Project Independence

OurPositive Behavior Support Program serves adults with developmental disabilities who are 22 years of age or older and who require a 1:3, 1:2, or 1:1 staff ratio. The program is designed to serve adults who exhibit behaviors which prevent them from successfully functioning within the community, vocational, or recreational settings without close supervision. Upon acceptance to the program, each individual goes through a 30 day assessment period utilizingFunctional Analysis of Behavior Assessment, Learning Modality Assessment, and a Quality of Life Assessment. After collecting and analyzing the data, a Positive Behavior Support plan is developed to break existing patterns of behavior and to teach new behaviors so that he or she can realize their potential within the community.

Our Independent Living program helps clients live on their own in apartments and other properties throughout Orange County. With help from staff, clients learn how to budget, plan meals, grocery shop, cook, handle housekeeping tasks and do laundry. Project Independence staff helps ensure that our clients’ needs are met while encouraging and fostering independence and choice.  Supported Living Services are available, as needed, on a limited basis for people who require more intensive support.

Since the inception of Supported Employment in 1986, society has made tremendous progress toward the realization that people with disabilities have a wide array of abilities which bring value to employers and to the community. While it was once unheard of to expect that a person with a developmental disability had the skills necessary to compete in the work force, today people are realizing their potential to work in jobs as varied as the overall job market.
 
The Project Independence Supported Employment program is based on the idea that, in creating a successful job match, a person with a developmental disability can do the job he or she was hired to do. Our job is to provide whatever the person needs to be successful, from extra training, establishing priorities and creating task schedules, to educating employees at the job site and building natural supports.

What Is WIPA?Work Incentive Planning and Assistance is a grant awarded by The Social Security Administration to local organizations to provide work incentive planning services for beneficiaries in cash payment status for Supplemental Security Income (SSI),Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), or Social Security Childhood Disability Benefits (SSCDB), previously called Disabled Adult Child (SSDAC).Who Is Eligible to Receive Services?Anyone who is currently receiving cash payments under one or more of thefollowing programs: Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Social Security Childhood Disability Benefits (SSCDB) – also known as Social Security Disabled Adult Child (SSDAC) AND is either: Working, Looking for work, or Thinking about looking for work.