What is Independent Living Services?

Independent Living Services (ILS) is a program funded by the California Regional Center system that provides functional skills training to adults with developmental disabilities. The goal is to help individuals acquire, maintain, or improve the skills necessary to achieve greater independence while living with family. Per the California Regional Center system, the maximum amount of service hours available to ILS recipients is 20 hours per week, 86 hours per month.

Key Characteristics:

- Skill-Building Focus: ILS instructors work with individuals to teach practical life skills, not to provide long-term care .

- Flexible Settings: Services can be provided in the individual's own apartment, a family home, or a licensed facility .

- Time-Variable: Services continue for as long as the individual needs them and can demonstrate benefit—regional centers cannot impose arbitrary time limits .

- Person-Centered: Training plans are based on the individual's unique goals, needs, and preferences as documented in their Individual Program Plan (IPP) .

What Services Are Provided?

ILS programs offer training in a wide range of daily living skills, which may include :

- Home Management: Cleaning, organizing, laundry, and basic household maintenance.

- Money Management: Budgeting, paying bills, understanding banking, and managing personal finances.

- Meal Planning and Preparation: Grocery shopping, cooking nutritious meals, and kitchen safety.

- Health and Safety: Medication management, recognizing health issues, emergency preparedness, and personal hygiene.

- Transportation: Learning to use public transit safely to run errands or attend appointments.

- Advocacy: Developing skills to communicate needs, exercise rights, and navigate community resources.

- Community Integration: Building social connections and participating in recreational or leisure activities.

The Goal of ILS
The ultimate goal of Independent Living Services is to equip individuals with the confidence and competence to manage their own lives, make informed choices, and participate fully in their communities—whether they live on their own or with family