Program areas at ECF
Kayne eras center - ecf's kayne eras center operates a k-12 nonpublic school that provides special education services for students with learning, emotional and developmental disabilities. Kecs educational approach includes intensive specialized programming and innovative educational strategies to meet the unique needs of each child and his or her family. Each year ecf also provides an array of therapeutic services, including comprehensive mental health services, to approximately 200 at risk youth (and their families) to improve their well being and help them succeed in school and community settings.
Residential services program - ecf's residential services program provides a variety of living arrangements coupled with in-home living skills training and support services for 60 participants, the majority of whom have a diagnosis of mild to moderate intellectual disability. In addition to providing safe and comfortable housing at six locations in los angeles county, the primary goal of the program is to foster the highest level of independence through full and proactive home and community involvement.
Early start program - ecf's early start program provides home and center-based early intervention and educational services for families who have children with developmental delays or disabilities. Each year the program serves more than 1,000 children aged birth to three who may be challenged with autism, down syndrome, cerebral palsy, intellectual disabilities, speech and language impairments, traumatic brain injuries, or other disabilities/delays. From sites in arleta and south los angeles, early start provides early childhood education services in community center settings and via home visits. Both offer opportunities to enhance child development while also providing critical support and assistance to approximately 1,000 family members annually.
Community fusion - the community fusion program serves adults who have moderate to profound developmental disabilities. Approximately 50% have a high need for assistance with their daily living activities. The full-day community fusion program offers participants training in self-help, aiming to increase their vocational, recreational, and social skills. Clients also participate in health and fitness activities, which are specifically geared to aging adults and senior citizens with special needs. Activities include experiences such as trips to the grocery store, community art fairs, the park, and participation in a range of volunteer opportunities.exceptional community connections - Exceptional community connections provide clients with opportunities to participate in meaningful community-based services and volunteer activities. Partnerships and collaborative projects are in place with businesses and community service organizations in inglewood, culver city and west los angeles, where clients play a valued role while developing social skills and relationships with individuals and community-based organizations.art centers - with studios in inglewood, san pedro, whittier and south los angeles, the art centers program encourages, assists and supports the maximum personal artistic development for adults with developmental disabilities. The art center program is nationally recognized for its leadership in demonstrating that individuals with developmental disabilities can often produce fine art. Art produced by ecf adult artists is showcased at our studios as well as juried art shows and is also available for purchase at www.artecf.org. Artists receive a 50%commission from sales of their work. 50% goes back to ecf art centers to help fund services for ecf artists.exceptional packaging solutions - at a work activity site in inglewood, California, adults learn good work habits and appropriate social skills while meeting governmental and private contract requirements for packaging, assembly and rework. The program provides facility based vocational training and paid work to improve earning potential and independent functioning of persons with developmental disabilities and to promote transition to community employment settings.accelerated preparation program - the accelerated preparation program expedites the time it takes adults with lower-than-average work productivity levels to prepare for more advanced employment training by: - teaching the work, life and soft skills needed to become employable. - assessing participant strengths and matching training to their interests. - providing customized instruction and training materials for each individual. - offering work experience that pays minimum wage while providing support and training around work habits, behaviors and skills.participants complete the program with a broader set of skills and increased self-motivation to accelerate their transition into work readiness classes or the Exceptional training academy.exceptional employment solutions - Exceptional employment solutions supports adults along each step of their pathway to employment. The organization staff work to help participants retain and thrive in community-based employment, offering personalized support that helps each participant find a job that matches their individual abilities and goals, including: - determining employment preferences, strengths, and transportation - job search structuring and strategies - interview preparation and practice - coordinating services with support network - employment transition coaching and on-site job trainingindividualized pathways program - the individualized pathways program provides in-depth transitional plans for adults, particularly young adults, to help them access community resources and gain more training and skill development to enter the job market or engage in community volunteering.work readiness - through instruction and group learning, participants develop the skills needed to conduct a job search and maintain employment, including: understanding different job opportunities, completing applications, writing a resume, interviewing, professional grooming and hygiene, workplace communication, and personal development and growth. Participants who have successfully completed the accelerated preparation program or individuals who are currently participating in the Exceptional training academy or Exceptional packaging solutions may also participate in work readiness classes.exceptional training academy - the Exceptional training academy offers vocational training in computer literacy, culinary arts, janitorial services, retail sales and warehouse operations. Upon successful completion of their training, participants will have learned the skills necessary to help them secure meaningful employment with a community employer.college classroom program - in partnership with educational institutions, the organization provides in-class support to adult students, helping them to complete vocational training courses. The computer numerical control ("cnc") course, a machinists program teaches participants to set up and operate cnc machines to produce complex precision parts and tools by cutting, grinding, and drilling into various types of metals and plastics.