There are an estimated 1,500 people with an intellectual or developmental disability who live with a parent or guardian in Yolo County.
During last week's Board of Supervisors meeting, the board passed a resolution declaring November 2023 as Aging Caregivers of Adults with Disabilities Month in Yolo County.
"One of the things that has happened over the last several decades, is that people who are institutionalized with a mental or intellectual disability were no longer institutionalized with the provision of services as many of them stay with family," said Supervisor Jim Provenza.
According to the resolution, 80% of Yolo County clients receive care from a family member.
"The reason this is an issue is the caregivers who entered into care when their adult children were children are now aging out," