What is Coordinated Family Support?
Coordinated Family Support (CFS) provides individualized support for adults with developmental disabilities who live at home with their family. The program is designed to strengthen the entire family — not just the individual receiving services.
CFS is flexible, family-centered, and personalized to your specific situation. No two families are the same, and neither are the services we provide.
📋 Services authorized through Inland Counties Regional Center (IRC)Most Common Family Needs
Based on real referrals received through IRC, these are the most common reasons families seek CFS services:
1
Benefits Navigation
SSI, IHSS, Medi-Cal, CalFresh applications and renewals
2
Transportation Access
Finding and setting up reliable transportation options
3
Long-Term Planning
Conservatorship, future housing, and aging caregiver concerns
4
Care Coordination
Managing appointments and multiple providers
5
Independence Skills
Daily routines, hygiene, money management
6
Caregiver Support
Respite services and backup caregiving plans
7
Communication Needs
AAC devices, behavioral supports, specialized tools
8
Employment & Community
Job readiness, DOR referrals, social activities
💡 Most families have more than one need at the same time. Open Grace works holistically — supporting the entire family system, not just one issue at a time.
Our 8 Service Areas
Benefits & System Navigation
Most requested service
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- Apply for SSI, Medi-Cal, IHSS, and CalFresh
- Gather documents and complete applications
- Follow up with agencies and track status
- Maintain eligibility — renewals and income reporting
- Advocacy during appointments with agencies
📍 Common Referral Example
Families needing help reapplying for SSI or Medi-Cal after changes in household income, or navigating complex IHSS approval processes for the first time.
Transportation Support
Major barrier for many families
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- Identify transportation programs — paratransit, ADA services
- Assist with applications and scheduling rides
- Train individuals to use transportation safely and independently
- Help with scheduling medical, dental, and therapy appointments
📍 Common Referral Example
Clients unable to travel independently or missing critical medical appointments due to lack of accessible transportation options.
Long-Term Planning
Future care and housing
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- Conservatorship and supported decision-making guidance
- Future housing planning — what happens when caregivers age
- Special Needs Trust and CalABLE education
- Planning for transitions and life changes
📍 Common Referral Example
Families asking "what happens to my loved one when I am no longer able to care for them?" — one of the most common concerns among aging caregivers.
Care Coordination
Managing providers and appointments
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- Coordinate medical, dental, therapy, and specialist appointments
- Act as a liaison between your family and service providers
- Track services and ensure nothing falls through the cracks
- Help manage multiple providers simultaneously
📍 Common Referral Example
Families overwhelmed managing multiple providers, appointments, and paperwork on their own with no central point of coordination.
Independent Living Skills
Daily routines and life skills
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- Daily routines and structure — morning and evening schedules
- Hygiene and self-care skill building
- Money management — shopping, budgeting, counting change
- Building independence step by step at a pace that works
📍 Common Referral Example
Individuals needing structured routines and step-by-step skill building to become more independent at home and in the community.
Caregiver Support & Respite
Supporting the whole family
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- Apply for respite services through Regional Center
- Build backup caregiving plans
- Reduce caregiver burnout by connecting to support resources
- Identify emergency support options
- Navigate routine and out-of-home respite options
📍 Common Referral Example
Families where one parent is the sole caregiver with no backup plan — a significant risk factor that CFS can help address.
Behavioral & Communication Needs
Specialized support
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- Behavioral health referrals — ABA, behavioral consultants
- Communication tools — AAC devices, PECS, assistive technology
- Trauma-informed support coordination
- Caregiver training for behavioral management
- Therapy coordination across providers
📍 Common Referral Example
Non-verbal individuals needing assistive communication systems, and families needing training to support behavioral needs safely at home.
Community Integration & Employment
Independence in the community
▼
- DOR (Department of Rehabilitation) referrals and job search support
- Resume building, job applications, and employment readiness
- Social skills classes and recreational activities
- Community outings — gym, cooking, social events
- Reimbursement assistance for approved activities
📍 Common Referral Example
Individuals wanting to work, make friends, and be part of their community — CFS bridges the gap between desire and action.
Frequently Asked Questions
1
Does CFS provide direct care like a caregiver or aide?
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CFS primarily provides coordination, skill-building, and system navigation — not personal care like bathing or feeding. In some cases, limited direct support may be provided short-term (up to 90 days) while other services are being set up. CFS works alongside services like IHSS, ABA, and others.
2
Does CFS replace IHSS, ABA, or other services I already have?
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No. CFS does not replace or duplicate any existing services. Instead CFS helps you:
- Get approved for services you may not have yet
- Make sure your existing services are working together
- Fill gaps that other services do not cover
3
Can CFS help with transportation to appointments?
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CFS does not typically provide one-time transportation but can help your family find and set up transportation programs, train your loved one to use transit services independently, and assist with scheduling and coordination. Transportation barriers are one of the most common referral reasons — we understand how critical this is.
4
Can CFS come with us to appointments or agency visits?
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Yes. When appropriate, Open Grace Family Coordinators may support your family during appointments by helping explain information, advocating for your loved one, and ensuring your concerns are heard and addressed.
5
Can Open Grace help if our family primarily speaks Spanish?
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Yes. Open Grace provides culturally appropriate, family-centered services and can support families who primarily speak Spanish. Communication with providers and agencies can be facilitated to ensure your family fully understands the services and supports available to you.
6
Who qualifies for CFS services?
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To receive CFS services through Open Grace the individual must:
- Be 18 years of age or older
- Have a developmental disability
- Live at home with family or caregivers
- Be eligible through a Regional Center (such as IRC)
- Have a referral from their IRC Service Coordinator
7
How do I get started with Open Grace?
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Getting started is simple:
- Ask your IRC Service Coordinator about a referral to Open Grace
- Once authorized, Joshua Ellis will personally reach out to your family
- We schedule an intake call at your convenience — no pressure, no rush
- Services begin based on your family's specific needs and IPP authorization
8
Can CFS help with non-verbal individuals or complex needs?
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Yes. Open Grace can help obtain communication tools such as AAC devices and PECS, coordinate specialized services, train caregivers and providers, and provide support tailored to individuals with complex medical or behavioral needs. Every individual deserves support that meets them where they are.
9
What makes Open Grace different from other CFS providers?
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Open Grace takes a whole-family approach. We do not just check a box — we show up, listen, and work alongside your family to navigate complex systems. Our Director Joshua Ellis personally connects with every family we serve. CFS services at Open Grace are used as a bridge, a coordinator, a problem-solver, and a stabilizer for families who need more than just a service provider — they need a partner.
💡 CFS services are individualized. Most families have multiple needs at the same time. Open Grace works holistically to support your entire family system — not just one challenge at a time.
Ready to Get Started?
Ask your IRC Service Coordinator about a referral to Open Grace, or reach out to us directly. We are here whenever your family is ready.
Submit a Referral →📞
Call or Text
(951) 880-4132
✉
joshua.kennedy@opengrace.org