Etta Israel Enhances Special-Needs Programs

Etta Israel, a Los Angeles nonprofit organization founded 20 years ago to provide services for Jewish adults with special needs, is now authorized by Regional Center to provide 24/7 living support.

Last year Etta was approved as a vendor for its Independent Living Services (ILS) and Supported Living Services (SLS) programs, which serve 16 clients across the L.A. area. The additional hours means that Etta now provides a life-skills program designed to support clients in their bids to become active participants in the local Jewish community. The program allows them to live independently with the necessary services and support mechanisms.

SLS services range from assistance with day-to-day areas of life to planning for the future to coaching on self-advocacy and relationship issues. Receiving these services from a Jewish organization enables Jewish adults with special needs to weave their cultural and religious identities throughout all facets of their lives.

Etta uses a state-of-the-art online and fully secured HIPAA-compliant client and employee digital recordkeeping system designed specifically for these kinds of programs. Called Therap, the software is a leader in intellectual and developmental disabilities health recordkeeping through electronic means.

Other Etta Israel services to help people with special needs include housing and residential services; job coaching; social events; a day program; a summer program; and educational programs.

The vision of Etta, which merged with Ohel Children’s Home and Family Services last year, is an inclusive, participatory community of people with and without special needs – succeeding and growing together.