utilized by over 190,000 individuals with developmental disabilities throughout the state.
As non-profit businesses deriving a majority of our funding from the state, we have struggled with the fiscal crisis that has sent waves throughout our service system. Skyrocketing business costs, including workers’ compensation premiums and numerous unfunded state mandates have caused it to become increasingly difficult to continue providing premier services to our consumers. While we wish to continue offering the highest quality of care, we urge the state to recognize the tremendous burden placed upon non-profits during this difficult time. The budget crisis hit will absolutely overwhelm the best programs and services if all we do is cut and especially in our case, underfund them. The programs and services that are meant to make California healthy and safe are already pushed to the limit, leaving little room for government or nonprofit organizations to creatively address community concerns. (California Association of Nonprofits)
The only alternative to community-based care would be institutionalization in a more expensive state-operated facility. With the State facing court ordered deinstitutionalization programs, it is not a viable solution to consider the alternative and placing individuals back into hospital-like settings that allow them little or no independence in their lives.
As we continue to move forward, we will stay true to our goal of improving the livelihood of individuals with developmental disabilities throughout California. Through the Lanterman Act, the State made a promise to its citizens that it would care for people, regardless of their need. It is time that California fully live up to its promise and allow the community to provide high-quality service for those who are most in need of it.