American Council of the Blind (ACB) is a national organization of blind, visually impaired, and sighted individuals whose purpose is to work toward independence, security, equality of opportunity, and improved quality of life for all blind and visually impaired people. ACB programs and services include:

• "ACB Braille Forum," a bimonthly publication available in braille, large print, on NLS-style cartridge (audio), by email subscription, podcast, and at www.acb.org. It also plays on ACB Media Networks Channel 10. The magazine is free to members; all others pay $25 per format per year.
• A number of college scholarships (must be legally blind in both eyes). The application goes live on acb.org on November 1, and must be returned by the deadline.
• An annual conference featuring a large trade show of the latest high- and low-tech gadgets for blind and visually impaired individuals, as well as a wide variety of breakout sessions, seminars, workshops, technology training classes, and more. Volunteer opportunities are available; contact the national office for details.
• An internet radio station, ACB Media Network (https://acbmedia.org/), with a variety of streams. ACB Radio Café features music by blind musicians. Mainstream features include content from the International Association of Audio Information Services as well as a variety of talk shows. Treasure Trove offers such old-time radio shows as The Jack Benny Show, Gunsmoke, Red Skelton, Fibber McGee and Molly, Gene Autry, and many others. The ACB Community channel offers both live and pre-recorded content from ACB sponsored community events.
• ACB Community Events are calls/Zoom events on a variety of topics that people can participate in. For the weekly schedule, visit www.acb.org/acb-community-events, or call 1-800-424-8666 and choose Community Calls.

California Department of Developmental Services (CDDS) is the agency through which the State of California provides services and supports to individuals with developmental disabilities.

These disabilities include intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, autism and related conditions. Services are provided through state-operated developmental centers and community facilities, and contracts with 21 nonprofit regional centers. The regional centers serve as a local resource to help find and access the services and supports available to individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.

California Department of Rehabilitation assists Californians with disabilities to obtain and retain employment and maximize their ability to live independently in their communities. Eligible individuals are assisted in finding employment and/or independent living. Vocational training and counseling are also available.

California Department of Rehabilitation works in partnership with consumers and others to provide services and advocacy resulting in employment, independent living, and equality for individuals with disabilities.

Services include:

• Counseling
• Guidance and referral of services
• Vocational and other training assistance
• Transportation services
• Books
• Supplies
• Tools
• Equipment
• Technology assistance
• Supported employment services and assessment and evaluation services

California Mentor provides homes for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are 18 years and older.

Currently, only one to two clients are accepted per home. Case management services are provided. Bi-weekly home visits with the program coordinators are made.

This organization is part of the Mentor Network.

Permanent Supportive Housing is primarily directed to serving the needs of households consisting of an adult homeless person with a permanent disabling condition but also serves homeless households where the head of household is disabled. The program provides rent support and strongly encourages that qualifying participants receive ongoing support services from either the referring agency or a social service agency. Additionally, a self-sufficiency plan is developed with specific goals to assist members of the household toward self-sufficiency. Households must be able to provide for basic living needs in addition to rent.

Households that believe they meet eligibility requirements should contact Central Valley Low Income Housing for full details.

Central Valley Training Center, Inc. (CVTC) strives to integrate services for people with developmental disabilities by promoting their rights and supporting each individual in acquiring the skills needed to achieve their personal goals. CVTC offers the Day Program which provides self-advocacy, community integration and employment training.

Community Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired (CCBVI) provides case management, personal adjustment support, accessible computer classes, orientation and mobility, independent living skills training, Braille, career development, soft skills, summer camps (ages 8 to 18), social and recreational programs, resources, and referrals.

The mission is to assist the blind and visually impaired in the greater San Joaquin County area. Services are designed to promote cognizance of potential and self-worth, maximize independent functioning, and enhance integration into the general mainstream of society.

