Our son Ian has been living in one of the homes which is run by California Community Opportunities ( CCO) for 10 years.  Ian is 40 years old and was born with Down Syndrome.

There are many reasons why Ian and our family love CCO.  The Family Teaching Model ( FTM) that CCO uses provides clients a level of independence that many have never had before.  Being independent, making choices for themselves and realizing that each person is capable of achieving more than they may have ever thought possible is what CCO is all about.  The individuals at CCO are treated with dignity and respect, something we all as typical individuals may take for granted, but is not often the case with those with different abilities.   CCO gives every individual the tools and encouragement to succeed in having a life that so many take for granted.

The home is their home, the people that live in the home are their “family “, and the individuals are taught how to provide whatever is needed to sustain that home.  This includes chores, shopping, cooking, outings and celebrations.

Our son Ian has grown in enormous ways.  He has had so many successful experiences at CCO due to the efforts of an amazing staff and admin team.  His life at CCO is based on his individual needs, which are always being evaluated and taken into consideration, his likes & dislikes, and his dreams for the future are ways considered.

Our entire family is at ease knowing that Ian is happy and not just being “cared for”.  Instead, he is being given opportunities to allow him to feel like, and be a contributing member of his home and community.

The Family Teaching Model and CCO is  a program we wish all individuals could experience.  Ian’s life, and our life is forever changed because of it.

My 26-year-old adult daughter has severe autism and is non-verbal.

CCO has been a huge success for our family. It supports our entire family, including her siblings and extended family. We all have peace of mind that Madison is doing well in her life.
We see Madison is happy, healthy, and constantly learning in her teaching family home, out in the community and in a safe and comfortable building with classes she enjoys.

In all aspects of Madison’s life, she is loved by the family and children she lives with and gets to live independently the best way she can.

As a mother who volunteers tirelessly as an advocate for children with mental illness in Santa Clara County, I have seen other programs and talked to many parents. CCO by far is the most unique program at supporting adults with disabilities. The joy of the clients, teachers and families makes a wonderful umbrella to support all of my daughters' many needs.

I'm so proud of the changes I have seen in her mood and skill sets over the last 3 years.

My daughter lives as I have always dreamed "With Dignity."

With kindness,

Our son, Trevor, is a 35 year old , mostly non-verbal, young man with autism. When Trevor was 19 and transitioning to an adult home, our family was fortunate to be referred to California Community Opportunities(CCO). Trevor had been living in a group home setting from age 12. The difference was immediately clear to our family. I would like to highlight some of the main differences and the benefits for Trevor.

CCO is a teaching home living situation vs a care model. Trevor lives with a family and is fully incorporated into the life of his family.

The benefits to Trevor are multi-dimensional.

• He is cared for by ‘family’ vs a number of shift workers, which affords him trusted relationships that have helped him to continue to grow and thrive.

• His IPP goals are consistently supervised by the Family Teachers. He has been able to progressively learn skills and independence with this consistency.

• Besides Trevor’s personal IPP goals, CCO continually teaches all their clients 10 additional skills and outcomes. These skills that foster independence and quality of life. CCO’s day program is incorporated into the program design. This additional support structure ensures continuity.

• The family teachers are aware of Trevor’s needs and learning style and foster his growth.

• Trevor’s day program is fully tailored to his preferences, learning capabilities and abilities.

• Consistency in all areas; home and daytime.

• Besides the weekly day program, Trevor’s household continues his learning opportunities at home with an enriching program: cooking, field trips, shopping, and volunteer opportunities. (Trevor participates in meal delivery).

I would like to  conclude with two examples that highlight the gratitude our family feels for CCO.

During the pandemic shutdown, when all day programs ceased; CCO’s administrative team designed a full and enriching weekly program of classes and activities that were delivered to every one of their homes. Trevor continued to learn and grow during a very difficult period of time.

Two years ago, Trevor was hospitalized for 17 days. Trevor’s family teachers were prompt to recognize his increasing illness and pursue his treatment prior to hospitalization. They worked with us as full partners in his health. But most incredibly to my husband and myself is the love and concern his Family Teachers exhibited during this frightening time. Every day, for 17 days, one of his CCO ‘parents’ spent 12 hours a day in the hospital with him. Trevor had the comfort of knowing that he was with ‘family’ the entire time. In Trevor’s own words, “We do take care of you”.

Our family has navigated Trevor’s journey with autism since he was a young child. I never thought we would be able to say this, but we feel so grateful and fortunate that Trevor is in good, loving hands living with his Family Teachers at CCO. We are no longer worried about his future.

My name is Vince and I am the father of Scott.  Scott is a forty seven year old man who is Autistic.  Scott has been a client of CCO since May of 2022.  Prior to that Scott lived with his mother and participated in the day program offered by Hope. While at Hope Scott struggled.  There was far too many inconsistencies which often led to behavioral issues.  Many times,  Scott  would not want to go to the program that day.  When he did go, he was very uncomfortable with the many changes in both curriculum as well as personnel.  In the past, almost 4 years, Scott has never been happier.  Never once has he ever said he did not want to be there for any reason. At Hope Scott found it difficult to adapt and his personal growth reflected that. CCO provides him with a fantastic, loving and caring environment.  The consistency of each and every day is  so well organized and more importantly executed.  He has a calendar that spells out each and every hour of the day.  And that calendar is very closely followed.  To add to that, the number of weekly activities is superb.   Every day there are both educational and social activities.  They are constantly going to museums in the Bay Area. Trips to S.F., Santa Cruz or Half Moon Bay are very common.  Once per week a large group of them meet up for coffee at Starbucks.  Each week they have a “dine out” where he and his two roommates get together and decide where to go.  Bowling, movies and video arcades are also quite common.  On the educational side they have quite a learning model with structured classes on specific days.  Once per week Scott is taken to the bank, withdraws some cash and then is coached on how he might budget and spend it over the next week.

