We increase access to educational success.
Our work advances economic opportunity,
We advance equity in health and well-being.
We strive to improve safety and resilience.
Educational Success
Our statewide Early Intervention Program, known as Blind Babies Foundation in Northern and Central California, provides early intervention services for children with vision loss and multiple disabilities, from birth to age 6. Young children maximize any vision they have and reduce developmental delays. The program empowers parents with knowledge and advocacy skills. During the pandemic, specialists are providing telehealth sessions instead of in-home visits.
Number: 1,079 children and 3,237 family members
Outcome: 992% of children in Early Intervention and Blind Babies met their individual development goals.
Our Special Education School offers children and youth ages 5 to 22 who have multiple disabilities, including vision loss, a safe, positive environment for growth. Teachers are continuing to develop students’ communication, mobility, and independent living skills during the pandemic through online distance learning. The school drops off materials and helps families support their children’s learning.
Number: 46 children and 138 family members
Outcome: 79% of students in our Special Education School met their individual
goals in white-cane skills, independent living, braille and communication, and social and vocational skills.
Economic Opportunity
The Davidson Program for Independence in Los Angeles and Hatlen Center in San Pablo are comprehensive residential programs for adults ages 18 and older who are blind or visually impaired to find employment and enjoy productive, fulfilling lives. In response to the coronavirus stay-home order, participants transitioned to distance learning to continue studying braille, assistive technology, orientation and mobility, and independent- living skills.
Number: 65 adults
Outcome: 88% of graduates of Davidson and Hatlen increased their
independence by achieving their goals in orientation and mobility, assistive technology and independent living skills.
Transition Services enable teenagers and young adults who are blind or visually impaired to explore careers and successfully transition to independent living, college or the workforce. Across California, young people learn about financial aid and scholarship options, participate in work-based learning and practice interviewing skills. During the pandemic, training is being delivered virtually.
Number: 80 teens and young adults
Outcome: 100% of teens and young adults who participated for at least six
months in Transition Services were in higher levels of training, employed or enrolled in higher education within six months of completing the program.
Assistive Technology Training provides instruction to adults with vision loss on the latest assistive technology devices and software for success in today’s job market. During the pandemic, technology training is being delivered via distance learning and has incorporated training in web conferencing tools.
Number: 24 adults
Employment Services teaches adults who are blind or visually impaired the skills they need to get a job. Delivered via distance learning during the pandemic, the program added training in virtual meeting etiquette, video interviewing and work-from-home expectations. Clients emerge as competitive candidates in the workforce.
Number: 11 adults
Health and Well-being
Wayfinder operates five GROUP HOMES in single-family residences for children, youth and adults with multiple disabilities. During the pandemic, our group homes are fully staffed and running without interruption. All group homes are conveniently located near Wayfinder’s Los Angeles campus so that, when it is safe to do so again, residents can attend the Special Education School in person and use Wayfinder’s recreational facilities.
Number: 29 children and young adults.
Outcome: 83% of residents in our group homes increased
independence by achieving two or more of their four individual goals for the year.
Wayfinder’s MEDICAL CENTER provides 24-hour services to children with complex medical and mental health needs. Our staff includes 15 nurses and a psychiatrist. We contract with a nurse practitioner, endocrinologist and behavioral psychologist. The medical center primarily serves children in our residential programs and the Special Education School.
Outcome: Wayfinder’s nursing staff administered an average of 276 doses of medication per day, or 100,740 per year.
MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES provides therapy to children, adults and families in our programs and in the community who are dealing with vision loss, multiple disabilities, behavioral issues or trauma. Our therapists are delivering mental health services via telehealth during the pandemic.
Number: 119 community members
Outcome: 85% of children and youth demonstrated a
decrease in functional impairments as a result of mental health interventions.
CAMP BLOOMFIELD After fire destroyed Camp Bloomfield in November 2018, Wayfinder welcomed campers to the Point Fermin Outdoor Education Center in summer 2019. During the pandemic in summer 2020, Camp Bloomfield live-streamed activities with audio description for campers with vision loss. Each camper received a box of supplies for fun activities.
Number: 205 campers
Outcome: 95% of campers with vision loss learned at least
one new independent living skill.
Wayfinder offers SPORTS AND RECREATIONS that are adapted for child and teen athletes with disabilities. During the pandemic Wayfinder is leading online workouts for athletes at home in goalball and blind judo, as well as co-hosting toddler workouts for early intervention staff and babies.
Number: 490 children and youth and 304 family members
Safety and Resilience
Wayfinder’s SHORT-TERM RESIDENTIAL THERAPEUTIC PROGRAM is a residential treatment program on our Los Angeles campus for traumatized foster youth with acute mental health and behavioral issues. During the pandemic, the program is open 24/7 for youth to overcome their challenges.
Number: 63 youth
Outcome: 70% of foster youth in our STRTP showed an increase in
existing strengths or in those the youth wanted to acquire.
The TEMPORARY SHELTER CARE PROGRAM, known as THE COTTAGE, is a 10-day shelter on our Los Angeles campus for children, ages 0 through 17, who have been removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect and are awaiting placement. The Cottage continues to be a safe haven through the pandemic.
Number: 1,538 children
Outcome: 71% of children ages 6 to 18 who completed an exit survey
reported they felt safe, their rights were respected and their needs met while in The Cottage.
Our FOSTER CARE AND ADOPTION program matches children and youth with families that can provide safe, caring homes. Wayfinder offers specialized training for families to prepare them to foster children with health and mental health conditions. In 2020, Lilliput Families became
a part of Wayfinder. Lilliput is recognized statewide for its high-quality delivery of timely permanency services—reunification, kinship care, guardianship and adoption. Together, we are building healthier families and finding loving homes for children across the state.
Number: 1,317 children and 2,853 family members
Outcome: 98% of children and youth remained stable in their
resource family home, transitioned to a lower level of care or entered a permanent placement.
The KINSHIP SUPPORT SERVICES PROGRAM supports grandparents, extended family members or close family friends who step up to raise children so they avoid the trauma of separation from their birth family.
Number: 4,543 children and 3,896 family caregivers
Outcome: 94% of relative care families were stabilized and maintained while active, case-managed program participants.
Our FAMILY FINDING SERVICES conduct an exhaustive search for relatives and people close to the child in foster care. We connect children to these important people so children can maintain or establish valuable, supportive family relationships.
Number: 162 children and youth
Outcome: 91% of youth in Family Finding increased
their number of connections.
PROMOTING SAFE AND STABLE FAMILIES and HOME TO STAY provide family services to prevent at-risk children from entering foster care. Parents whose children are in foster care receive SUPERVISED VISITATION AND COACHING services to strengthen parenting and sustain family ties.
Number: 332 children and 256 adults
Outcome: 68% of PSSF families improved family interactions. 100% of youth who completed Home to Stay remained at home with their families during the program. 96% of Visitation and Coaching parents increased their knowledge of parenting skills.
December 15, 2020