CouponChief.com provides a detailed look at ways those with disabilities can stretch their dollars. Discounts, services, and special offers for people with disabilities are widely available. Visit couponchief.com for detailed information on how individuals with disabilities can find discounts and savings on goods and services.

Del Oro Caregiver Resource Center offers a host of free services to unpaid family caregivers in Northern California’s Gold Country counties -- Alpine, Amador, Calaveras, Colusa, El Dorado, Nevada, Placer, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Sierra, Sutter, Yolo and Yuba.

Del Oro provides the following services:

• Family Consultation/Case Management Services
• Respite Care
• Short-Term Counseling
• Legal/Financial Consultation
• Education and Training

Delta Sculling Center is available for anyone to become more fit, regain/improve health, find a new sport, enjoy the Delta, train for competition, improve their sculling technique, or find an adaptive sport.

Alan Short Center is a non-profit agency that provides opportunities to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The Center creates options that encourages personal growth through programs that bolster life, communication, and vocational skills, art, and other mechanisms.

Studio art utilizes varied medias and includes drawing, painting, and ceramics. Program participants have the opportunity to explore jewelry making, fabric painting/dying, sewing, crochet, photography, and creative writing, to name a few.

Life skills classes include recreational and cultural activities, sports/fitness workouts, and cooking. Daily living skills include conflict resolution and relationship interaction.

Vocational training includes volunteer work with various non-profit agencies, work opportunities in the participant-run store, and janitorial training skills useful at home and at work. Money management is also an option in this area.

ASC is integrated and supports full access to the community, where individuals have the opportunity to engage in community life, control their own personal resources and receive services to the same degree of access as individuals not receiving regional center services. This cultivates more choices, empowerment and independence.

Disability Resource Agency for Independent Living (DRAIL) is a non-profit corporation that is community based, consumer controlled, consumer choice, and a cross disability center for independent living. Serving the counties of Amador, Calaveras, Mariposa, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, and Tuolumne.

DRAIL offers services that are designed to increase the independence of people with disabilities by empowering to improve quality of life.

DRAIL services include:

• Technical assistance and evaluation
• Information, care provider and housing referrals
• Individual and systems advocacy
• Peer advising and peer support volunteer training
• Volunteer services
• Independent living skills
• Benefits advising
• Disability Awareness Sensitivity Training and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
• Motor Voter Registration, braille classes, and assistive technology
• Computer training
• Assisted technology

Disability Rights California is a non-profit organization which advances human and legal rights for persons with disabilities, providing legal assistance to protect those rights including services and issues dealing with special education, Lanterman Act, benefits (i.e. Social Security, Medi-Cal, In-Home Supportive Services), housing rights, employment rights, access to services and more.

Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF) provides referrals, technical assistance, advocacy, and legal support services to parents and other interested parties in the area of disability rights. DREDF is the parent training center and information center for parents of children with disabilities in 30 Northern California counties. Those in other counties may call to inquire about services in their area.

Services include:

• Training and educating people with disabilities and parents of children with disabilities about their rights under state and federal disability rights laws so they can use the laws as tools to challenge exclusion and discrimination, and advocate effectively for full participation in the lives of their communities
• Educate lawyers, service providers, government officials, and many others about disability civil rights laws and policies
• Operating a disability rights legal clinic in collaboration with law schools in the San Francisco Bay Area including Boalt Hall School of Law at the University of California, Berkeley
• Representing clients in leading edge disability rights litigation
• Serving as co–counsel and prepare amicus curiae briefs on behalf of parties that include disability community representatives and members of Congress in disability rights cases heard by the U.S. Supreme Court
• Advocating for the legal rights of individuals and families
• Designing and carrying out strategies that strengthen public policy and that lead to the enactment of federal and state laws protecting and advancing civil rights for people with disabilities such as the Handicapped Children’s Protection Act, the Civil Rights Restoration Act, the landmark 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act, and the IDEA Amendments Act

Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Charities of San Joaquin County is a veteran organization supporting and advocating for the Veterans in the Greater San Joaquin County area. DAV assists indigent and physically, mentally, and socially handicapped veterans by providing scholarship programs, claim counseling, transportation, bus passes, food grants, emergency rent, and utility payments. Financial support is also offered to local disabled veteran chapters, Stockton’s Dignity’s Alcove, and Bi-Annual Veterans Stand Down.

