Self-Help Probate Resources

AbilityPath

Information, referrals and legal help for people with developmental disabilities. 

Easter Seals Northern California

Comprehensive therapeutic services to help individuals w/disabilities gain greater independence and mobility. Therapeutic services include occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech and language therapy.

Op-Community

Blog about people with disabilities and other helpful information and resources:

• Characteristics of people with disabilities
• Ability to self-service
• About barriers for people with disabilities
• Prevalence of disability
• Rules of etiquette made by people with disabilities

Greater Opportunities

Serving the Developmentally Disabled. Several centers in Santa Clara county with services like:

• training in self-care and community safety,
• pre-academic and leisure activities, and
• structured day programs for adults (18 years and over) with developmental disabilities.

Get a referral from San Andreas Regional Center .

Hope Services

Provides job training, sheltered workshop experience and counseling in several centers located in Santa Clara, Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Benito counties.

In addition, provides

• training in self-care,
• community safety,
• pre-academic activities and
• leisure activities

depending on the individual's program plans.

Manages the Senior Activity Center, which provides special structured day programs to developmentally disabled adults age 50 and over.

HIP Housing

Accessible, low cost housing. Qualifying persons include:

• adults with physical, mental and/or developmental disabilities
• low-income seniors
• people with HIV/AIDS and
• persons with very low income

Law Foundation of Silicon Valley-Health Program

Provides free legal advice and representation to individuals in Santa Clara County who identify as living with mental health disabilities.

Pacific Autism Center for Education (PACE)

Special instructional classes in speech and language development, occupational skills and behavior management for autistic people or people who have a developmental disability. There are 3 residential homes for adults 18-59+ years of age, in Sunnyvale and in San Jose, and 2 homes in Cupertino for children 3-18 years of age. Call for more information on if you qualify.

Parents Helping Parents

For parents of children with special needs (like Down's Syndrome, cerebral palsy, learning disabilities, autism, attention deficit disorders and premature birth, to name a few). You can find:

• information,
• training,
• mentoring,
• parent to parent contacts,
• referrals,
• networking and support groups,
• a lending library, and
• information on helpful technological devices and other local resources.

San Andreas Regional Center (SARC)

Information and help for people with developmental disabilities. SARC helps people in Santa Clara, San Benito, Santa Cruz and Monterey counties. Services include:

• diagnosis and evaluation,
• counseling and advocacy,
• help finding a place to live in the community,
• help going to (or leaving) a State Developmental Center,
• coordinating services,
• referrals to other agencies, and
• payment for some services.

Santa Clara County Office of Education

Special education programs for people with severe handicaps. The programs are for people from birth to age 22. Contact the school district you live in to get more information.

Social Vocational Services (SVS)
SVS Locations

Help with work skills and finding a job, for adults with developmental disabilities (with a referral from the San Andreas Regional Center or the Dept. of Rehabilitation), SVS also has a local behavior treatment program.

Special Olympics Northern California

Athletic training and competition programs in various sports, for developmentally disabled children and adults.

United Cerebral Palsy Association

Help for family members and people who have cerebral palsy, intellectual, developmental, and other disabilities.

Family Caregiver Alliance

Services for people caring for adults who are brain-impaired (because of an accident or a disease such as Alzheimer's).

Regional Medical Center , Therapy Services

Rehabilitation services for patients recovering from spinal injuries, head trauma and brain injuries.

Santa Clara Valley Medical Center , Rehabilitation Center

Provides training in independent living skills (in preparation for leaving hospital care) to clients recovering from spinal cord or head injuries.

Silicon Valley Independent Living Center

Services that promote independence in jobs, housing and living at home. You can get:

• counseling,
• advocacy,
• information,
• referrals, and
• loans of equipment for persons with disabilities in order to promote independence

Skills Plus Santa Clara Adult Education

The primary program is designed for stroke survivors and individuals who suffer from neurological disorders or physical disabilities. Taught by occupational therapists and speech therapists. Classes include:

• mobility training,
• upper body exercises,
• memory training,
• perceptual skills,
• language skills,
• listening skills, and
• speech skills.

There are also independent living classes, like

• basic food preparation,
• leisure activities, and
• arts and crafts.

Community Solutions 24-Hour Crisis Line: (877) 363-7238)

Programs include:

• Behavioral Healthcare Services, individual, group and family counseling. Supportive Housing Services for Mentally Ill Adults and Sober living environment residence.
• Prevention and Education Services, home based support for overburdened families with at least one child under 5 years old
• Solutions to Violence Services, 24-hour Rape Crisis Line, support groups for assault survivors. Women’s Shelter for battered women.

