Admissions
information
Our
History
The
roots of the Cerebral Palsy Center go back to 1939 when few services were
available for children with cerebral palsy. A small group of parents founded the
Spastic Children's Society of Alameda County to provide specialized services to
children with disabilities, to educate families and to heighten public awareness
about developmental disabilities. The Society became the United Cerebral Palsy
Association of Alameda County in 1949 when it joined the national organization
for cerebral palsy.
The
agency was renamed the Cerebral Palsy Center for the Bay Area, Inc. in 1969 when
it withdrew from the United Cerebral Palsy Association to provide more say in
matters of fund raising, resources and services.
Today
the Center offers a wide-range of services and programs to adults with
developmental and severe physical disabilities through our Adult Development
Center, Community Integration Program and Work Activity Program. The Center's
activities concentrate on six skill areas: self-advocacy, vocational training,
community integration, augmentative communication, independent living skills and
recreation.
Our
Program
The
Center utilizes a person centered program model that emphasizes participant self
determination and individual choice. As
an organization we have adopted a philosophy of continuous improvement in an
environment where staff and participants are seen as equals. We are the only
program in our area to have a Work Activity Program and an Adult Development
Program under one roof. This allows
us the flexibility to provide participants a blended program week.
The program areas of the model are discussed below.
Communication—Over
half the people we serve have little to no functional speech, our Speech and
Language Pathologist and staff provide classes and support for augmentative and
alternative communicators.
Health—
The Center has a Pain Management and Wellness Project to support consumers with
disabilities in taking charge of their physical health and mental well-being. It
incorporates adaptive yoga, acupressure, and training in basic relaxation
techniques. Participants learn and
experience how yoga can enhance flexibility and utilize breathing techniques for
pain control and relaxation. Yoga enables participants to become more aware of
their bodies and gives them tools to deal with their physical and emotional
stress.
Basic
Education—The Center has a state-of–the-art
Computer Learning Lab fitted with assistive technology that aids computer access
and learning. Classes include
literacy development, standard software programs, Internet access, distance
learning and independent living skills.
Personal Care
Support—Participants
develop communication skills to express their needs. Also, they learn strategies on how to manage the personal
care provided them by others.
Employment—The
Work Activity Program provides direct mailing and order fulfillment services to
paying customers in the community.
Community
Integration—Community Integration Towards
Independence (CITI) is our program in downtown Oakland where participants
develop independent living skills by utilizing community resources, such as, the
library, the post office, public transportation and making purchases from local
merchants.
Transition Program—High school students attend the Center up to three days a week to gain computer, communication and community access skills.
Enrollment is based on an admissions process whose intent it is to ensure a successful experience for those who attend.
Participants in our programs have a high level of achievement due to our curriculum, assistive technology and the commitment of our experienced staff. Participants who have all of the following abilities do best in our programs:
Due to funding constraints and staffing ratios the Center selects applicants who have all of these abilities to be considered for admission.
Additional criteria is required by the California Department of Rehabilitation for individuals to be considered for admissions into a Work Activity Program:
Additionally,
applicants who are selected for a 90-day trial program must successfully
demonstrate prescribed work activity skills to be approved by California
Department of Rehabilitation for admission.
Our Committee on Admissions is comprised of the Assistant Executive Director, the Adult Development/Work Activity Program Supervisor, and two Program Counselors. The committee carefully reviews applications and other submitted material. Center staff recommends and selects those applicants considered most capable of excelling in our program.
All applications are reviewed and applicants selected on a first come first serve basis. These selections are based on our program capacity at the time of review and could result in applicants being on a waiting list. If applicants are placed on a waiting list they are notified that they will given an opportunity to attend when program capacity allows. The priority for selecting applicants on the waiting list also on a first come first serve basis.
Typically the steps in admissions process are:
· Review of all submitted materials
· A face to face visit at the Center with the prospective participant and our staff
· A recommendation is made to either admit the participant on a 30-day* evaluation period or a recommendation to other service agencies is offered for their consideration
· A 30-day trial program is presented to the participant and his/her inter-disciplinary team for approval. Once approved, the first day of this period is set.
· The participants’ performance in the 30-day trial program is evaluated on its conclusion.
· Based on the evaluation results either an adapted curriculum is established for the participant or a recommendation for other service agencies is offered for their consideration
The first day of program attendance is scheduled after receipt of all required paperwork including full approval for admission for those whose day rate will be paid by either the Regional Center for the East Bay, the Department of Rehabilitation or their School district. Arrangements for private pay agreements are made by appointment and are approved on an individual basis.
*The 30-day evaluation is meant to define a time frame that encompasses 30 calendars days regardless of frequency of attendance. For example a 30-day evaluation period would be considered completed if a participant attends 3 days a week from May 1st to May 31st.
All Instructors are college educated and have received comprehensive training on augmentative and alternative communication devices and assistive technology.
Revised
3/03