Pediatric Services offers physical and occupational therapy for school-age children living in the Stockton, Modesto, Tracy and Lodi areas.

Family Resource Network (FRN) provides information, referrals and supportive services to families raising children with special needs, as well as to professionals and college students. FRN does not diagnose disabilities and special needs. Some of the services include parent-to-parent support and referrals to community agencies that serve people with disabilities.

FRN has an extensive lending library. Resources include topics of interest for parents of special needs children and professionals who work with children (birth to 22 years of age). Individuals may check out books featuring information about special needs (i.e. autism, cerebral palsy, learning disabilities, etc.) by leaving the required $10 deposit to check out two items for three weeks. FRN serves San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Amador, Calaveras and Tuolumne counties.

FRN operates a Toy Lending Library to be used by families who have children 0 to 3 years old, who are participating in the CA Early Start Program. The Toy Lending Library is available Tuesday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Payee Services is designed to assist clients who receive Social Security Income (SSI) for disability and/or mental health problems manage and budget monthly checks. Payee Services operate the largest homeless focused non-profit Representative Payee in San Joaquin County overseeing accounts totaling over six million dollars.

The purpose is to provide services that ensure the payment of rent, utilities and food needs first, and then provide the recipient with funds that will provide for the purchase of personal care items and services out of the clients remaining resources. Services will be provided in a way that encourages and respects client dignity and participation in determining the use of funds.

Hanot Foundation provides residential services for the developmentally disabled. Services include full residential services, community integration, a social and recreational program, basic training in self-help skills and social development.

The mission is to provide home-like residences for developmentally disabled adults and seniors in a warm, supportive and loving environment that is least restrictive for the individual resident.

Central Valley Autism Project serves individuals with developmental disabilities including Autism Spectrum Disorder. All services provided by CVAP apply the evidence-based principles of Applied Behavior Analysis tailored to meet the ever-changing needs of the individual. All services are developed and managed by highly experienced BCBAs who adhere to the standards of practice and The Guidelines for Responsible Conduct for Behavior Analysts (www.BACB.com).

Services available for those of all ages with varying diagnoses are determined upon assessment and include the following:

Infant/Toddler under age 3

• Early Start Autism Intervention Program (ESAIP)
• Early Intensive Behavioral Treatment Program (EIBT)
• Social Engagement Program for Infants and Toddlers (SEPIT)
• Home, clinic, and community-based

Preschool

• Early Intensive Behavioral Treatment Program (EIBT)
• Social Skills Assessment and Treatment
• Focused Behavioral Intervention (FBI)
• Support Components
• Social Skills Group Classes
• Simulated Preschool Groups
• Home, clinic, school, and community-based

Elementary

• Intensive Behavioral Treatment (IBT)
• Social Skills Assessment and Treatment
• Focused Behavioral Intervention (FBI)
• Support Components
• Social Skills Group Classes
• Home, clinic, school, and community-based

Adolescents/Preteen/Teen

• Social Zone
• Social Skills Group Class
• Social Skills Assessment and Treatment
• Focused Behavioral Intervention (FBI)
• Intensive Behavioral Treatment (IBT)
• Home, clinic, school, and community-based

Adults

• Five-Course Sequence
• Internship
• Prevocational Job Placement
• College Skills Development
• Social Skills Assessment and Treatment

For more information, please call (209) 521-4791 ext. 406 or complete an Intake Form and a staff member will contact you.

Little League Baseball, Inc. is a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote, develop, supervise and voluntarily assist in all lawful ways, the interest of those who will participate in Little League Baseball.

