Font Size
Translate
| Guiding Principles |
 |
|
Regional Center of Orange County’s Board of Directors has adopted a set of Guiding Principles that describe the Board’s policies in nine key areas. The Guiding Principles also spell-out the Board’s expectations for its members and for regional center staff as they work to meet the needs of people with developmental disabilities and their families in Orange County.
To live in the community is the preference of most individuals with developmental disabilities. However, inherent in this choice are risks. While affirming the dignity gained by the taking of risks, and the valuable learning provided by those opportunities, the Center is committed to the following: Consumers are in safe settings. Consumers and their families have knowledge of their healthcare needs, access to qualified medical communities, and support necessary to utilize recommended health services. Consumers and their families have knowledge of, access to and opportunity for participation in any community activities and resources of their choosing. Consumers are involved in all decisions that affect their lives. Consumers have the opportunity and choice to have relationships, get married and have a family. Consumers live, work, learn and recreate in settings which maximize opportunity to be with persons not paid to be with them. Consumers lead the planning and implementation of the service system. Families are the decision makers for their minor children and, when appropriate, for their adult children. Family support services are flexible and innovative in meeting needs as they evolve over time, are tailored to the preferences of the individual family, and are consistent with their cultural norms and customs. Services and supports for families recognize, facilitate and build on family strengths, natural supports and existing community resources. Family members of adults are supported when their ongoing involvement is preferred by the consumer.
Prevention and early intervention services, supports and public awareness activities are designed to prevent the onset of a disability, or to minimize the impact of the disability. Consumers are provided the services and supports in a family-focused and collaborative fashion. Families are the primary decision makers. Consumers have choices on where and with whom they live. Services and supports are provided so that consumers have choices on where and with whom they live, including owning or renting their own homes. Practices are driven in the system by culturally preferred choices. Families are supported in keeping their children, both minors and those adults who choose to remain at home, as a priority for the allocation of limited regional center resources. Consumers live in homes where they receive love and nurturing and where they can form relationships. Families with children in out-of-home care receive the support necessary to remain involved in their children's lives. Consumers have the opportunity to be educated with their non-disabled peers in classrooms at their neighborhood schools. The Regional Center will serve as an advocate for obtaining appropriate opportunities for consumers in the school systems. Adult consumers have lifelong learning opportunities to enhance and ensure full participation in community life. Consumers have the opportunity and support to work in employment settings that are meaningful to them, that are valued by the community, and in which they are appropriately compensated. Leisure skills and opportunities are important life planning areas in the development of the person-centered plan. Leisure skills development will reflect consumer choice.
Service Coordinators are caring and are knowledgeable and competent in service planning, coordination and resources.
The Regional Center will maximize all alternative sources of funding for necessary services and supports including federal and generic funding.
|