Law Foundation of Silicon Valley , Mental Health Advocacy Project

Information and advocacy for mentally ill people and people with developmental disabilities. The project wants to protect the legal rights of the mentally ill and developmentally disabled. You can get free legal advice, referral and representation for:

• daily living problems (like care and treatment,
• education and employment (information and referral only)
• public benefits
• economic rights,
• housing rights,
• consumer issues (information and referral only)
• discrimination
• general legal questions

Call or stop by the office.

Momentum for Mental Health

Contact information

Serves adults in the Santa Clara County community who are living with serious mental health or substance use conditions. They provide

• outpatient care
• residential treatment programs
•  community programs
• supportive services
  • employment services
  • independent and supportive housing

National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI) Santa Clara County

NAMI National website

Services include:

• information and referrals,
• advocacy for the mentally ill, and
• a library of helpful information for sale or to look at.

You may have to pay a fee.

Santa Clara County Behavioral Health Services

Santa Clara County Behavioral Health Department provides screening and referrals for mental health treatment for families who receive Medi-Cal benefits.

AIDS Community Research Consortium (ACRC)

Provides programs that are responsive to the changing needs of those infected and affected with HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis C (HCV) by offering:

• innovative outreach education
• prevention
• case management
• food
• transportation
• clinical trial services

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Operators are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to:

• answer questions,
• provide referrals, and
• send free publications through email and postal mail

Family Caregiver Alliance

Services like: Workshops for caregivers of brain impaired adults and victims of AIDS dementia.

HealthTrust

Serves anyone in living with Type 2 diabetes or HIV/AIDS in Santa Clara County by assuring access to all services needed to promote health, dignity, and quality of life to support the prevention and management of these conditions.

California Department of Rehabilitation - Blind Field Services

Services include:

• education,
• job training,
• classes in mobility, adaptive techniques and devices, and transportation training.
• counseling.

Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired

Services include:

• rehabilitation skills training,
• resources for recent vision loss
• employment placement services

Prevent Blindness

Teaches safety and how to prevent blindness. Offers resources and vision screening for students.

Vista Center for the Blind & Visually Impaired
Locations in San Jose, Santa Cruz and Palo Alto

Services include:

• low-vision clinics,
• counseling and support groups,
• Braille classes,
• computer skills classes,
• in-home training in daily living skills, orientation, and mobility,
• employment program,
• youth group,
• store with products for the visually impaired.

California Deaf and Disabled Telecommunication Program

Free special equipment and services. To qualify, you must live in California and have a land line, and have problems with your:

• hearing,
• vision,
• mobility,
• speech, and/or
• ability to understand information.

You might be able to get home installation and special training. Just ask.

You can get services in English or Spanish.

Deaf Counseling Advocacy and Referral Agency (DCARA)

Services include:

• information and referral,
• peer counseling,
• advocacy in discrimination cases,
• training in independent living skills and job development, and
• interpreting services.

Programs include:

• Communication Skills for Foreign-Born Deaf Adults,
• Deaf Latino Program, and
• Captioned Movie Night.

Hearing and Speech Center

Services include:

• educational programs,
• speech/language therapy,
• auditory training,
• assessments, and
• counseling.

Hearing Loss Association of America (California State Association) 

Support for people with reduced hearing. Services include monthly meetings and information.

Skills Plus: Santa Clara Adult Education

Classes for neurologically impaired adults. Classes include:

• training in mobility,
• communication, and
• independent living skills.

Hearts and Minds Activity Center

Services include:

• a day program with a noon meal,
• social and recreational activities, and
• counseling and referrals for families.

People who may be agitated, wander, or have problems of incontinence are welcome.

Alzheimer’s Association of the Greater San Francisco Bay Area

Services include:

• information,
• referrals to service agencies and family support groups, and
• a network for caregivers.

Family Caregiver Alliance

Services include:

• temporary care so families can have a break (respite care),
• classes that teach how to lessen frustration and burnout for caregivers, and
• legal help.

American Cancer Society

Services include:

• information and education (including a library of videos and printed materials),
• help with rehabilitation equipment,
• transportation,
• support groups for survivors of prostate cancer, mastectomy, lumpectomy and laryngectomy,
• some home-care, and
• a "wig-bank".

