A Caretaker/Parent
ABLE Act and CalABLE Accounts
CalABLE Account Information — California Achieving a Better Life Experience (CalABLE) allows people with disabilities to establish a tax-advantaged ABLE account to save up to $18,000 per year and up to $100,000 in total without losing vital public benefits such as SSI or SSDI. Earnings in these accounts are not subject to federal or California state income tax, so long as they are spent on Qualified Disability Expenses.
- ABLE Act Fact Sheet (The Arc)
- ABLE Act Brief
- ABLE Act Fact Sheet (Extended)
- CalABLE FAQ
- CalABLE FAQ (Chinese)
- CalABLE FAQ (Spanish)
- CalABLE FAQ (Vietnamese)
Benefits and Support Programs
In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) Program
The IHSS Program will help pay for services provided to you so that you can remain safely in your own home. To be eligible, you must be over 65 years of age, or disabled, or blind. Disabled children are also potentially eligible for IHSS. IHSS is considered an alternative to out-of-home care, such as nursing homes or board and care facilities. Services that can be authorized through IHSS include housecleaning, meal preparation, laundry, grocery shopping, personal care, accompaniment to medical appointments, and protective supervision for the mentally impaired.
Medi-Cal Application Information
Respite — Respite Care Handbook for Latino Parents by Daniel Fenton
County Social Services
Social Services Agency — Santa Clara County: A culturally sensitive and socially responsible public agency providing high quality, professional, financial, and protective services for residents of Santa Clara County.
Social Services — Monterey County
Social Services — San Benito County
Social Services — Santa Cruz County
Financial Assistance and Social Security
Disability Benefits 101: Tools and information on health coverage, benefits, and employment. Plan ahead and learn how work and benefits go together.
Social Security Benefits: Angelina Valle & Associates
The attorneys of Angelina Valle & Associates advocate for individuals with disabilities and their families in the process of winning social security and long-term disability benefits.
Single Mothers Grants: A general directory of programs that offer assistance for various needs.
Legal Rights and Advocacy
Conservatorship Information: A conservatorship is a court case where a judge appoints a responsible person or organization (called the “conservator”) to care for another adult (called the “conservatee”) who cannot care for themselves or manage their own finances.
Disability.gov: The U.S. federal government website for information on disability programs and services nationwide.
Supported Decision Making: Supported Decision-Making recognizes that everyone has the right to make choices. It is “a recognized alternative to guardianship through which people with disabilities use friends, family members, and professionals to help them understand the situations and choices they face, so they make their own decisions without the ‘need’ for a guardian.” (Blanck & Martinis, 2015).
Mental Health Resources
Mental Health Support — Theravive: A network of licensed and professional clinical counselors, therapists, and psychologists.
Mental Health — Medi-Cal Behavioral Health: Medi-Cal-related mental health functions are handled by the Department of Health Care Services, Mental Health Services Division.
Meriah Nichols Guide: A general resource guide for a variety of services.
Safety Resources
Autism Safety Information: The Parental Guide to Keeping Kids with Autism Safe
KidPower — Safety Skills for People with Special Needs: People of all ages with disabilities or other special needs are especially vulnerable to facing bullying, abuse, or assault. KidPower teaches self-protection and personal safety skills to tens of thousands of children, teens, and adults with challenging life circumstances.
DDS Safety Net: For Health, Safety, and a Better Life
Guidelines for first responders: California First Responders Training
Silver Alert: The California Highway Patrol responds to missing people with developmental disabilities.
Transition to Adulthood
Adulthood Checklist — Families of teens with autism and developmental disabilities are often overwhelmed by the complexities of transitioning out of the school system into the fragmented and confusing system of adult care. This checklist is intended to provide an overview of many of the elements to consider during this transition period and beyond. Thank you to the Autism Society of the Bay Area for this informative checklist.
Transparency