Valley Village

Farewell to Matt! Valley Village bids a heartfelt farewell to Matthew Swearman, whose unwavering commitment has transformed our organization over the past 6 years. Matt's dedication has left an indelible mark, and we're immensely grateful for his role in supporting adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities. Your leadership has elevated Valley Village to new heights, Matt, and your passion has inspired us all. While our team will deeply miss your presence, we're excited for your future endeavors. Here's to a joyful and rewarding next chapter in your journey! #Farewell #ValleyVillageLA #Leadership #NextChapter #ValleyVillageLife

We are excited that our ADC Winnetka has resumed its ASL (American Sign Language) classes, which have paused since the pandemic. Led by the wonderful Ruth, these small group classes provide our participants valuable communication skills, enhancing their ability to connect and express themselves. At Valley Village, we believe in the power of communication and inclusivity. Our ASL learning experience celebrates connection and understanding. Participants engage in interactive sessions, learning essential signs and building confidence in their communication abilities. Ruth’s expertise and enthusiasm create a vibrant and supportive environment where every achievement is celebrated, no matter how big or small. Join us in celebrating the return of our ASL classes and their positive impact on our participants! #ASLClasses #SignLanguage #ValleyVillageLA #InclusiveCommunication #ValleyVillageLife #ADCWinnetka #AdultsWithDisabilities #HearingLoss #ThisIsValleyVillage #ValleyVillageThrives

We share a heartfelt message from Matthew Swearman as he prepares to leave his role at Valley Village this July after six transformative years. Matt's dedication has driven tremendous growth and impactful changes in our community. His leadership has enriched lives and strengthened the bonds among our supporters, donors, families, and the individuals we serve. As he moves on to new opportunities, Matt invites us all to continue our advocacy and commitment to Valley Village’s mission. Thank you, Matthew, for your unwavering support and leadership. #ValleyVillageLA #Farewell #Community #Gratitude #Leadership #NextChapter #NonProfit #AdultsWithDisabilities #TheLastChatWithMatt

The past few days at Valley Village have been a vibrant celebration of Juneteenth, filled with education, creativity, and hands-on activities that honored the rich cultural heritage of this remarkable day and the ongoing pursuit of freedom and equality. Our participants had a fantastic time learning about the profound history of Juneteenth, the courageous individuals who played pivotal roles in this momentous event, and even tasting traditional foods. Inspired by the trailblazing Black artist Alma Thomas, our participants recreated stunning artworks using a variety of mediums, including vibrant paints and collage materials. The sensory experience of having paint on their hands and the tactile exploration of different textures added an extra layer of fun and engagement, allowing them to express themselves creatively while honing their fine motor skills. It's been fantastic moments celebrating freedom, creativity, and the joy of learning together! Here's to many more celebrations of Juneteenth at Valley Village, where we embrace diversity, foster inclusivity, and create lasting memories through shared experiences. 🎨✊🏽❤️ #ValleyVillageLA #Juneteenth #History #AlmaThomas #ArtActivities #FineMotorSkills #SensoryFun #CommunityLearning #ValleyVillageLife #ValleyVillageThrives #CelebratingFreedom #DiversityAndInclusion #CulturalAppreciation

Happy Autistic Pride Day!  At Valley Village, we take immense pride in supporting and empowering individuals on the autism spectrum. Today, we celebrate the rich neurodiversity within our community and honor the unique strengths, talents, and perspectives that autistic individuals bring. Autism is a vital part of human diversity, not something that needs to be cured or corrected. We believe in providing environments where our autistic participants and residents can thrive authentically as their true selves. Join us in promoting acceptance, inclusion, and understanding for the autistic community. Let's create a world where everyone is valued, respected, and given equitable opportunities to pursue their passions and live fulfilling lives. We see you, we embrace you, and we celebrate your beautiful neurodivergent minds! #ValleyVillageLA #AutisticPrideDay #Neurodiversity #Inclusion #Acceptance #CelebratingDifferences #EmbracingAuthenticity #ValleyVillageLife #ValleyVillageThrives 

