BECOMING INDEPENDENT

Community-based volunteer opportunities, recreational activities, classes and job readiness training are provided through our Life Skills program. Classes are designed to teach skills that are applicable in real-life situations such as budgeting, pedestrian safety and health & wellness. A cooking program that includes beginning, intermediate and advanced classes focuses on healthy meal options utilizing fresh produce from our on-site garden. Partner organizations for community volunteerism include Sonoma County Library, Meals on Wheels, Redwood Empire Food Bank, St Vincent De Paul and Restyle Marketplace. The Life Skills program strives to tailor each person’s day to his or her expressed preferences, interests and goals.

The focus is on building daily living skills in areas including: Socialization and communication, daily living, nutrition, self advocacy, Rights and Responsibilities, disaster preparedness.

BI realizes that creative expression is an integral part of the human experience. The BI Professional Art Program fulfills this commitment to exploring and developing personal creativity by providing artists with inspiration, instruction, encouragement, and opportunities for exhibitions and sales.

We focus on offering our artists the opportunity to explore multiple mediums for their creative growth. Our classes also include community trips to museums, galleries, and special events to assist in further enrichment of the arts.

Disciplines include: Focused art classes, which include – art history, photography, painting, graphic design, ceramics, animation, and much more, community access to local galleries and events, Artist in Residency opportunities, artist lecture series, art sales, participation in local and national art exhibits.

Inclusive Community Services (ICS) supports people in a 1:2 ratio to explore interests, passions and desires through inclusive community activities. With a focus on person centered thinking, ICS fosters individual’s choice and self-advocacy skills. Individuals may attend classes in independent living skills, job readiness, career exploration and fostering community partnerships. The goal of the program is to support adults in becoming active participants in their local communities.

BI provides transportation services for individuals for whom public transportation usage is not feasible due to present skill levels or limited availability in rural Sonoma County.

BI provides daily transportation between individuals’ homes and programs/work settings in fifteen-passenger vans or lift-equipped, wheelchair accessible vans and buses. BI also utilizes a number of trucks, passenger vans and sedans. In between the morning and afternoon routes, the vehicles are made available to Becoming Independent services for transporting individuals to work locations, community activities and out-of-town travel.

Independent Living Services are provided with the goal of empowering people to exercise as much personal choice and responsibility as possible through the acquisition and retention of independent living skills. Services are provided in the community in a one-on-one setting and are based on an assessment of the individual’s current skills across domains including finances, self-advocacy, housing, etc. in conjunction with one’s personal preferences. Individuals may select training and education in a variety of areas including: Financial management, health and safety, community resources, mobility, personal and social skills.

These services are grounded in the principles of supported living assuring that they are flexible and person centered. Support is customized to meet the individual’s level of need and can range from weekly meetings, classes and activities to 24/7 support in the home of one’s choosing. Services include: Support groups, recreational and social opportunities, personal care assistance, 24 hour emergency response, instruction and training in all aspects of community living.

Becoming Independent Supported Employment Services provide individuals with employment preparation, job development, placement, and job coaching in a competitive position in the community. Services include instruction in critical work skills that are needed in competitive employment including: Job seeking skills, work competencies; including communication and interpersonal skills, on the job skill training, destination/travel training, assistance with other support agencies i.e.; Regional Center and Department of Rehabilitation, support in keeping a job, communication with parents, care-providers, and employers.

Tailored Day Services (TDS) provides one-on-one support to individuals who want to explore their vocational interests and increase their job readiness skills.

Some of the opportunities supported include: Internships, job exploration, micro-enterprise development, education.

Vocational Services provide paid work on-site and in businesses to individuals interested in a variety of employment opportunities, and who may be working toward competitive and/or full-time employment.

Jobs include: Packaging and assembly, labeling, boxing, sorting, litter abatement, janitorial, mass mailings, shredding, restaurant set-up and prep, and more!