Through proper guidance and exemplary leadership, the Little League program assists youth in developing the qualities of citizenship, discipline, teamwork and physical well-being. By espousing the virtues of character, courage and loyalty, the Little League Baseball program is designed to develop superior citizens rather than superior athletes.

Challenger Division: provides boys and girls with disabilities the opportunity to experience the emotional development and fun of playing Little League Baseball.

Regular season begins with registration in December/January, practice starts in February/March and season play is in April, May and June. Possibilities exist for postseason play in June, July and August. Fall/Winter Ball is offered in September, October and November.

Lodi Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA) provides special education services to Lodi Unified, New Hope, and Oak View School Districts. SELPA serves children with special needs from birth to age 22 years old. Special needs include children with an array of disabilities including severe physical, emotional or learning disabilities. Some may also need a variety of support services such as speech therapy. Students must meet state and federal eligibility requirements.

Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) stands alongside families in the communities they serve to assist and empower children and adults. MDA empowers families with services and support in hometowns across America to help thrive and stay independent, including summer camps for kids, connection to support groups, information on equipment assistance from the community, and more.

Upcoming events: https://www.mda.org/events

National Organization on Disability (NOD) is a private, non-profit organization which seeks to increase the employment rate of people with disabilities by providing employment resources and addressing employment needs.

Today, the National Organization on Disability focuses on increasing employment opportunities for the 80 percent of working-age Americans with disabilities who are not employed. To achieve this goal, NOD offers a suite of workforce solutions, tailored to meet leading companies’ talent needs. NOD has helped some of the world’s most recognized brands be more competitive in today’s global economy by building or enriching their disability inclusion programs.

NorCal Services for Deaf and Hard of Hearing-Stockton/Modesto provides services to deaf, hard of hearing, deaf-blind, late deafened and developmentally disabled deaf/hard of hearing individuals who are without access to community services due to linguistic and cultural barriers. This program also serves individuals with a history or tendency of abuse and emotional crisis centered around the family. All services are provided in the communication mode preferred by the client including sign language, lip reading, and live-time captioning.

Services include:

• Deaf access assistance
• Client advocacy
• Family services
• Community resources
• Communication assistance
• Vocational rehabilitative employment services
• Support groups
• Sign language
• Peer counseling
• Independent living skills
• Community events and activities.

RiteCare Childhood Language Center of Stockton offers quality speech-language pathology services to children and individuals of the community, utilizing best practices, current research, and individualized client-centered treatment planning. Funding for the clinic facility comes from members of the Scottish Rite organization. There is an approximate eight month to a year wait to be evaluated. After the evaluation, the child will be placed on the waiting list for therapy, if warranted.

The clinicians at the Center are senior and graduate students working on a bachelor or master degree in Speech-Language Pathology at University of the Pacific, who are supervised by certified, licensed speech-language pathologists who are faculty members at University of the Pacific.

Public Guardian/Conservator’s Office assists people who need protection of their personal needs and/or estate due to their psychiatric or cognitive impairments. Payeeships are offered for people who have mental health diagnoses and are receiving Social Security and/or Veterans benefits.

In Home Supportive Services (IHSS) is a federal, state, and locally funded program designed to provide assistance to eligible aged, blind, and disabled individuals who, without this care, would be unable to remain safely in their own homes, and would be at risk of being placed in a care facility. IHSS is considered an alternative to out-of-home care, such as nursing homes or board and care facilities.

Some services that can be authorized through IHSS include:

• housecleaning
• meal preparation
• laundry
• grocery shopping
• personal care services
• accompaniment to medical appointments
• protective supervision for the mentally impaired

For a YouTube video explaining In Home Supportive Services: https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=YrlZbvg_nZE

San Joaquin County In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) Public Authority (PA) operates a Registry of available home care providers for IHSS recipients.