American Diabetes Association

American Diabetes Association’s Northern California Chapter

American Heart Association

American Heart Association-Northern California

Educational materials on:

• heart diseases,
• stroke prevention, and
• nutrition.

American Lung Association

National and statewide organizations working to prevent lung disease and promote lung health.

Breathe California

Breathe California of the Bay Area fights lung disease in all its forms and works with its communities to protect lung health. Services include:

• breathing improvement training for people with COPD,
• training in how to stop smoking,
• a special program for people with asthma, and
• educational materials.

National Multiple Sclerosis Society

National Multiple Sclerosis Society-Northern California Chapter

Services include:

• referrals to community resources,
• education,
• counseling,
• Self Service groups,
• temporary care so families can have a break (respite care), and
• equipment loans.

Parkinson's Foundation

Provides information and resources for Parkinson's Disease

Intermediate Care Facilities (ICFs)

ICFs are licensed by the: Department of Health Services

Intermediate Care Facilities (ICFs) have more supervision and some nursing care. Contact the Dept. of Health Services Licensing and Certification for a list of ICFs. And, contact them if you have a complaint about an ICF, SNF (skilled Nursing Facility), or any licensed medical institution.

Residential Care Home (RCH) Facilities

RCHs are licensed by the: State Department of Social Services 

People in Residential Care Home (RCH) facilities get:

• a room,
• meals,
• supervised self-care, and
• supervised taking of medications.

They do not offer professional nursing care. Contact the State Dept. of Social Services for a list of licensed facilities. And, call them to report any problems in an RCH.

Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNF)

SNFs are licensed by the: Department of Health Services

Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs) have:

• professional nursing care,
• physical and occupational therapy and
• other treatment as prescribed by a physician.

Community Housing Developers
255 North Market St., Ste. 290
San Jose, CA 95110
Tel: (408) 279-7677 
Website:  www.communityhousingsv.org 

Apartments for low-income people who qualify, including seniors and physically challenged people

Community Solutions
9015 Murray Ave., #100 Gilroy, CA 95020
(408) 842-7138 

16264 Church St. #103 Morgan Hill, CA 95037(408) 779-2113 

5671 Santa Teresa Blvd., #s 202, 203 San Jose, CA 95123(408) 225-9163 

Website:  www.communitysolutions.org 

Supportive housing services for mentally ill adults. Sober living environments.

Housing Authority of the County of Santa Clara 505 West Julian Street San Jose, CA 95110
Tel: (408) 275-8770 
TDD: (408) 993-3041

Website:  www.hacsc.org/ 

Services for qualified, low-income seniors and people with disabilities. Funded by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Housing for Independent People (HIP)

Accessible, low cost housing. Qualifying persons include:

• adults with physical, mental and/or developmental disabilities
• low-income seniors
• people with HIV/AIDS and
• persons with very low income

Momentum for Mental Health
2001 The Alameda San Jose, CA 95126-1136
Tel: (408) 261-7777 
Website:  www.momentumformentalhealth.org 

Temporary housing and help finding permanent housing for mentally ill people.

Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, Rehabilitation Center

See  information above . (Ask for a Social Worker at Valley Medical Center.)

Provides training in independent living skills for clients leaving hospital care

Health Trust

Non-medical homemaker and personal care services. These services are for physically weak people and people with physical disabilities. Services include:

• Meals on Wheels (hot meals delivered to the home)
• Community Wellness: health care professionals provide immunizations, health screenings and wellness training.
• School based health clinics
• Family Health Insurance.

Sutter Health-

Home Health and Hospice Care

Provides comfort and support right to your home, whether at a private house, assisted living facility, nursing home or hospice unit.

In-Home Supportive Services
(Social Services Agency, Santa Clara County)

County Department of Aging and Adult Services

Services to help the elderly and people with disabilities stay at home. They include:

• help around the house (cooking, laundry, cleaning)
• shopping
• help with dressing, bathing, and other non-medical personal services

Any person who is blind, disabled, or older than 65 and has low income is eligible. If your income is higher, you may be able to get services. But, you may have to pay part of the cost.

County Senior Nutrition Program Tel: (408) 755-7680

Services for people over 60 years old (and their spouses). Provides:

• meals planned by dietitians, including ethnic meals
• senior day care programs
• Meals-on-Wheels program

Pathways Health

Provides treatment or assistance to a recuperating, chronically ill, or disabled person in the home. Home health care also includes specialized programs for prevention and health maintenance and can be provided on a short-term and long-term basis.

