Arek Nathanson, CEO, FounderI have been involved with in the field of intellectual/developmental disabilities since my undergraduate fieldwork experience at UCLA with the Clinic for the Behavioral Treatment of Autism in 1992.
After college I worked to provide case management and advocacy in New York City as well as within the California Regional Center system. I have worked for the Lanterman Regional Center, Golden Gate Regional Center, and Regional Center of the East Bay. The majority of my duties included the development of Supported Living Services, ILS and day programming services. This involved working with prospective and current providers of the Regional Centers to understand and follow state regulations and more importantly, clients' rights. After providing over ten years of service within the Regional Center system, I began participatin in the management and operation of Supported Living and Independent Living Skills agencies. I also offer consultation to prospective providers of services to the Regional Center system as well as families and individauls. |
Our Approach to Services |
AIMS Independent Living Skills delivers a sincere and effective service to individuals with intellectual disabilities who wish to live in the community. We serve the counties of Alameda, Contra Costa, San Francisco, Marin, and San Mateo. We believe that there is inherent potential in every individual we serve that may need inspiration or motivation to be sparked. The circle of support comprised of the consumer, the family/conservator, the regional center case manager and our agency help support the individual in drawing a roadmap to living independently, as well as the resiliency and problem solving needed for this endeavor.
AIMS prides itself on clear communication with the above identified support team and collaborative planning provide the dynamic framework to understand an individual's desires and goals. Our instruction is comprised of methods to promote active learning with full participation and involvement of consumers. We never make decisions for consumers about what is best for their lives, rather allowing them to choose based on information provided by our instructors. |