Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health California opening new group home in Santa Barbara County to help adults thrive

Lompoc, CA – April 15, 2021 – Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health California today announced the opening of a new group home in north Santa Barbara County that will serve adults who are transitioning from state institutions and developmental centers to community-based settings – to help them grow and thrive.

The three-bedroom Enhanced Behavioral Supports home will provide intensive services and supports to adult males living with autism spectrum disorder and/or other medical and behavioral health concerns. Services will be delivered in a safe and therapeutic environment with a person-centered approach to ensure each resident’s needs are met. Highly skilled direct care staff and behavioral analysts will create an environment that fosters skills-based functional growth. Team members will use specialized sensory tools, communication technology and hearing assists, as well as picture format learning, to help adults achieve their full potential.

Utilizing the Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) framework, which promotes the reduction of challenging behaviors through the encouragement of positive behaviors, Devereux California staff will create a skills development plan tailored to meet each resident’s unique needs and preferences.

“Our new group home will allow adults with disabilities the opportunity to live meaningful and productive lives as active members of their communities,” said Devereux California Executive Director Amy Evans, M.A., LMFT, LPCC. “There is a significant need in the community for these types of living environments. Our primary goal is to help ensure the individuals we serve are happy, healthy and engaged in the community.”

About Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health California

Founded in 1945, Devereux California provides a continuum of care for adults – ages 18 through lifespan – with diagnoses, including autistic spectrum disorders, intellectual and developmental disabilities, emotional and behavioral challenges, dementia and other cognitive disorders. Devereux California offers residential and day treatment programs; community-based group homes, supported living services and respite care. The organization operates three residential care facilities in Goleta, two enhanced behavioral homes in Santa Barbara, as well as more than 20 supported and independent living homes and apartments throughout Santa Barbara County. All programs provide a treatment milieu designed to increase independent living skills, community integration and ensure the highest possible quality of life.

About Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health

Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health is one of the nation’s largest nonprofit organizations providing services, insight and leadership in the evolving field of behavioral healthcare. Founded in 1912 by special education pioneer Helena Devereux, the organization operates a comprehensive national network of clinical, therapeutic, educational, and employment programs and services that positively impact the lives of tens of thousands of children, adults – and their families – every year. Focused on clinical advances emerging from a new understanding of the brain, its unique approach combines evidence-based interventions with compassionate family engagement.

With more than 7,500 employees working in programs across the nation, Devereux is a recognized partner for families, schools and communities, serving many of our country’s most vulnerable populations in the areas of autism, intellectual and developmental disabilities, specialty mental health, and child welfare. Programs are offered in hospital, residential, community and school-based settings. They include: assessments; interventions and support; transition and independent life services; family and professional training; research and innovation; and advocacy and public education. For more than a century, Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health has been guided by a simple and enduring mission: To change lives by unlocking and nurturing human potential for people living with emotional, behavioral or cognitive differences. www.devereux.org.

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