Company: Life Services Alternatives
Company Description: Life Services Alternatives (LSA) was founded in 2002 by parents wishing to establish a place for their adult children with developmental disabilities to live. LSA's mission is to provide exceptional community living and programs for adults with developmental disabilities. Since 2002 LSA has grown to 15 homes in Santa Clara County.
Nomination Category: Thought Leadership Categories
Nomination Sub Category: Thought Leadership Campaign of the Year - Government or Non-Profit
 Nomination Title: Life Services Alternatives
- If you are providing written answers to the questions for this category, you must answer this first question: Specify the date on which this campaign or program was launched:
Life Services Alternatives (LSA) is a nonprofit organization based in Campbell, CA that provides community living, as well as a day program, for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). LSA was established in 2002 by a group of parents who longed for the creation of a place for their adult children to live independently within the community. By providing quality housing and care, LSA allows adults with IDD - including those with enduring medical needs - to receive life-long services while living in neighborhood homes, not an institution. Over the past two decades, LSA has grown to serve over 90 adults with IDD across four cities within Santa Clara County. Operating 15 licensed care facilities, LSA employs over 250 individuals and has an annual revenue of less than $20 million. LSA has been led by Executive Director, Dana Hooper, since 2007, as well as a Board of 18 professionals throughout Silicon Valley. LSA has long been a committed advocate and thought leader within the IDD community and nonprofit sector, fighting for the rights of all individuals. The campaigns mentioned below were launched between 2021 and present.
- Which will you submit for this nomination, a video of up to five (5) minutes in length about the nominated campaign or program, OR written answers to the questions for this category? CHOOSE ONE:
Written answers to the questions
- If you are submitting a video of up to five (5) minutes in length, provide the URL of the nominated video here, OR attach it to your entry via the "Add Attachments, Videos, or Links to This Entry" link above, through which you may also upload a copy of your video.
- If you are providing written answers to the questions for this category, you must answer this second question: Describe the genesis of the nominated campaign or program: the reasons it was initiated, the challenges it was created to address, the problems it was developed to solve, etc. (up to 250 words):
Total 245 words used.
In 2021, LSA hosted a webinar series, I/DD Topics & Trends, in which professionals within the I/DD community spoke on trending topics regarding services and resources for individuals with I/DD. Due to its overwhelming success, LSA hosted the series again in 2022 as well as the spring of 2023. Through this series, LSA has connected almost 450 new individuals with nationwide resources and support.
Prior to COVID-19, LSA started an initiative called the Art of Inclusion, a collaboration between LSA clients, a local art museum, and students from a nearby high school. After a pandemic related hiatus, LSA partnered with the Magical Bridge Foundation in 2022 to revive the in-person art collaboration. LSA residents and staff worked with local high schoolers once again to create lasting artwork for the Magical Bridge playground in Sunnyvale, CA. This collaboration between neurodivergent and neurotypical individuals represents the importance of inclusion and accessibility to empower people of all ages and abilities.
Since its inception, LSA has advocated for the rights of the I/DD population at both the local and state levels. In 2021, LSA published an op-ed encouraging Governor Newsom to adequately fund the I/DD services system which has historically been underserved. In 2022, Governor Newsom accepted a state budget that increased funding for this population’s services and caregiver wages. LSA subsequently published a second op-ed commending the Governor and empowering other states to reflect on the quality of systems they have in place to support their I/DD population.
- If you are providing written answers to the questions for this category, you must answer this third question: Describe the development of the campaign or program: the planning process, the goal setting, the subject and content development, the scheduling, etc. (up to 250 words):
Total 107 words used.
The first I/DD Topics & Trends series in 2021 required immense planning from outreach to potential speakers, creating series branding, and researching relevant topics to the I/DD community. This series was developed as a way to give back to those who support us by providing amazing free resources on a national level.
Although the first ever Art of Inclusion was planned in 2019, the 2022 Art of Inclusion involved planning for COVID-19 safety precautions. LSA residents are very vulnerable to the risks of COVID-19 and we needed to ensure that residents, staff, and volunteers could create art in an outdoor space while maintaing safety precautions and comfort.
- If you are providing written answers to the questions for this category, you must answer this fourth question: Outline the activities and concrete results of this campaign or program since the beginning of January 2021. Even if your initiative started before January 2021, limit your response to activities and results since the beginning of January 2021 only (up to 250 words):
Total 228 words used.
Due to the high cost of living in Santa Clara County and ensuing lack of staffing, dozens of service providers like LSA have been forced to close their doors since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. While LSA has been no exception to these same challenges, the organization has worked relentlessly to continue providing exceptional services. In December 2021, LSA acquired the Hatikvah House, a Jewish-oriented six-bedroom residential care home. As a tiny operation, Hatikvah was in danger of closing due to the current worker shortage. The acquisition of Hatikvah allowed LSA to continue its mission of expanding capacity while so many of its nonprofit counterparts have closed their doors. LSA just recently purchased its 16th home which will create lifelong homes for an additional five adults with I/DD.
The I/DD Topics & Trends webinar series was the first of its kind within the I/DD housing industry and continues to ease the information search as well as provide families with knowledge and peace of mind that there is a place for their child in the community. Similarly, the 2022 Art of Inclusion was a one-of-a-kind collaboration between two like-minded organizations. Introducing unique initiatives such as these to the I/DD community has deepened LSA’s efforts to provide knowledge and support. LSA is a fierce advocate for people with developmental disabilities to live life to the fullest in their community.
- You have the option to reference here any attachments of supporting materials throughout this nomination and how they provide evidence of the claims you have made in this nomination (up to 250 words):
Total 71 words used.
Attached are two op-eds regarding the California state budget as well as a press release from LSA’s 2022 Art of Inclusion. Linked below is a video that provides more insight into LSA’s acquisition of the Hatikvah home, as well as webpages for all three of LSA’s I/DD Topics and Trends webinar series’.
Links:
2021 I/DD Topics & Trends
2022 I/DD Topics & Trends
2023 I/DD Topics & Trends
Hatikvah Home Re-Opening
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