By Sadie Hess, CEO of Compass
This is a season of gratitude, and at Compass, we’re thankful for the diverse services we offer for adults with disabilities. We’re especially grateful for the chance to expand our support through Coordinated Family Supports (CFS). While our focus remains on empowering adults with disabilities, we now have the opportunity to extend this care to the entire family living with them. With CFS, individuals can safely stay in their own homes while receiving the support they need.
Through this program, we’re making a practical difference by ensuring our clients access the benefits available to them and equipping their homes with the right assistive devices. For those requiring additional medical or behavioral support, we collaborate on tailored service plans. We’re also opening doors for individuals to engage in community events and activities that were previously out of reach, helping them and their families thrive at home.
This is also a wonderful opportunity to serve individuals whose first language is not English. Whether a family speaks Spanish, Mandarin, Arabic, ASL, or another language, we’re learning to be culturally aware, sensitive, and supportive. Our other services are already very person-centered, and with CFS, we’re taking an even more holistic approach to support the entire family.
I’m also thrilled about the synergy we’re seeing among SLS, ILS, and CFS. We’re empowering people to live where they most want to be. Whether they’re ready to be independent or prefer the comfort of their family home, we’re here to support their journey. This expanded continuum of care allows individuals to choose what’s best for them and transition between programs as needed.
It’s a joy to introduce the Director of our CFS Program, Joshua Flom. With his extensive experience in SLS and ILS, Joshua is uniquely prepared to lead CFS with a comprehensive and family-focused approach. His knowledge and dedication make him a natural fit for this role. I recently had the pleasure of asking Josh a few questions about how CFS is shaping up so far.
In what ways are you seeing the CFS program benefit the clients we are serving?
The CFS program is greatly benefiting clients by providing a more personalized and family-centered approach to support. They are truly and finally getting the help they qualify for. Essentially, we are helping clients build independence and life skills while remaining closely connected to their families and supporting their home culture. Through regular guidance and support from CFS Specialists, clients are developing routines, improving their communication, learning to access community resources, and gaining confidence in daily tasks. The family-centered focus ensures that clients are supported collaboratively, addressing not only the individual’s needs but also growing stronger family dynamics, because family members can direct focus to improving their own environment and self-care.
Where is the greatest area of need within CFS services?
Honestly, this need reaches the entire state, as currently this program is only serving 4% of those that qualify for services in the state of California. Additionally, there is an easy 100,000 individuals classified as underserved due to so many factors, things like race or ethnicity. There is also a significant need for individualized plans that address specific challenges, such as language or communication barriers.
How do you feel like families have responded so far to this service?
Families have consistently expressed positive feedback about the CFS program, appreciating its personalized, collaborative approach and practical support in navigating complex systems like healthcare and safety. They feel included in decision-making, and many have seen significant improvements in their loved ones’ independence, communication, and overall well-being. One family member stated, “You literally added 4 years to my life, knowing I have peace of mind that my son’s needs are met and will be met how I want them when I am no longer able to provide that needed support.”
Can you share with me a couple of stories about how CFS has worked well for clients and their families?
Several families have reported significant improvements in their loved ones’ lives through the CFS program. For example, a family in Shasta County has seen remarkable growth in their loved one’s independent living skills, while another in Contra Costa County has been thrilled by their youngest son’s increased community engagement. In Siskiyou, technological support has led to unprecedented success, and in Trinity County, a specialist’s assistance has helped a parent find more balance and relief in daily life. One client who previously struggled with social anxiety now actively participates in community events and daily routines, thanks to a structured plan developed by a CFS Specialist. Another family, Spanish Speaking only, and previously overwhelmed by medical appointments and paperwork, now has an evolving organized system in place, empowering the client and family to engage more in their own healthcare.
What is your vision specifically for the future of the CFS program over the next 2 years?
My vision for the next two years is to thoughtfully expand the reach of the CFS program, ensuring more clients and families across California can access the comprehensive support they need. By fostering deeper collaboration between CFS Specialists and other service providers, we can offer a more holistic approach that considers every aspect of a client’s well-being—whether it’s enhancing communication, building independent living skills, or planning for long-term transitions.
A significant part of this vision includes advocating for the expansion of resources at regional centers. I believe that by working together, we can encourage the state to allocate more resources to support families and individuals across all counties. Sharing the successes of CFS, such as how our services help clients achieve greater independence and support family stability, can be a powerful tool to inspire this change. In doing so, we can ensure that regional centers are equipped to serve more clients and develop services tailored to their unique needs.
Ultimately, my hope is to position CFS as a model for integrated, person-centered care that not only improves individual outcomes but also strengthens families and creates a more supportive system. Through this relational approach, we can create lasting, positive changes that benefit clients, their families, and the broader developmental services community across California.
What is one thing you enjoy most about directing this program?
What I enjoy most about being able to influence this program is we combined three of my favorite things in life: the population of people we serve, families, and the state of California. I am all in!
I think Josh summed it up well with the phrase ‘I am all in!”
Here at Compass, we are all in, all in to serve the underserved. All in to provide services that enrich the lives of people and help them achieve dreams.