We Increase Access To Educational Success
Our statewide EARLY INTERVENTION PROGRAM 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. The program is continuing telehealth sessions as of October 2021.
– Number: 957 children and 3,253 family members
– Outcome: 90% of children in our early intervention programs 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. The school returned to in-person learning in September 2021.
– Number: 43 children and 152 family members
– Outcome: 76% 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 find employment and enjoy productive, fulfilling lives. The programs are offering in-person services as of May 2021, plus a virtual option.
– Number: 50 adults
– Outcome: 91% 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 scholarships, participate in work-based learning and practice interviewing skills. The program returned to in-person services in summer 2021 and continues to offer virtual options.
– Number: 26 teens and young adults
– Outcome: 85% of teens and young adults who participated in Transition Services achieved their individualized short-term goals.
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. Clients emerge as competitive candidates in the workforce. After incorporating topics related to virtual work during the pandemic, the programs are delivering services in- person with virtual options.
– Number: 95 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
– Number: 32 children and young adults
– Outcome: 78% of residents in our group homes increased their 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 15 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 216 doses of medication per day, or 78,840 in 2020-21.
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 community mental health services are preventative and help build resilient individuals and families. Our therapists are offering in-person or telehealth options for mental health services.
– Number: 166 community members
– Outcome: 97% of children and youth demonstrated a decrease in functional impairments as a result of mental health interventions.
In 2021, CAMP BLOOMFIELD offered exciting in-person camp activities and an online virtual option for campers who are blind or visually impaired. Our original camp in Malibu was destroyed by the Woolsey fire in 2018, and Wayfinder continues to offer summer camp at other locations.
– Number: 100 campers
– Outcome: 100% of campers with vision loss learned at
least one new independent living skill.
Wayfinder offers SPORTS, RECREATION AND OUTDOOR ADVENTURES that are adapted for child and teen athletes with disabilities.
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 that accepts infants and toddlers.
– Number: 1,264 children
– Outcome: 95% 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. 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: 205 children and 615 family members
– Outcome: 86% 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: 634 children and 579 caregivers
– Outcome: 96% of relative care families were stabilized and maintained while active, case-managed program participants.
Our FAMILY FINDING SERVICES conducts an exhaustive search for relatives and people close to the child in foster care. We connect children to these important people so youth can maintain or establish valuable, supportive family relationships.
– Number: 212 children and youth
– Outcome: 70% 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: 343 children and 450 adults
– Outcome: 92% 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. 98% of Visitation and Coaching parents increased their knowledge of parenting skills.
Download The Complete Annual Report
December 8, 2021