Group Homes for Children and Youth With Disabilities

Hope House provides residential treatment designed to address the special needs of intellectually and multiple-handicapped children and adults, age six to 76, who live in Los Angeles County. The program offers a home environments in 12 different residential settings. Clients receive care and nurturing as well as therapy and education which enable them to function at their maximum level. Residents have a functional level of moderate to profound intellectual disability as well as additional mental and/or physical disabilities which may result from cerebral palsy, Down's syndrome, autism, rubella syndrome or general brain damage. There are no geographic restrictions.

Each youngster receives a medical and psychological examination prior to admittance; in some cases, standard tests are adapted to meet the special needs of multiple-handicapped children. Residents attend daytime special education classes at six public schools in the area; transportation is provided by the school districts. Residents receive training in self-help skills each morning prior to leaving for school; after school they receive individualized speech therapy, physical therapy, and/or psychotherapy, depending upon individual need. All residents and staff are taught American Sign Language.