Services We Provide

CA START 

To respond to the growing needs of individuals with both an intellectual/developmental disability and a mental health condition, Harbor Regional Center has partnered with YAI for CA START services. YAI supports people of all ages who are experiencing crisis and often work in partnership with the individual, their families and circles of support, and others in the community.

What is START?

The Systemic, Therapeutic, Assessment, Resources and Treatment (START) Model provides mental health crisis support and prevention to people with developmental disabilities and mental/behavioral health needs. Services include crisis planning, crisis response, education, team collaboration, consultation, care management, and therapeutic coaching. All services are person-centered and assess the individual based on their environment and individual need. The START program aims to build capacity through relationships, support families and organizations, and assist individuals in enhancing their overall quality of life.

Who is Eligible for CA START?

CA START services are available for people ages 6 and over who have a documented developmental disability or co-occurring mental/behavioral health need and are receiving regional center services.

Interested in these services?

Please speak to your regional center service coordinator for more information about how to be referred to CA START.

CA START Resources 

National Center for Start Services DDS Services – START Program YAI

Harbor Regional Center (Harbor) has a Parent Mentor Program to support parents and caregivers in navigating systems and programs that serve individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities, such as In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Medi-Cal, etc. The Parent Mentor can assist by providing step-by-step assistance with accessing services and support. 

If you are interested and would like to be referred to the program, please contact your Service Coordinator.

Parent Mentor Drop-In Clinics

Have a Question? Need Assistance?

Harbor Regional Center (Harbor) Parent Mentors will be available in your community to assist individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities and family members with applications to various programs, answer questions about the regional center or generic services (a service that is provided by a community organization/program, such as In Home Supportive Services or Medi-Cal and CalFresh), help identify resources, and much more!

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Meet Your Peer Advocate, Tim’an Ford!

My name is Tim’an Ford, and I’m your new Peer Advocate at Harbor Regional Center. I’ve been receiving services from Harbor Regional Center (Harbor) since 2016, and through Harbor, I was able to enter the workforce with a full-time job at Sketchers USA. Following that, I returned to university in the fall of 2019 and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology from UC Santa Cruz in 2021. That means I studied human culture and history with aspirations of becoming an archeologist, as well as contributing to the foundation of a multicultural community with access to vital resources for future generations to use in an ever-changing world. Having joined the ranks of Harbor, I feel I’m one step closer to accomplishing that goal.

I’m here to be a source of support for anyone receiving services from Harbor, as well as their families. I would like to hear about your goals, can help resolve any concerns you might have; I want to be a reliable advocate for individuals receiving our services! Furthermore, I will be an active participant in community events and advisory committee meetings with our partnership programs. If you see me at an event, I invite you to say hello and strike up a conversation!

As a Peer Advocate, the most important thing is helping individuals with a developmental disability find their voice and access the tools necessary to live healthy, sustainable lives as community members. Whether it’s pursuing higher education, accessing the workforce, or even just finding friends with common interests, I’m here to support you!

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Social Recreation Vendors for Harbor Regional Center

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