The IHSS PA offers training classes such as, infection control, fall prevention and dementia care and many others, via an online portal (Care Academy) and certificates are issued once a class is successfully completed.

The IHSS PA is always looking for individuals who are professional, courteous and responsible to work as IHSS providers through the IHSS PA Registry.

Hours are flexible and paid through the IHSS program.

The San Joaquin County Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA) provides essential support to 11 Local Education Agencies (LEAs) within San Joaquin County. Their services are dedicated to assisting students with special needs from birth to 22 years of age. The SELPAs support includes:

• Program/Educational Specialists
  
• Career-Vocational Specialists
• Staff Development Opportunities
• Information Resources

These resources ensure that students receive comprehensive and specialized education tailored to their individual needs.

If you need assistance regarding services, consult your District Special Education Administrator at the phone number listed below. The districts are:

• Banta Elementary School District (209) 229-4651
  
• Escalon Unified School District (209) 838-3591
• Jefferson Elementary School District (209) 839-1842
• Lammersville Unified School District (209) 836-7400
  
• Lincoln Unified School District (209) 953-8726
• Linden Unified School District (209) 887-8127
• Manteca Unified School District (209) 858-0837
• New Jerusalem School District (209) 830-6363
• Ripon Unified School District (209) 599-6144
• Tracy Unified School District (209) 830-3270
• Special Education, County Programs (209) 468-9279*

*Includes Redwood School in Stockton and McFall School in Manteca

Child Health and Disability Prevention Program contracts with medical providers who provide complete health assessments for the early detection and prevention of the diseases and disabilities in children and youth. The program staff members work collaboratively with health care providers to ensure that eligible children receive quality health care. Families are assisted with finding a primary care physician and dentist.

A complete health assessment includes:

• Growth and development check
  
• All needed shots and lab tests
• Dental
• Hearing screening
• Vision
• Appropriate health education information

Disability Support Programs and Services (DSPS) provides equal access to educational opportunities for students with verified disabilities. Staff provide students with quality support services to ensure opportunities for maximum success at San Joaquin Delta College. Services include:

• Counseling
• Testing accommodations
• Reader/note taker services
• Interpreter services
• Use of adaptive equipment
• Assistance with mobility on campus

Students should schedule an appointment to meet with a DSPS counselor. Please call or stop by the DeRicco Building, Room 107.

Mobility/Health Services provides mobility assistance to students with verified disabilities. Hourly use of electric scooters to students with verified disabilities who are registered with DSPS is also offered. ADA tables and chairs are issued, as well as providing accommodation cards.

The health component of the office provides blood pressure checks and basic life support by EMT’s.

San Joaquin Regional Transit District is the regional transit provider for San Joaquin County, serving the Stockton Metropolitan Area and the County with intercity, interregional, and rural transit services.

Our primary mission is to provide a safe, reliable, and efficient transportation system for the region. Please call or visit RTDs website for more route and services details.

RTD Local and Express serve the Stockton Metropolitan Area, connecting RTD’s Express, Intercity, Hopper, and Commuter services. Local routes serve the Downtown Transit Center (DTC), Mall Transfer Station (MTS), and Hammer Transfer Station (HTS).

Hopper Routes: Metro Hopper is a deviated fixed-route service serving popular destinations throughout the Stockton city limits.

• In order to accommodate ADA-certified passengers who are not able to reach fixed-route stops, each Hopper can deviate from its normal route a distance of up to one mile.

County Hopper is a deviated fixed-route service serving San Joaquin County and providing intercity connections between Stockton, Tracy, Lodi, Manteca, Ripon, Lathrop, and Escalon.

• In order to accommodate passengers who are not able to reach their destinations within a rural area, each County Hopper can deviate from its normal route a distance of up to one mile.

RTD offers paratransit service for those who qualify under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This program is specifically designed for those individuals who due to their disability, are functionally unable to use fixed-route services in San Joaquin County.

