For more than 26 years, California Autism Foundation has been proud to be a model for other developmental disabilities providers throughout the state. Through our array of programs and services, we remain committed to addressing people with autism and other developmental disabilities every need.

Our Vision: California Autism Foundation's vision is to offer a spectrum of services that meet the needs of people with developmental disabilities. We take a holistic approach with an understanding that everyone deserves to live in a real home, have a real career path and have an equal opportunity to participate in today's economy. People with developmental disabilities should share the same quality of life.

Program Philosophy: The California Autism Foundation philosophy is to utilize behavior analysis techniques, express the importance of diet and exercise, maximize opportunities in community activity programs and minimize medication usage in our licensed programs.

Agency History: The California Autism Foundation began in October 1982, when six friends met around a dining room table to create a home in the community for the foster son of John Clay, founder of the California Autism Foundation. Severely handicapped with autism, 18-year-old Kenny lived at Napa State Hospital, where John was a social worker. Kenny had very little speech, severe behavior problems, and almost no family contact. John was told that if he wanted Kenny to live in the community he would have to start a program himself.

With $30,000 in borrowed funds, the first A Better Chance home opened in August 1983 in San Rafael, California with six young men who were previously thought to be unable to live in the community. The program was named "A Better Chance" (ABC) in recognition of the fact that no outcomes could be guaranteed, but that the residents would have a better opportunity for success if they live in a genuinely therapeutic environment. Emphasizing consumer empowerment through the development of communication skills, positive programming, and respect for the individual, the experiment was very successful. Kenny and five housemates still live at ABC I, enjoying an active and productive life.

In 1986, the Regional Center of the East Bay asked CAF to open a second home, and subsequently the Foundation coninued to expand and operate several residential homes. Today, CAF provides three licensed homes serving adults with developmental disabilities in Contra Costa county.

Beyond residential care, the CAF family has grown to include a unique array of services offering A Better Chance for over 250 families:

• A Better Chance School, a progressive K-12 nonpublic school for students who have been unable to thrive in public schools.

• A Better Chance Richmond Day Program, providing community and site-based vocational development and lifelong learning.

• ABC Transportation, providing quality transportation service for behaviorally challenged consumers.

• ABC Industries, an accredited Work Activity Program, that provides adult education and operates Custom Assembly & Packaging (CAP), a successful business providing packaging, labeling, and assembly services at competitive prices.

• ABC Supported Employment, an accredited service to support disadvantaged workers in finding and keeping employment.

• ABC Supported Living Services, support services in consumers' own homes.

CAF Today: In 2008, a new era began at the California Autism Foundation, with the hire of a new Chief Executive Officer, John Visbal. John implemented a restructuring and reorganization plan with a renewed focus on CAF's mission to provide to people with autism and other developmental disabilities the best possible opportunities for lifetime support, training and assistance in helping them reach their highest potential for independence, productivity, and fulfillment. California Autism Foundation is proud to implement a positive team management approach, employ motivated staff, and maintain a dedicated focus on the consumers that we serve.