Peer Counseling / Independent
Living Skills Education

• Do you need to talk to someone about issue related to your disability?

• Are you feeling like friends and family don't understand?

• Would you like to develop skills to manage your finances, prepare for work, take care of your home, take charge of your medical treatment, or interact effectively with others?

Our Peer Counseling and Independent Living Skills programs help people with disabilities learn how to manage the day-to-day issues of living with a disability.

Individual Consultation: Talk with us one-to-one about problems you’re having that are related to your disability. The focus is on living with a disability, adjusting to changes, and concentrating on ability.

Family Counseling: Are you and a family member not getting along because of your disability? Bring them with you, and discuss ways to communicate, make decisions, and cooperate with each other.

Support Groups: Support groups give our consumers an opportunity to meet others who share their concerns and to receive valuable information from guest speakers who provide programs or services for persons with disabilities. Topics include:

• Medi-Cal and Medicare

• Fair Housing Rights

• ADA and Civil Rights

• In-Home Support Services (IHSS)

• Self-Defense

• Independent Living Philosophy

• Sexuality

• And much more!

See SECIL Supportive Services for more information on specific support groups.

Independent Living Skills:

• Money Management: Creating a budget to manage financial resources.

• Credit Repair: Communicating with creditors to pay off your bills.

• Personal Grants: Applying for additional services or finances.

• Immigration: Referrals for documentation and benefits.

• Advocacy Referrals: Seeking representation for legal matters.

• Pre-Vocational Counseling: Acquiring job-related training or education.

• Computer Training: Receiving one-on-one computer instruction at our computer classes. See SECIL Supportive Services for more information.

• Renter’s / Homeowners’ Assistance Claims: Applying for benefits to pay your rent or mortgage

• Access Applications and Appeals: Applying for paratransit services.

• Peer Counseling Classes: Acquiring skills to be a peer counselor.

• Regional Centers: Assistance with applications for services.

Emergency Services:

We have an emergency food bank, and we provide emergency transportation assistance. We have also have an Emergency Financial Assistance Fund. These services are for consumers who experience an unexpected loss of income or benefits and have no other options. Consumers using these services will need to provide proof of income and will be asked to explain the reasons why they need the services.