Personal growth has been incredible these past few years.  Much more than that of the previous 20 years.  I credit that growth to the family model and the fantastic staff at CCO.  It would be a tragedy for this model to be interrupted in any manner.

Sincerely

My 28yo son Thomas, who has autism, has lived at CCO for 2-1/2 years and is flourishing beyond my wildest dreams.

For an autistic adult, living with family should provide the nurturance and stability of long-term loving relationships. Living in a group home should provide access to more professional staff than families can accommodate, together with well-researched best practices around everything from behavior to nutrition to social interaction.

CCO’s unique Family Teaching Model offers the best of both worlds. Thomas lives in his own private room in a duplex home, with a wonderful Family Teaching Couple under the same roof, and one or two peers of comparable dis/ability, on his side of the duplex. They know him, and he knows them, very well indeed; he is happier in CCO’s care than he was living at home for the prior quarter-century. At the same time, CCO has a nurse and a behaviorist and many more professionals on staff, around the clock, which families don’t. Thomas is learning complex and priceless life skills including weight management, budgeting, and navigating public spaces appropriately, among many others. These more subtle but more crucial life skills simply cannot be taught solely in school or in nonresidential day programs. CCO’s 24x7x365 model meets ALL of Thomas’ needs, including the development of longstanding ties to his housemates, his CCO peers, and his community. CCO prioritizes health and safety first, while emphatically championing each individual’s own interests, and gently expanding their horizons through an outstanding day program and frequent supervised excursions and activities. At the same time, Thomas has lots of access to his own family, every evening via FaceTime, every week via in-person visits, and as requested for family events or travel. He is beyond fortunate, and I would wish such a placement for every autistic adult who can benefit.

The CCO Admin team understands that we work for the individuals. They are supportive and make me feel relaxed and not afraid to come to them for assistance. I call Nina and Farah once in a while because everyone is nice at CCO and I want to appreciate them. My experience working for CCO has been great. I have learned a lot about how to care for the individuals. We care for them and take responsibility without mistreating them and help them to achieve their independence as well as exercise their rights. CCO is unique. Everyone supports you because they care for us (teachers/staff) and our individuals. The CCO Admin team is very approachable. When I come to say hello and talk, we always laugh together and share. It is not always easy to work with the disability community, it is hard but at CCO I am supported. The CCO Admin team hears me and listens to me. Afterwards, the CCO team always reaches out to me and helps me resolve some situations that I need help with by meeting with me and having treatment team meetings if we need to.

When my individual came to live in my house after leaving Agnews he was not able to communicate. He would not make eye contact. He refused many different foods and refused to eat. His diet was supplemented with Ensure because he kept losing weight. I have known my individual for a very long time. I worked with him at Agnews so I have a long history with him. Now he is able to communicate, he talks A LOT. He makes eye contact and has maintained a stable weight for many years now without drinking Ensure. His diet is healthy and he eats what he wants. He has become more independent, taking responsibility and ownership in his home. He works in the garden in the backyard every week. He is having the best time of his life since moving out of Agnews. I enjoy working with him. Both of the men are a part of my family. I can breathe because I can provide for my guys and my family at CCO. I don't have anything to regret from my guys moving into my home.

We started working at CCO in 2016 as Family Teachers for FTM Home model with three gentlemen in the home.  The model is so unique and different from the Group Home we worked for a decade and gave us more opportunity to become a family to the gentlemen we served and not just working for them, but rather living with them and becoming their family.

Then, we moved to an EFT home and been here for 9 years now as an Extended Family Teachers. We really love the model and we strongly feel that the ladies we serve not only fit in our family but vice versa.  Knowing that the whole family enjoys everyone.  We feel so fortunate that we are part of CCO and we take pride in supporting the ladies and making sure that they live comfortably, meaningful, and purposeful life. Every improvement or independence they show, seeing and hearing their parents happy and grateful with the care we provide is always a win for us.  We work with CCO Admin hand-in-hand continuously in making such a big impact in their lives and we are so grateful.

The Family Teaching Model provides a great opportunity for people with developmental disabilities to live a full and purposeful life within a family oriented environment.  As a family teaching couple working for CCO for the past 2 1/2 years, we have seen the value of this model enhance the lives of the individuals we serve through authentic teaching and customized learning opportunities for each individual.  For the most part, the family model has enabled us to interact with individuals through a family style approach and building those positive relationships daily at a personal level has been an enlightening experience.  The individuals we serve have become part of our family which means we plan together, laugh together and get through challenging times together.  It's rewarding to see the positive growth in their home environment and feeling connected knowing you mean a lot to someone and are making a difference in their lives.  Life is more purposeful with family and that's exactly what this model is all about. Thank you CCO!