Community Homes & Services

The Center for Independence of the Disabled, also known as CID, is a privately owned, nonprofit corporation that offers independent living programs. Incorporated in 1979, it helps more than 2,000 people with disabilities in direct and indirect services. It also serves over 3,400 disabled people with individual and systems advocacy issues. The Center for Independence of the Disabled provides peer counseling and consulting services and independent living skills, work incentive and assistive technology programs. It is a member of the California Foundation of Independent Living Centers and the National Council of Independent Living. The corporation is affiliated with other nonprofit agencies through its membership in the California Association of Nonprofits. Its staff, management and board of directors consist of people with significant disabilities. The Center for Independence of the Disabled is located in San Mateo, Calif.

Community Homes and Services (CHAS) is a nonprofit organization based in Novato, California, dedicated to enhancing the well-being of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, as well as those with behavioral or complex needs. CHAS also serves as a training and consultation resource for schools, service agencies, care homes, and families. Offering two specialized day programs, the CHS Enterprise Day Program and the CHS Life College, the organization emphasizes a positive behavioral approach to skill development and self-esteem building within a structured environment. Both campuses provide personalized support, vocational education, and opportunities for meaningful community participation, fostering a safe and respectful atmosphere for all participants. Generated from the website

Founded in 1972, Ala Costa Center offers after school learning programs for students with developmental disabilities. The center provides a wide range of activities, including community integration, specialty classes, sign language, music, dance and creative activities. Students are given a selection of different activities to experience, which develops their personal preferences and ability to learn. Headquartered in Berkeley, Calif., it enrolls students between the ages of 5- to 22-years and are grouped based on age and skill level. Its classrooms include the explorers, adventurers, voyagers, navigators and the apartment. The curriculum is designed to help students develop skills in independent living, mobility, fine arts, expressive and receptive language, functional academics, social interaction and vocational readiness. Ala Costa Center has a large playing field that offers many recreational opportunities, such as soccer, basketball and tennis, along with play areas for both preschoolers and school-aged children.