Silicon Valley Independent Living Center (SVILC)

Provides free services to all persons with disabilities of all ages who seek services to help further their independence in Santa Clara County.

Avenidas  (Re-Inventing Aging)
450 Bryant Street Palo Alto, CA 94301
Tel: (650) 289-5400

Door to Door program provides referrals to house cleaning, handyman and other in-home services.

Alta Housing

Sobrato Center for Nonprofits
3460 West Bayshore Rd. Suite #104
Palo Alto, CA 94303

Tel: (650) 321.9709

Housing and information/referral services for low- and medium-income families, people with disabilities and seniors in Palo Alto.

Rebuilding Together Silicon Valley
Tel: (408) 578-9519 

Free services for low-income senior homeowners who qualify. Services include:

• electrical,
• plumbing,
• painting and
• greater-accessibility work.

Work is done in April and October. A year-round program does repairs that improve accessibility and mobility within the home.

Turn your application as early as possible. They are considered on a first come-first served basis.

American Cancer Society
Tel: (408) 879-1032 

Drives some cancer patients to medical appointments. 24-hour service, Monday through Sunday (free of charge).

Community Services Agency of Mountain View and Los Altos
Tel: (650) 968-0836 

Low-cost transportation for the elderly and people with disabilities in Mountain View, Los Altos and Los Altos Hills. Call to see if you qualify and to set up an appointment. Ask for the senior department.

El Camino Health Care System (Roadrunners) Tel: (650) 940-7016 

Website:  www.elcaminohospital.org 

Transportation to El Camino Hospital from anywhere 10 miles away or less.

Heart of the Valley
Tel: (408) 241-1571

Website:  www.servicesforseniors.org/

Transportation to:

• appointments,
• errands, and
• social events.

Volunteers stay with clients during medical appointments. Services are for seniors (59 and older) in Santa Clara, West San Jose, Cupertino, Saratoga, Sunnyvale, Los Gatos, Campbell and Monte Sereno. There are no financial eligibility requirements. But, they cannot transport people in wheelchairs or people who need walkers or canes.

Japanese American Community Senior Services (Yu-ai-kai)
Tel: (408) 294-2505 

Volunteers give very limited transportation help. They can take seniors in San Jose to medical appointments. And, they can help translate to and from Japanese.

Outreach
926 Rock Ave. Suite 10 San Jose, CA 95131 Tel: (408) 436-2865  (San Jose), or
(800) 400-6222  (South County)

Provides pre-schedule transportation to medical appointments and limited shopping for people who qualify under the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA). Outreach serves all of Santa Clara County. It is the cities' Consolidated Para-transit Service Project.

VTA (Bus and Light Rail) ADA Transportation

Information on VTA bus and light rail services accessible to individuals with disabilities.

California State Department of Rehabilitation

Helps people with disabilities get a job and keep it. They want to help people live independently. Services include:

• diagnostic and testing services for people with physical and mental impairments (like alcoholism and drug dependence),
• counseling,
• job training and placement, and
• tools, supplies and licenses.

You can get help at several places in the county. But first, you have to fill out and hand in an application. To get an application, go to the  Dept. of Rehabilitation website .

CalJOBS

Job testing and placement services. Services and computers with job listings are provided at several locations in the county.

Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County: Focus for Work

Helps adults with chronic mental illness get back to work. A referral from a mental health provider is needed.

Center for Employment Training (CET)

Job training and placement services for low-income people. On Tuesdays and Thursdays there is an orientation in English. On Wednesdays, it is in Spanish.

MetroEd-Silicon Valley Adult Education

Training to teach entry-level job skills or improve skills you already have. Call or read the information on the websites to see if you qualify. (Students and adults must reside within one of the six school districts.)

Goodwill SV-New Opportunity Work Program

Services include:

• some on-the-job training
• help finding and getting a job

A division of Goodwill of Silicon Valley

Momentum for Mental Health - Employment Services

Provides career opportunities for people with mental disabilities and helps find employment in the community. You can get on-the-job training and help finding a job in the community.

NOVAworks

Career Services

They provide the workforce of San Mateo and northern Santa Clara counties with career guidance, training resources and access to local job opportunities - free of charge.

Sacred Heart Community Center Employment Services Program

Helps with resume preparation, interview preparation, computer training skills and more. Free orientations to employment services in English and Spanish.

Work2Future

Helps job seekers get the skills and training they need to find a job. Helps young people enter the workforce with skills training and job search assistance.

West Valley Career Service

You may call to make an appointment to meet with a career advisor.