My Nonprofit Reviews
Carol C
Review for Harbor Devlopmental Disabilities Foundation, Torrance, CA, USA
After the Court found that the doctor's had provided undisputed and overwhelming evidence of eligibility over objections by the Regional Center, the Regional Center finally provided services. The Case Manager Sara was exceptional and worked very hard to provide services and answer questions. Since my last report, the Harbor Regional Center has been professional and helpful . The services provided to my niece are life-changing, giving her some independents and security as a developmentally disabled adult. Guardians of the disabled should be aware that on-going supervision is important to assure services are adequate. I have been treated professionally and with respect.
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I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
The Regional Center works as a center to gather information and services by private and governmental vendors. Their client is evaluated for services such as Independent Living Skills, Supportive Living Services, public transportation training, and vendors are located and provided to the client to assist the client with living as independently as possible. THey do not financially support the client, so individuals who have very limited resources are still limited by their financial resources.
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
work to minimize the salaries of the management, and use the funds for the clients. The management is highly compensated, and in these times with STate and Federal funding cuts, the management should share in the cuts to salaries and benefits because the clients are mostly living at the poverty level.
How would you describe the help you got from this organization?
Life-changing
How likely are you to recommend this organization to a friend?
Definitely
How do you feel you were treated by this organization?
Quite well
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
How did you find this group?
Professional referral. Also Protection and Advocacy, a state funded legal services organization for developmentally disabled.
What, if any, change in your life has this group encouraged?
WHat time I do not spend helping my niece is not my time.
Review for Harbor Devlopmental Disabilities Foundation, Torrance, CA, USA
As an attorney who has sought benefits for a client with a developmental disability under the "fifth category" of Welfare and Institutions Code 4512 (Lanterman Act), I discovered that the Executive Director, although a member of ARCA (Association of Regional Center Agencies and a "highly compensated" employee) has failed adopted policies and guidelines incorporating ARCA policies for interpreting the Welfare and Institutions Code and Regulations, resulting in the published judicial decision, Samantha C, (2010) 185 Cal.App.4th 1462, reversing the decision of the eligibility committee. Before applying to this organization, individuals with disabilities should review this case to assure that they are not denied benefits inappropriately.
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I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
the denial of benefits where the court of appeal found the evidence was overwhelming and undisputed that the claimant had a developmental disability.
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Require the Board of Trustees to supervise the Executive Director and instruct her to follow the guidelines of the trade organization ARCA that was created to represent the 21 State Regional Centers.
How does this organization compare with others in the same sector?
Badly
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
Life-changing
Will you recommend this organization to others?
No
What is unique about this organization?
It is charged by the State of California to evaluate disabled individuals and grant them supportive living services so that they can main-stream into the general public, including living and vocational support. Individuals with disabilities cannot afford to be denied services and employ an attorney to litigate their claim where it is wrongfully denied. The organization has a State mandate to apply the law accurately and when the staff is unsupervised and undirected in this regard, the disabled community is harmed.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