URGENT: Raise the CBAS Medi-Cal Rate! We urgently need your help to secure a much-needed rate increase for Community-Based Adult Services (CBAS) in the state budget. Time is running out as decisions are being made behind closed doors. Your voice is crucial in preventing center closures and ensuring continued support for our community. Share Your Story: Let lawmakers know how a rate increase will help Valley Village continue serving our community or share the impact low rates have had on our centers. Your personal stories can make a difference! How to Help: 1. Sign the Petition: https://lnkd.in/gfN6d69c 2. Share Your Story: In the "Message Body" section, add a short statement about the importance of the rate increase. 3. Spread the Word: Once you’ve completed the call to action, share the link with friends and family to amplify our message. Why This Matters: Support Valley Village in advocating for an urgently needed CBAS (Community-Based Adult Services) Medi-Cal rate increase in the final negotiated budget package. The rate has not increased in 15 years, while inflation alone has increased costs by 60%! Without rate relief this year, many centers like ours will close. Thousands of participants – frail elders and people with Alzheimer's, dementia, mental illness, or other chronic disabilities – will decline and end up in nursing homes or on the street. By using a portion of the MCO Tax to fund this urgent need, you can help save lives and families. We appreciate your continued advocacy and support. Together, we can ensure that Valley Village and other CBAS centers remain open to serve our communities! #RaiseCBASRates #CBASAdvocacy #ProtectOurCenters #FundCBAS #HealthcareForAll #ValleyVillageLA #ValleyVillageLife

At Valley Village, we know how essential assistive technology is for fostering independence and creating opportunities for everyone. On this World Day for Assistive Technology, we're delighted to share a beautiful video by Unlock the Everyday that captures the transformative power of these tools. Join us in celebrating the impact of assistive technology and advocating for greater accessibility for all. Together, we can create a world where everyone has the opportunity to succeed and live independently. #WorldDayForAssistiveTechnology #AssistiveTech #UnlockTheEveryday #ValleyVillageLA #Accessibility #Inclusion #Empowerment #Equity #ValleyVillageLife #ValleyVillageThrives 

Today, May 12th, we honor and celebrate the remarkable nurses at Valley Village who dedicate themselves tirelessly to our residential homes and day programs. Every day, they go above and beyond to provide compassionate care and support to our community members. To all our nurses: your commitment, empathy, and skill do not go unnoticed. You make an immense difference in the lives of so many, and today, we want to make sure you know how grateful we are. Thank you for your incredible contributions to society and for being our everyday heroes. We are truly blessed to have you as part of our Valley Village family. 💙 #InternationalNursesDay #NurseAppreciation #HealthcareHeroes #ValleyVillageCares #ThankYouNurses #CommunityCare #ValleyVillageStrong #ValleyVillageThrives #ValleyVillageLA #ValleyVillageLife #ThisIsValleyVillage Matthew Swearman Debra Donovan Marlene Jaramillo Enrique Yniguez

Great event hosted by Valley Village and Matthew Swearman —thank you for the invitation! Valley Village is a dedicated nonprofit organization committed to advocating for, protecting, and supporting the rights and interests of individuals with developmental disabilities. #annualgala #valleyvillagela #valleyvillageprom #flagstarbank #volunteer

After more than half a century of relentless advocacy by the disability community, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, through its Office for Civil Rights (OCR), has issued a monumental final rule under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. This rule represents one of the most significant advancements toward health equity and strengthened protections against discrimination for disabled Americans in our nation's history. This groundbreaking rule, titled "Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability in Health and Human Service Programs or Activities," updates and modernizes Section 504 regulations to advance equity and provide crucial new protections against disability discrimination in federally funded health and human service programs, such as hospitals, Medicaid providers, social services, nursing homes, and any other program receiving HHS funding. The groundbreaking provisions include: ✔️ Prohibiting medical treatment decisions based on ableist biases or devaluing disabled lives ✔️ Banning value assessment measures that discount life extension for disabled people ✔️ Defining website/mobile app accessibility standards (WCAG 2.1 AA) ✔️ Requiring accessible medical diagnostic equipment under new standards ✔️ Preventing discrimination against disabled parents/prospective parents in child welfare services ✔️ Clarifying requirements to provide services in integrated community settings when appropriate The rule also increases consistency with the Americans with Disabilities Act and major court decisions. This is a huge step forward for the 61 million Americans with disabilities! View the Final Rule at: https://lnkd.in/g94WANBS An HHS Fact Sheet is also available at: https://lnkd.in/gbDFF7Ma #CripTheVote #DisabilityRights #ValleyVillageLA #DisabilityAwareness #ValleyVillageLife #DisabilityAdvocate #DisabilityInclusion #TheBarriersWeFace #HandsOffMyADA #DisabilityJustice #ThisIsValleyVillage #DisabledPower #WeTheDisabled #CripLivesMatter #NothingAboutUsWithoutUs #DisabilityPolicy #DisabilityAgenda #ValleyVillageThrives