Community Housing Options Integrated Community Employment & Social Services

“Reviewed and approved by the executive committee of the board of directors”

“Monitored and reviewed annually by the board of directors”

“Reviewed and approved by the executive committee of the board of directors”

“Reviewed and approved by the executive committee of the board of directors”

“Policies & procedures, information returns and financial statments will be made available within 10 days of receiving a written request for information at the primary location in arcadia, ca”

“Client Note 1 - FORM 990,PART III, LINE ASTATEMENT ACommunity Housing Options: Integrated Community, Employment and Social Services, Inc.("CHOICESS" or the "Organization") was founded in 1988 through a San Gabriel/Pomona Regional Center Program Development Fund Grant. The grant allowed CHOICESS to provide individualized, long-term support services to enable developmentally disabled individuals to live in homes of their choices, work in profitable jobs, develop friendships and participate in community activities. CHOICESS was the first Supported Living Services agency in the state of California funded by a regional center. CHOICESS provides services in Pasadena, Arcadia and Whittier in Los Angeles County, and Upland in San Bernardino County. It works regularly with three regional centers: San Gabriel/Pomona, Eastern Los Angeles, and Lanterman, and over the years has worked with a number of other regional centers. CHOICESS currently supports 47 people with a wide range of developmental disabilities, many of whom also have additional challenges in their lives including mental illness and/or health issues.CHOICESS is committed to a philosophy of self-determination. The Organization encourages individuals to express their own preferences to reach their own goals. Support services include job placement and training, independent living skills (e.g., banking and shopping), access to community resources (e.g., community colleges and recreational centers), transportation and counseling. Supported Living Services are provided in the morning, afternoon, evening and on weekends. The services provided for each individual are determined by a detailed needs assessment conducted by CHOICESS staff, in conjunction with the regional center service coordinators.In all cases, individuals are involved in setting their own objectives and expected outcomes during the assessment/evaluation stage, and continue to be involved throughout their time in the program. As each individual's situation is unique, outcomes differ from person to person. Once measurable objectives are set, progress toward their attainment is monitored through a reporting process. In general, outcomes for individuals choosing to live outside congregate settings result in improving their quality of life through community participation and involvement, the formation of relationships and friendships and the enjoyable use of leisure time. CHOICESS operates with a "zero reject" policy and provides services to anyone as long as funding is available. Support ranges from a few hours a month to 24 hours a day, depending on the individual's needs and desires. Individuals supported by CHOICESS are able to live in a variety of settings (house, apartment, mobile home or condominium), living arrangements (with one or more roommates or attendants, a child, a parent, a spouse or significant other) and lifestyles (being a full-time parent, caring for an elderly/ill parent, attending college, working in or out of home). Prior to receiving support services from CHOICESS, most of the individuals lived with their parents or in institutions and group homes.Since CHOICESS provides a wide range of services, it actively recruits staff with expertise in many areas including positive behavioral support, alternative communication strategies, supported employment, personal futures planning, instructional and community resource development and other areas as dictated by the needs of its clientele. By utilizing staff with a variety of backgrounds, and a commitment to ongoing training, CHOICESS is able to offer a wide range of quality support services.”