Community Catalysts California is a Not-For-Profit 501(c) (3) corporation committed to the success of the individuals we serve. Community Catalysts California (CCC) provides services and advocacy for people with disabilities and Veterans. We serve more than 1400 clients annually throughout the state ranging in age from 18 to 83 years. Our fundamental goal is to help people achieve a higher quality of life. We provide a continuum of services ranging from employment services, living services to crisis services for clients. Most of our services are provided on a one-to-one basis in the community: at the job and in the home. You will find us involved in such diverse areas as mental health support, recreation, client advocacy, education, health care support, housing, and employment. We assist our clients to be productive citizens by providing a living and work environment where they feel challenged, respected, and accountable as they strive to meet the demands of life. We have a staff of approximately 325 employees, all who play a vital role in the organization. Although our individual and professional experience is wide, the common thread throughout all of our services is our aim to transform lives. Whether on an individual or group basis, we are committed to creating the best outcomes possible for our clients. We serve every client as an individual with unique needs and aspirations. Our case management team works alongside each client to identify needs, develop a written plan, remove barriers, teach specific skills and follow-up to assure progress and success.

Vision

To be the most resourceful and impactful social service organization in building a world of inclusion.

Mission

To create limitless pathways for people to belong where they:
live | work | learn | play

Values

People

  • CCC is a place where people are valued and have a ‘home’
  • We value and respect all people
  • We are a diverse organization with diverse employees and clients, and we value diversity
  • We are dedicated to collaborating with people of all backgrounds
  • Respectful, understanding, collaborative
  • Inclusive and Diverse

Integrity

  • High level of integrity in all we do
  • Character
  • Trust
  • A guiding principle that helps staff know what to do even when it is not within our extensive organizational procedures
  • What’s required in working at the client level

Innovation

  • Forward thinking, proactive, an organization seeking opportunities, always growing, not stagnant
  • Looking for better and different ways to do business
  • Seeking opportunities to advance the organization
  • Growth and adaptation in a continually changing environment
  • Resourcefulness

Compassion

  • Caring
  • Respectful
  • Providing a sense of belonging
  • Empathy and heart

Fun

  • We enjoy our work, have an enjoyable work environment
  • We value having a good time while we work
  • Integrate enjoyment in everything we do

History

Community Catalysts California began its existence as an outgrowth of the Escondido Special Education Department. Its first Executive Director was a professor at San Diego State University. In its early years San Diego State University and the Escondido School System provided an unpaid Research and Development department. A group of concerned parents and individuals representing the schools wanted to talk and plan for the future of students graduating from their programs. The North County Career Development Program (later to become Client Development Programs: CDP and then Community Catalysts of California in 2001) was incorporated as a nonprofit company in July of 1983 and its original purpose was to help individuals exiting from high school programs find meaningful work. Since then we have grown to serve communities throughout California. Our primary sources of funding have been from the Regional Centers for people with disabilities, to provide independent, supported living, day program, transportation, and crisis programs and the State Department of Rehabilitation to provide vocational programs. In 2011, we began receiving funding from the Department of Veteran Affairs to provide services to Veteran families who are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of becoming homeless. In the fall of 1989, Career Development became the first exclusively community-based program in California to be nationally accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (C.A.R.F.). A few highlights within our organizational development after 1983 include:

1989 Service expansion into Fresno and Merced counties with Employment and Independent Living Services.
1994 Service expansion into Stanislaus, San Joaquin, Tuolumne and Calaveras counties. The establishment of Supported Living, Independent Living, and the Rapid Emergency Services Team (R.E.S.T.). Concurrently, the development of a Drop-in Day Center in Merced, CA for individuals with Mental Health diagnosis.
1996 Development of our Individualized Transportation Program Services (TRIPS).
1998 Development of our first Crisis Residential Facility named the Longview House in Stockton, CA.
1999 Service expansion into Santa Clara, Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Benito counties with Independent Living Services. Service expansion into Coalinga, CA with a community based day Program. Broadened types of employment services offered in Central and Southern California to include External Situational Services.
2001 Service expansion into Lake and Mendocino counties. Moved and renamed the Longview House in Stockton, CA to the HYDE House. Development of community based Social and Recreational Program Services in Fresno and Merced counties.
2004 Service expansion into Contra Costa and Alameda counties with Supported Living services.
2006 Development of PLUM House, our second Adult Residential Facility in Ukiah, CA.
2008 Development of PACE House, our third step-away Adult Residential Facility in Stockton, CA. Development of Coffee Creations Cart a client managed micro-business enterprise in San Diego.
2009 Service expansion into Sacramento county with a crisis Adult Residential Facility in Elk Grove, CA. Developed first Supported Living Residential Home in Visalia, CA named Encina House.
2010 Established our first military initiative and began our Veterans Community Services Division with a grant from SAMHSA, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services providing intensive behavioral case management services for Veterans.
2011 Secured grant from the Department of Veteran Affairs to provide Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) Program under our Veterans Community Services Division.
2015 Secured a second grant from the Department of Veteran Affairs to expand our SSVF Program to six locations serving 750 Veteran families in San Diego, Imperial Valley and Riverside counties.

2019 Secured a second grant from the Department of Veteran Affairs to expand our SSVF Program to serve a total of 750 Veteran families in San Diego and Imperial Valley counties. SSVF temporary financial aid now includes a shallow subsidy option for Veteran families.

2017 Secured a  grant from the Department of Labor to provide Homeless Veterans’ Reintegration Program (HVRP) services under our Veterans Community Services Division in San Diego County.  The purpose of HVRP is to assist in reintegrating homeless veterans into meaningful employment.

We remain committed to independence and respect for all individuals in our society. The Board of Directors and staff of Community Catalysts California continue to work toward providing a quality service in the most effective and efficient manner possible with optimism for the future of the company. We are always looking for new ways to help people!

Quality Assurance

The management and staff of Community Catalysts California share the responsibility for service quality. Our service model is designed to ensure that all procedures meet established regulatory requirements. The goal of our Quality Assurance Program is to ensure high quality client services. Thus, we continually seek our stakeholder’s feedback and use the data collected to make rational, confident, cost-effective decisions that are focused on the best interest of our clients. Our overall goal is to provide services which enhance their quality of life.

Additionally, we recognize the importance of meeting internationally recognized standards of best business practices. We accomplish this by having all our vocational services and Veterans Community Services accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). CARF is a private, non-profit organization that promotes quality rehabilitation services. Community Catalysts California’s Vocational and Veterans Community Services/SSVF programs throughout in Southern California have been CARF-accredited.

CARF_GoldSeal

Client Advisory Committee

Client Advisory Committees are groups which assure clients have a voice in decisions being made within the organization as well as are able to actively participate in educational and social events in their communities. Community Catalysts California receives NO funding for this program. Many of the people who support and provide assistance to the clients through this program are employees who donate their personal time. During the year clients may participate in variety activities along with volunteers, family and/or friends.

Expected Client Outcomes:

  • Increased self-advocacy skills
  • Increased educational activities with peers in community
  • Increased socialization with peers in community
  • Increases involvement in organizing and attending activities in the community
  • Participation in Community Catalysts California by providing feedback to Board on services being provided or needed