Channel Islands Social Services (CISS) is a family-operated organization located in Ventura County, CA. The organization provides FREE in-home respite care (similar to childcare) in the family's own home and in the local community, as well as Independent Living Services. Eligible families and individuals receive funding from Tri-Counties Regional Center, North Los Angeles Regional Center, or the County of Ventura as Foster Parents or Kinship Families.
We know how stressÂful life can be withÂout supÂport from friends and famÂily. LikeÂwise, all of us need a break from time to time to help us take care of our own needs and to refoÂcus so that we can conÂtinue to be strong for those who need us.
Our comÂmitÂted team of careÂgivers speÂcialÂizes in proÂvidÂing supÂport to a variÂety of famÂiÂlies includÂing those carÂing for peoÂple who have develÂopÂmenÂtal disÂabilÂiÂties (such as but not limÂited to Autism, Down SynÂdrome, CereÂbral Palsy, and intelÂlecÂtual disÂabilÂiÂties), FosÂter ParÂents and KinÂship CareÂgivers of young children.
InspiÂraÂtion for the orgaÂniÂzaÂtion was sparked durÂing the sumÂmer of 2004 when co-founder, Sharon M. FranÂcis, then DirecÂtor of ComÂmuÂnity DevelÂopÂment for Tri-Counties Regional CenÂter, idenÂtiÂfied the unmet needs of chilÂdren with develÂopÂmenÂtal disÂabilÂiÂties livÂing in VenÂtura County with no local option for respite serÂvices. Until then, all agency respite serÂvices had been proÂvided by home health agenÂcies offerÂing CNA, LVN, or RN serÂvices, or from large L.A.-based multi-service comÂpaÂnies.
The CISS AdminÂisÂtraÂtive team is made up of very carÂing and highly expeÂriÂenced proÂfesÂsionÂals who are dedÂiÂcated to helpÂing famÂiÂlies. With hunÂdreds of amazÂing Respite CareÂgivers employed by CISS, the small adminÂisÂtraÂtive team works tireÂlessly to make sure the needs of both famÂiÂlies and Respite CareÂgivers are being met.