Center for Adaptive Learning


Location: Concord, CA
Program Type: Post-Secondary; Long-term Residential Program; Living in Supervised Apartment Complexes
Established: 1988
Age Range: 20 and older
Specialties: A life-span program providing services in six areas: independent living skills training, individual counseling and educational groups, job development with placement and follow-up support, extensive art therapy, computer training/instruction, and a health and fitness program.
Website: http://www.centerforadaptivelearning.org/
Phone: 925-827-3863

CENTER FOR ADAPTIVE LEARNING
A Key to individual Potential

Location: 3227 Clayton Road, Concord, CA (Northern California, San Francisco/Bay Area).

The Center is located near Mt. Diablo State Park in the city of Concord, California. It is close to public transportation and a few blocks from the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART). It is an easy car or BART train ride from San Francisco through the beautiful Oakland/ Berkeley Hills.

Administrative Offices Hours: Mon-Fri 9:00 am-5:00 pm
Day & Evening Program Hours: Mon-Fri 9:00 am-9:00pm
Night Staff Hours: Sun-Thur 9:00 pm-9:00 am
Curfew at 10pm
Weekend and Holidays: emergency staff on call 24/7

The Center for Adaptive Learning (CAL) celebrated its twentieth anniversary in October 2008. CAL is a comprehensive, residential program serving more than 4o adults with neurodevelopmental disabilities referred to more recently as autism spectrum disabilities. The clients have diagnoses such as Asperger’s Syndrome, High Functioning Autism, Nonverbal Learning Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and Pervasive Developmental Disorder-NOS.

Our focus is on supporting and encouraging the adult to develop to their full potential not on fixing their disabilities. The Center provides a continuum of services from intensive support to “as needed” support. While we encourage the adults we work with to acknowledge their challenges, we concentrate on developing their strengths and talents. At the Center we emphasize the positive and help adults build on their assets. Far too often, individuals with learning disabilities are so focused on their limitations and challenges that they do not thoroughly explore their positive attributes.

THE CORE PROGRAM:

Center has demonstrated for 20 years long term success with its clients by focusing on continuous education related to the four critical, inter-connected elements of life to achieve and sustain self-reliance:

• Health: nutrition, meal planning, grocery shopping, personal hygiene, personal space/home care, exercise, medical advocacy and medication management.
• Emotional: Individual and group counseling, relationship management (peers, employer, significant other and family), supportive management related to mild depression, anxiety and self-esteem development.
• Social-Interaction: Socialization to support employment, peer and family interaction, development of personal interests and managing the social environment.
• Vocational: Skill development, job readiness education, job development, job matching and on the job follow up and support.

CAL is committed to creating, and maintaining a living and working environment, which will promote dignity and support a sense of community. The program provides each participant with an individual plan for growth. Clients who apply to CAL should have the potential for employment. Clients have been placed in a variety of job situations, including drugstores, restaurants, data entry, cashiering, stocking merchandise, janitorial work, and courtesy clerks. Some of the clients are enrolled in Diablo Valley Community College, and also take courses at the local Adult Education Center.

CRITERIA FOR ADMISSION:

1. Participants must be twenty (20) years of age or older.
2. Participants must have the capability of supported independent living in an environment supervised no more than twelve (12) hours a day.
3. Participants must have employment potential (volunteer or paid).
4. Participants must have a neurological impairment that makes totally independent living problematic. This may include autism, attention deficit disorder, learning disabilities, obsessive/compulsive disorder, borderline functioning mental retardation, epilepsy; brain injury or other conditions which render the individual neurologically impaired.
5. Participants much demonstrate a desire to live independently, with support.
6. Participants must be willing and able to live in an alcohol and drug free program.
7. If the participant is taking medications and cannot reliably be expected to do so without supervision, arrangements may be made on a case-by-case basis to have the center’s certified personnel monitor the medication.
8. The assumption is that funding for the CAL program is usually private. For those that qualify, funding may be available through the Regional Center or School Districts.

FACILITIES: Clients lease two bedroom apartments through the center (two clients per apartment). The facilities are located within walking distance of public transportation, BART, shopping, religious institutions, the library and other community services.

HOW TO APPLY: Interested families may call the Admissions and Marketing Coordinator at 925-827-3863 ext. 120 and request an appointment for an interview with the Executive Director; a complete psychological assessment and two letters of reference are also required. Admission to the program is at the discretion of the management team. E-mail: info@centerforadaptivelearning.org

PROGRAM SUPPORT: CAL is a public, non-profit (501c3), non-sectarian, California corporation. Center for Adaptive Learning (CAL) is licensed by the State of California: Dept. of Education and Dept. of Social Services, CAL is also a vendor of services for the Regional Centers in California.

The Center for Adaptive Learning considers applicants without regard to race, creed, sexual orientation or national origin.

For More Information
Contact The Center for Adaptive Learning at

• Web http://www.centerforadaptivelearning.org/
• Phone 925-827-3863
• Email info@centerforadaptivelearning.org