(SAN JOSE, CA) Local provider Jay Nolan Community Services, Inc (JNCS) is now offering Independent Living Services (ILS) in Santa Cruz County and Monterey County. A leader in the disability service sector, JNCS has provided individualized support services for children and adults with Autism and other intellectual and developmental disabilities in San Jose and the greater Los Angeles area since 1975.
Luz Chavez, the Regional Director of Northern California at JNCS, expects that this latest expansion will provide support to families living in under-served areas such as Watsonville and Castroville. She explains, “this can be an amazing opportunity to reach out to rural areas, where available services are minimal.”
The expansion is only possible through the partnerships forged with the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) and local regional centers. Chavez also gives credit to the hard work of her staff: “I’m very fortunate that I have a great team and we’re very motivated and proud of what we do.”
Independent Living Services (ILS) provides training and assistance for transition-age youth and adults with autism and other intellectual or developmental disabilities to acquire and maintain skills that help them achieve greater independence while living with others or living independently in their local communities. Services focus on basic self-help activities such as money management, health and medical care, volunteering, going to work or school, and tasks of daily living.
ILS is perfectly suited to assist teenagers transitioning from high school to higher education or the workforce. Chavez stresses that services also include assistance with transportation. “We can offer a better tool for people who need transportation in rural places…where people have to walk to get the bus.”
JNCS will begin with assessing existing referrals for services from the San Andreas Regional Center (SARC) in the late summer and begin providing services by the end of 2022. Families who are interested in applying for services through Jay Nolan Community Services can contact SARC to discuss eligibility and next steps.
In support of the expansion, JNCS is now recruiting Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) to begin providing services in Castroville and Watsonville. Salaries for DSPs at Jay Nolan start at $18.75 per hour and include health, vision, and dental insurance, childcare support, pension plan and other benefits for full-time staff. Interested job seekers are encouraged to visit the JNCS website at https://jaynolan.org to learn more, RSVP to the upcoming job fair (date TBD) or submit a job application.
In the future, Chavez plans to expand beyond ILS services to support other members of the community that may need help. This includes supporting families with young children through Family Support Services and assisting adults wishing to live in their own homes through Supported Living Services.
The Mission of Jay Nolan Community Services: Since 1975, Jay Nolan Community Services has enabled individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other developmental disabilities to live fulfilling lives as members of the community by providing support services customized to their individual needs.
Learn more at: https://jaynolan.org