This service is available seven days a week by appointment only during SMA service hours and within three-quarters of a mile of SMA fixed routes. Persons interested in this service must obtain certification under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) through an eligibility process.

Reservations for paratransit service must be made one to two days in advance. To schedule a ride or check your ride status, please call (209) 943-1111, option 2, option 2.

Reservation Phone Hours:

8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily

To schedule an eligibility interview, call (209) 242-9965.

Services include regular fixed-route bus services:

• Local
• Express
• Hopper
• Commuter

Service First of Northern California (SFNC) is a 501(c)(3) Non-profit Public Benefit Corporation that serves as an umbrella organization and operates ten community based programs. The "Service" focuses on the neediest individuals in the community. Supportive services are provided to individuals that are developmentally disabled, mentally ill, physically disabled, homeless Veterans, Social Security beneficiaries, and those struggling with addiction.

Services offered:

• Representative Payee Services in Modesto and Stockton
• Supportive Living Services for developmentally disabled consumers. Services are designed according to each consumer’s individual need and offered in Modesto and Stockton.
• The Ticket to Work Program is a voluntary program offered in Modesto and Stockton that allows Social Security beneficiaries to accept employment with the guarantee of maintaining medical services.
• Aquatic Therapy and Wellness Program is to help patients/clients with disabilities, injuries and/or illnesses to decrease pain and increase activities of daily living.
• “Options” Learning Center is an Adult Day Program serving VMRC consumers, is designed to improve the lives of the developmentally disabled.
• The Outpatient Drug Treatment Program is a State Medi-Cal certified program. In addition to treatment services, SFNC has a Parole/Probation Re-Entry Program and a DUI Program. Two locations are available.
• Service First Transportation Services is comprised of a fleet of three modified vans, all with wheelchair lifts, to accommodate wheelchair-bound passengers.
• SFNC’s Winslow Village Apartments, a 40-unit complex, is an affordable housing tax credit project. It is a designated complex for disabled adults, living independently, with support services.
• SFNC provides support services at Mayfair Apartments, a 43-unit complex, and Madison Arches Apartments, a 23-unit complex.
• SFNC participates in the Neighborhood Stabilization Program, a HUD project. Non-profit agencies purchase foreclosures, rehabilitate and re-sell the homes to income-eligible families.

Spina Bifida Association is a non-profit organization which promotes the prevention of Spina Bifida and enhances the lives of all affected.

This organization provides services such as:

• National Resource Center (information and referral service)
• SB Insights blog
• Legislative updates
• Publications
• Conferences and educational symposiums
• Corporate and affiliate chapters and events
• SB-You educational webinar series for adults
• SB Stories
• Individual and systems advocacy

State Council on Developmental Disabilities North Valley Hills advocates for and protects the rights of children and adults with developmental disabilities. Public information and review of policy and practice of public and private agencies and related matters are handled there. Counties served are Amador, Calaveras, San Joaquin, Stanislaus and Tuolumne. The Regional Advisory Committee (RAC) is made up of people with intellectual/developmental disabilites, family members and community members. SCDD appoints members to this RAC. Application located at scdd.ca.gov.

A developmental disability is defined as either an intellectual disability, epilepsy, cerebral palsy, autism, or a traumatic brain injury that occurred before the age of 18 years.

Workers Compensation Appeals Board provides medical care with rehabilitation and no deductible. While recovering, workers may be paid disability payments which are tax-free. This no-fault insurance is paid by employers and supervised by the State of California.

State Disability Insurance (SDI) is a partial wage-replacement insurance plan for California workers. The SDI program is state-mandated and funded through employee payroll deductions. SDI provides affordable, short-term benefits to eligible workers. Workers covered by SDI are covered by two benefits: Disability Insurance (DI) and Paid Family Leave (PFL).

