Contra Costa Arc

Programs: A family resource center, care parent network, provides information, referral, advocacy and peer support for families of children with special needs. After-school programs provide specialized after-school experiences for children from 11 to 22 years of age who attend special education classes during the school day. The service is provided not only for the enrichment of the children but also to meet the day-care needs of their working parents. Intensive early intervention services are provided to infants and toddlers from birth through age 3 with developmental delays or developmental disabilities. A significant portion of the services are provided to children who are at risk for a diagnosis of autism. Early children's mental health services are provided to children age 3 through 5 who have significant behavioral problems caused by abuse, neglect, prenatal exposure to drugs or other challenging environmental factors.

community access services are provided to adults with severe and multiple developmental disabilities. An array of service levels is available so that individuals with widely ranging levels of ability and challenges are supported to actively participate in their communities. Services range from in-home activities for individuals who have enduring medical conditions and very limited mobility, to 100% community based services including active volunteerism and part-time paid work in accordance with each person's interests and abilities.

employment services are provided to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities whose primary interest is part-time or full-time employment. The goal of the services is to achieve independence and self-sufficiency. Every adult with a developmental disability, who wants to work, can work, when provided the necessary level of support. Contra costa arc provides 3 types of employment services: production centers for individuals who need or prefer a more structured work environment, community supported employment in local business or industrial settings, in groups of 3 to 8 individuals, with full-time supervision, and individual community employment in which the individual receives intensive training and support initially which gradually diminishes as the person proficient in the job and can work independently.