HOW LIFEHOUSE LAUNCHED CALIFORNIA’S FIRST SLS
In the early 2000s, the landscape for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) in California looked very different than it does today. Most people with I/DD lived in group homes, settings that, while often providing necessary care, offered limited opportunities for autonomy and personal decision-making. At that time, group homes were viewed as a transitional step, not a permanent solution, and there were few alternatives. However, thanks to the vision and leadership of Lifehouse, that began to change.
Robin Lollick, Tanya Noske, Gail Williams
In 2004, Lifehouse launched the first Supported Living Services (SLS) program in Northern California, a transformative initiative that gave people with I/DD the chance to live independently in their own homes with customized support. The spark behind this innovation was Nancy Dow Moody, who was then the Vice President at Lifehouse, and had joined the organization in 1992.
Nancy brought with her a unique perspective. Prior to her work in California, she had been involved in the very first SLS program in Massachusetts. She recognized that while California had a strong service network, it lacked a crucial piece, support that allowed people with I/DD to move beyond institutional or group living and into fully integrated community life. Seeing the need and the potential, Nancy authored a Request for Proposal (RFP) in 2003 to the Golden Gate Regional Center to launch a supported living model through Lifehouse. The proposal was approved, and with it, a movement was born.
Lifehouse began its Supported Living Services program with just eight individuals, each eager to take steps toward greater independence. The program was led by Dori McDonnell, a dedicated and compassionate manager who worked closely with the individuals and their families to ensure smooth transitions and meaningful support. One of those first participants was Patricia Drake, who is pictured alongside Dori in an early snapshot of the program’s success.
Dori McDonnell and Patricia Drake
From modest beginnings, the impact of Lifehouse’s SLS program has been profound. Today, Lifehouse supports more than 200 individuals through its SLS program, making it the largest of its kind in California. More importantly, the model Lifehouse pioneered has inspired countless others across California. Supported Living Services have now become an essential part of the service spectrum across the state, offering thousands of people with I/DD the chance to live in homes of their own choosing, with dignity, purpose, and freedom.
Stephanie Caires, Allison Jones, Nancy Dow Moody, Katie Buster
Lifehouse’s pioneering efforts didn’t just create a program, they helped shift the paradigm of care in California.
Thank you to visionary leaders like Dori, former Lifehouse Manager, and Nancy, who has served as President and CEO of Lifehouse since 2008, and the brave individuals who took that first step toward independence. Supported Living Services are now a cornerstone of disability support statewide.