The eligibility requirements are:

• PFL was established for workers who suffer a loss of wages when they need to take time off from work to care for a seriously ill child, spouse, parent or registered domestic partner, or to bond with a new child
• Workers who suffer a loss of wages when they are unable to work due to a nonwork-related illness or injury
• Pregnancy or childbirth
• May be eligible for DI benefits

Individuals must meet the following requirements:

• Be unable to do your regular or customary work for at least eight consecutive days
• Be employed or actively looking for work at the time you become disabled
• Have lost wages because of your disability or, if unemployed, have been actively looking for work
• Have earned at least $300 from which State Disability Insurance (SDI) deductions were withheld during a previous period
• Be under the care and treatment of a licensed doctor or accredited religious practitioner during the first eight days of your disability. The beginning date of a claim can be adjusted to meet this requirement. Must remain under care and treatment to continue receiving benefits.
• Complete and mail a claim form within 49 days of the date you became disabled or you may lose benefits.
• Doctor must complete the medical certification of your disability. A licensed midwife, nurse-midwife, or nurse practitioner may complete the medical certification for disabilities related to normal pregnancy or childbirth.

If you are under the care of a religious practitioner, request a “Practitioner’s Certificate,” DE 2502, from the SDI office. Certification by a religious practitioner is acceptable only if the practitioner has been accredited by Employment Development Department.

Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA) has the responsibility for ensuring that appropriate programs and services are available for all students identified as students with disabilities under the IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) 2004. To achieve that end, the Special Education Department supports every students rights to an individualized educational program that is reasonably calculated to provide meaningful educational benefit based on the student’s identified needs.

The Department’s mission is to provide the essential supports and experiences that will enable the student to acquire the skills and attitudes necessary to adapt and function in real life situations. SELPA serves children with special needs from birth to age 22 years. Some of these children are severely disabled. Others are physically disabled, have learning problems or display behavioral/emotional needs. Some also need speech, language and hearing therapy.

Walton Special Center offers Preschool, Elementary and High School/Young Adult programs to eligible students with severe disabilities from the ages of 3 to 22.

Walton also provides the Early Intervention Program to infants and toddlers, ages birth to 3, with special needs and their families. A full kitchen and nursing staff is available on-site.

Walton Center offers:

• Trained personnel
• A caring and safe environment
• Program tailored for each student

Support services include:

• Psychological
• Speech and Language
• Aquatics and Physical Therapy
• BCBA

The Arc San Joaquin provides Adult Development Programs and Supported Employment. Adult Development Programs serve persons with significant intellectual and developmental disabilities. Services help participants to become more independent through adult life skills and communication skills training. Site and community group activities provide social, leisure and volunteer opportunities. Behavior management services help individuals become aware of and better cope with challenges they may be experiencing.

The Supported Employment program provides job sampling trials, job development, and job coaching. Job coach support is provided in both group and individual placement. Group placement is used to learn a specific set of duties associated with a job and job coaching is provided throughout the day. Job coaching in Individual Placement is for a shorter period of time until the person no longer needs supports. Job sampling trials allow someone to "try out" a job of choice to see how they like it. Job sampling is an important and requested service for anyone wanting to discover his or her interests, abilities and competencies. All jobs are established with local privately owned businesses, corporations and government entities.

The Arc San Joaquin Vocational Services provides supportive employment services to persons with developmental disabilities.

Vocational Services: works on behalf of persons seeking employment, local employers and families who may be involved in the lives of their family member.

