What is Supported Living?
Supported Living Services (SLS) is a voluntary, person-centered program funded and overseen by the California Regional Center system. It is designed for adults with developmental disabilities who choose to live in their own home or apartment—rather than in a licensed care facility, group home, or with their family—and need ongoing support to live independently and safely in the community.

The primary philosophy of SLS is that all individuals, regardless of the severity of their disability, have the right to choose where and with whom they live. The services are tailored to the unique needs of the individual and are based on their personal goals, preferences, and desired outcomes.

Key Characteristics of SLS:

• Own Home: The individual holds the lease or owns the home. It is their private residence, not a program site.

• Individualized: Services are not "one-size-fits-all." The type, location, and schedule of support are based on what the individual needs and wants.

• Flexible: Support can fluctuate; an individual may need 10 hours one week and 20 the next, depending on their changing needs and goals.
  Community Integration: The goal is to support the individual to be an active, participating member of their community.

What Services Are Provided?
Supported Living Services are intended to provide the necessary training and assistance to help an individual successfully maintain their own home. Services are typically provided by a supported living agency (vendored by the regional center) and may include:

• Life Skills Training: Teaching and assisting with cooking, meal planning, grocery shopping, housekeeping, laundry, and budgeting/paying bills.

• Community Integration: Assistance with accessing community resources, using public transportation, joining recreational activities, building social networks, and volunteering.

• Health and Safety: Training on medication management, recognizing health issues, navigating healthcare appointments, and developing emergency procedures.

• Behavioral Support: Implementing strategies to help the individual manage challenges and develop positive coping mechanisms.

• 24-Hour Emergency Response: Providing a system (such as an on-call line or in-person staff) to respond to emergencies or urgent needs.

• Personal Care: Assistance with hygiene, bathing, dressing, and grooming as needed.

• Advocacy: Supporting the individual to communicate their needs and exercise their rights as a tenant, consumer, and citizen.

The Goal of SLS
The ultimate goal of Supported Living Services is to ensure that individuals with developmental disabilities have the opportunity to experience the dignity, freedom, and responsibility that comes with having a home of their own. It shifts the focus from placing individuals in programs to providing them with the tools and support they need to build a meaningful life in the community of their choice.