We Increase Access To Educational Success
Our statewide CHILD DEVELOPMENT SERVICES provides 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. The program offers in-person and telehealth sessions.
– Number: 701 children and 2,372 family members
– Outcome: 88% of children in Child Development 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 develop students’ communication, mobility and independent living skills. Students learn in the least restrictive environment in our state-certified, non-public school.
– Number: 41 children and 146 family members
– Outcome: 63% 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.
Our Work Advances Economic Opportunity
The DAVIDSON PROGRAM FOR INDEPENDENCE in Los Angeles and HATLEN CENTER in San Pablo are comprehensive residential rehabilitation programs for adults ages 18 and older who are blind or visually impaired. Participants learn braille, assistive technology, orientation and mobility, and independent-living skills so they can successfully transition to education or employment and enjoy productive, fulfilling lives.
– Number: 60 adults
– Outcome: 89% of graduates of Davidson and Hatlen achieved a rating of 5 in overall independence on a 5-point scale or had an average increase of 2 points on a 5-point scale in all of their skill areas: braille, orientation and mobility, assistive technology and independent living.
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. The program offers virtual trainings and a multiweek immersive summer training.
– Number: 24 teens and young adults
– Outcome: Participants achieved 94% of their individualized, short-term training goals in their service plans.
ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY TRAINING and EMPLOYMENT SERVICES provide adults who are blind or visually impaired with the skills they need for success in the job market. ATT clients learn how to use the latest assistive devices and software for success in the job market. ES clients receive training and job placement, plus coaching and orientation and mobility instruction, to find and keep jobs. ATT and ES clients emerge as competitive candidates in the workforce.
– Number: 82 adults
We Advance Equity In Health and Well-Being
Wayfinder operates five GROUP HOMES in single-family residences for children, youth and adults with multiple disabilities. Our group homes are fully staffed and running without interruption during the pandemic. All group homes are conveniently located near Wayfinder’s Los Angeles campus so that residents can attend the Special Education School and use Wayfinder’s recreational facilities.
– Number: 29 children and young adults
– Outcome: 78% of residents in our group homes increased independence by achieving two or more of their four individual goals for the year.
Wayfinder’s MEDICAL DEPARTMENT provides 24-hour services to children with complex medical and mental health needs. Our staff includes 12 nurses and a psychiatrist. We contract with a nurse practitioner, endocrinologist and behavioral psychologist. The medical department primarily serves children in our residential programs and the Special Education School.
– Outcome: Wayfinder’s nursing staff administered an average of 211 doses of medication per day, or 77,015 in 2021-22, and achieved an extremely low error rate of 0.0000129%, far below the industry standard of 5%.
MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES provides in-person and teleheath 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 community mental health services are preventative and help build resilient individuals and stronger families in Los Angeles, Butte and Shasta counties.
– Number: 353 community clients plus 1,059 family members
– Outcome: 90% of children and youth demonstrated a decrease in functional impairments as a result of mental health interventions.
In 2022, CAMP BLOOMFIELD returned to being an overnight camp at Pathfinder Ranch near the San Jacinto Mountains. Our original Camp Bloomfield in Malibu burned in 2018, and during the first two summers of the pandemic, it was a virtual camp and day camp. Campers who are blind or visually impaired participate in adaptive sports and memorable outdoor activities that build friendships, develop self-esteem and promote independence.
– Number: 174 campers
– Outcome: 85% of campers with vision loss learned at least one new adaptive sport, recreational sport, recreational activity or independent living skill.
Wayfinder offers sports, recreation and outdoor adventures that are adapted for child and teen athletes with disabilities. Among the varied, engaging activities in 2021-22 were deep sea fishing, surfing, judo, skiing, goalball and many more.
– Number: 273 children and youth and 819 family members
We Strive To Improve Safety and Resilience
The TEMPORARY SHELTER CARE PROGRAM, known as THE COTTAGE, is a 10-day shelter on our
Los Angeles campus for children ages 0 to 18 who have been removed from their homes due to abuse or
neglect and are awaiting placement with a relative or resource family. The program is one of only four in the county and the only one licensed to care for infants and toddlers.
– Number: 921 children
– Outcome: 99% 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 and support for families to enable them to foster children with health and mental health conditions. Our post-adoption services maintain the stability and permanency of children in their adoptive families.
– Number: 556 children and 758 adults
– Outcome: 91% 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: 682 children and 619 caregivers
– Outcome: 86% of relative care families were stabilized and maintained while active, case-managed program participants.
Our FAMILY FINDING SERVICES PROGRAM conducts 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: 187 children and youth
– Outcome: 90% of youth in Family Finding increased their number of connections.
PROMOTING SAFE AND STABLE FAMILIES and CHILD AND FAMILY DEVELOPMENT provide counseling and support 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: 412 children and 465 adults
– Outcome: 90% of PSSF families were stable with no children re-entering foster care within six months of discharge. 100% of youth in CFD families did not have an out-of-home placement during the program. 100% of Visitation and Coaching parents increased their knowledge of parenting skills.
Download The Complete Annual Report
March 30, 2023