Assistance for job seekers:

• Person-centered and situational assessment
• Job analysis to find the job best suited for job seekers
• Customized employment management plan
• Job preparation assessment and assistance
• Customized employment plan
• Job placement and customized progress follow-up
• Paid job tryout period
• Benefits review assistance
• Customized job coaching
• Job counseling
• Transportation assistance
• Develop a resume building upon your experience, strengths and talent

Assistance and benefits to employers:

• Only qualified persons are presented for employment
• Process is analyzed to offer efficiency training and supervision assistance
• Job tryout period at no cost to the employer
• Tax and other credits that may apply to the location of the business
• Diversity training to enhance corporate culture
• Assistance meeting ADA requirements
• Increase company’s visibility and advertising
• New employee training with adaptations as needed
• Quality assurance follow up with employers
• Online job postings

Hiring from The Arc San Joaquin has distinct advantages:

• No placement fees for their services
• Applicants are prescreened
• Candidates who are dependable, reliable and motivated are identified
• On-site job support and coaching for new employees at no cost to the employer
• Full, part-time and temporary employees available
• Assistance with federal tax and other credits, as allowable

The Brighter Side of Down Syndrome (TBODS)s mission is to enhance the quality of life for people with Down syndrome and their families. Awareness is promoted, as well as an understanding and acceptance of Down syndrome in San Joaquin County through educational, social and support/connection groups.

Services include:

• New Parents Outreach: personal contact is made to extend support to parents with newborn or adopted children who have been given the diagnosis of Down syndrome. A TBODS bag with books, DVDs, and other informative materials given at no cost.
• Buddy Walk: this is their only fundraising event each year. The one-mile walk is hosted that promotes understanding and acceptance of Down syndrome. The day includes a lunch and t-shirt to all who register.
• Informational Lending Library: they are currently in the process of purchasing childrens books, informational books, DVDs, and other pertinent information regarding Down syndrome for parents to borrow.
• Monthly Support/Connection Meetings: One meeting or event each month is hosted for families to attend. Child care is provided, led by an adult with CPR and Standard First Aid certification with assistance by local high school and college-age students. A dinner is provided at most of these meetings along with an informational speaker or panels on topics regarding Down syndrome. Some meetings are theme based, such as Kite Flying Day or Harvest Fest which enables families to enjoy social fun and time for verbal interactions in a non-threatening manner.
• Annual Winter Social and Summer Picnic: each December, TBODS hosts a Winter Holiday Social with a wonderful dinner and pictures with Santa Claus. In the summer, TBODS hosts an Annual Family Picnic at Micke Grove Park in Lodi.

United Cerebral Palsy of San Joaquin, Calaveras and Amador Counties (UCP) is a community-based, private, non-profit organization that offers education, advocacy and direct/support services to individuals with cerebral palsy and other disabilities (birth through end of life). Early Intervention, assistive and adaptive technology services are also provided through their Clinical & Family Services Program.

• Adult Development and Activity Centers
• Supported Employment: provides vocational skill-building activities, job development and placement
• Respite Care Services: provides relief for care provider(s) caring for a loved one or person(s) with disabilities
• Support to Achieve Independent Living (SAIL)
• Program Without Walls: community based integration program
• Early Intervention Services
• Adaptive/Assistive Technology
• Mobility and Tutorial Services

Pacific Speech, Hearing & Language Center provides speech therapy services to adults in the community. Clients work one-on-one with student clinicians in the University of the Pacifics Department of Speech-Language Pathology. Therapy services are provided for fluency, speech, language and voice disorders, as well as cognitive rehabilitation following head trauma or stroke. In addition, aural rehabilitation for individuals with hearing impairment to help maximize communication effectiveness is offered.

The Department of Speech-Language Pathology also staffs the RiteCare Childhood Language Center, serving children from ages 2 to 18 years with speech and/or language disorders. Please call the Childrens clinic for more information on the program.

Valley CAPS provides daytime training and activities to meet the special education and recreational needs of developmentally disabled adults. Special education, recreation, day training and behavior management programs are provided.

Valley Mountain Regional Center provides diagnostic, evaluation, case management and prevention services to children and adults with developmental disabilities to include: autism, intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, epilepsy and other special needs disabilities requiring treatment similar to an intellectual disability.

Tracy Office: 4596 South Tracy Boulevard. Tracy, CA 95377. Phone: (209) 498-5724.