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(7.3) What kinds of regional center services can help me live independently in a home I own or rent?

(7.3) What kinds of regional center services can help me live independently in a home I own or rent?

The primary services regional centers give people to live independently are “independent living skills” training and “supported living services.”

Independent Living Skills

Independent living skills (called ILS for short) are the skills you need to live independently in your community. ILS programs can teach these skills, like cooking, housecleaning, personal care, and money management.[1]Title 17 Cal. Code Regs. section 54302(a)(35). The regional center must provide ILS if it is in your IPP. ILS instructors help you get or keep skills to live independently in your own home, or to be more independent while living somewhere else.[2]Section 4688.05. You may already have basic self-help skills but still need ILS in certain areas to remain independent. For example, you may need help paying your bills or planning your meals.

You can get ILS in your parents’ home, a relative’s home, a licensed facility, or your own apartment. You should get ILS until you learn the skills you need to live on your own. You can also use ILS to hire and supervise someone to help you with self-care or activities you cannot do yourself, that are not provided by other agencies.

Some regional centers say you can only get ILS for a certain amount of time. The law says you have the right to get ILS for as long as you need and can show you a benefit.[3]In Williams v. Macomber, 226 Cal. App. 3d 225 (1990), the court found that “the Regional Center‘s reliance on a fixed policy is inconsistent with the Act‘s stated purpose of providing services … Continue reading You may need to have an assessment of your skill levels to prove you need these services.

Supported Living Services

Supported living services (called SLS for short) support people with developmental disabilities so they can live in their own home or apartment. SLS is not for people who want to live with their parents or conservators.[4]Title 17 Cal. Code Regs. section 58613(a)(2)(B). But, you may be able to get SLS if your parent lives with you.

You should not be denied supported living solely because of the degree or kind of disability you have. You should receive the supportive services you need as often and for however long you need them so you can:

  • Live in a house or apartment you own or rent,
  • Make choices and build relationships in the community, and
  • Live like people without disabilities, as much as possible.[5]Section 4689.

Your services depend on your needs and preferences. Each SLS plan is different. SLS can be any services you need to live on your own. For example, you can use SLS to help you:

  • Develop a “circle of support”;[6]“Circle of Support” means an informal but identifiable and reliable group of people who meet and communicate as often as necessary to offer support to the consumer for whose benefit the circle … Continue reading
  • Get training and support in social, behavioral, and daily living skills,
  • Choose, hire, and train people to help you with personal care
  • Learn new skills,
  • Be involved in leisure, recreational, spiritual, or other activities in your local community,
  • Manage, direct, and fire a personal attendant,
  • Get medical care and other supports you need to be integrated in your community, and
  • Develop employment goals.[7]Section 4689(c).

The SLS you get may change as your needs change.

References
1 Title 17 Cal. Code Regs. section 54302(a)(35).
2 Section 4688.05.
3 In Williams v. Macomber, 226 Cal. App. 3d 225 (1990), the court found that “the Regional Center‘s reliance on a fixed policy is inconsistent with the Act‘s stated purpose of providing services sufficiently complete to meet the needs of each person with developmental disabilities‘ (Section 4501).” Therefore, regional center policies that place strict time limits on ILS services ignoring your individual needs are contrary to the Lanterman Act.
4 Title 17 Cal. Code Regs. section 58613(a)(2)(B).
5 Section 4689.
6 “Circle of Support” means an informal but identifiable and reliable group of people who meet and communicate as often as necessary to offer support to the consumer for whose benefit the circle exists. Title 17 Cal. Code Regs. section 58601(a)(1).
7 Section 4689(c).