Wayfinder Surpasses Targets in Satisfaction and Equity
Across all Wayfinder programs, we asked clients whether they were satisfied or dissatisfied with our services and if they were treated with respect. Clients’ responses help us measure whether we are living our values.
WE ARE PROUD OF OUR 2023-24 RESULTS
97% of Wayfinder clients were satisfied
with our program services.
Exceeded 90% target
98% of Wayfinder clients reported they were treated with courtesy and respect for their family, culture and personal identity.
Exceeded 90% target
Wayfinder Programs
Educational Success
464 Children + 1,392 Family Members
Wayfinder’s statewide Child Development Services helps children with vision loss or multiple disabilities, ages 0 to 6, maximize any vision they have and reduce developmental delays. 77% of children met or exceeded their individual goals in each domain: vision, language, socialization, and self-help or independent-living skills. 92% of parents acquired knowledge to advocate for their child’s special needs.
Family Resource Navigator, a component of Child Development Services, deploys staff to hospitals, clinics and other locations to assist parents of infants born prematurely or with medical complications in navigating the care system. 100% of caregivers increased their knowledge of local early intervention and social service programs.
Our Special Education School provides a safe, positive learning environment for children and youth ages 5 to 22 who have multiple disabilities, including vision loss. 85% of students met their goals in behavioral and social skills, 80% in orientation and mobility, 78% in independent living skills and 64% in braille and communication.
Economic Opportunity
161 Teenagers, young adults and adults
Transition Services enables teenagers and young adults who are blind or visually impaired to explore careers and successfully transition to independent living, college or the workforce. 98% of participants increased knowledge of their options in employment and vocational or college education. 100% of participants increased confidence in their ability to prepare for and secure employment.
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. 100% of participants achieved a rating of 5 in overall independence on a 5-point scale or had an average increase of at least 2 points on a 5-point scale measuring their independent living skills. 100% of graduates moved into independent living or enrolled in an education or training program within 12 months of graduation.
In Assistive Technology Training, adults who are blind or visually impaired learn the latest assistive devices and software for success in the job market. 100% of participants increased competency in assistive technology, improving their job competitiveness.
Adults with vision loss in Employment Services receive assessments, training and job placement, as well as coaching and instruction in orientation and mobility to find and keep jobs.
Health and Well-Being
1,155 Children and Adults + 3,123 Family Members
Mental Health Services provides therapy to children, adults and families in our programs and in the community who are dealing with trauma, behavioral issues or disabilities. In community mental health services, 80% of clients decreased the impairments that were preventing them from functioning well in their schools, families, relationships or social interactions.
Be Well mitigates mental health and wellness challenges for youth ages 14 to 25 who are experiencing mental health disorders or early symptoms. The program also supports healing, destigmatizes mental health challenges and strengthens resiliency for vulnerable youth. 97% of youth in Be Well improved their capacity to manage mental illness symptoms and increased functioning.
Our Medical Department provides 24-hour services to children with complex medical and mental health needs in our residential programs and Special Education School. Nurses administered an average of 205 doses of medication per day or 74,825 doses during the year with an exceptionally low error rate of 0.00006%, compared with the industry standard 5% error rate.
Older Individuals who are Blind provides adults ages 55 and older who are visually impaired with training to assist them in living independently. As a result, older adults gain independence and self-sufficiency so they can participate more fully in their communities.
Camp Bloomfield welcomes child and family campers, many with vision loss and other disabilities, for adaptive sports and memorable outdoor activities. They build friendships, develop self-esteem and increase independence, as demonstrated by 97% who gained confidence in their ability to participate in all activities and who strengthened their sense of independence.
Wayfinder’s sports, recreation and outdoor adventures are adapted for athletes with disabilities. Among the varied activities were deep sea fishing, whitewater river rafting, surfing, snow skiing, a 5K run, tandem bicycle riding, goalball, blind soccer and beep baseball.
Safety and Resilience
2,607 Children + 1,391 Caregivers
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. 100% of children who completed an exit survey reported they felt safe, their rights were respected and their needs met while in the program.
The Haven provides shelter on our Los Angeles campus and long-term foster care for children ages 0 to 17 who enter the country unaccompanied by family. Our staff provide child-centered, trauma-informed services to refugee children, who have complex, intertwined needs, while searching for family members who can be suitable sponsors.
Our statewide Foster Care Program matches children and youth with families that can provide safe, caring homes. Wayfinder offers specialized training and support for families to foster children with health and mental health conditions. 96% of children maintained stability in the same resource family home; 66% exited to permanency, i.e., reunification, living with relatives, adoption or guardianship.
Wayfinder’s Adoption Program completed 74 adoptions of children from foster care across California.
Our Post-Adoption Services maintain the stability and permanency of children in their adoptive families. 97% of children remained stable in their adoptive homes after discharge.
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. One year after case closure, 97% of children remained with a kinship caregiver, were adopted, lived with a legal guardian or reunited with their parents.
Our Family Finding Program searches for and locates relatives and people close to youth in foster care so that youth can maintain or establish valuable, supportive relationships. 88% of youth were in contact with at least one newly identified extended family member at discharge from the program.
Promoting Safe and Stable Families provides counseling and support to prevent vulnerable children from entering or re-entering foster care. 95% of families remained stable with no children re-entering foster care six months after discharge.
Child and Family Development strengthens parenting skills to reduce the risk of out-of-home placement for children. 83% of families enhanced their parenting skills and improved child and family functioning.
Visitation and Coaching Services strengthens parenting and sustains family ties for parents whose children are in foster care. 96% of adults improved their ability to provide a safe and nurturing environment for their children.
Family Evaluation assesses resource families, including adoptive families, by completing resource family evaluations within county timeframes.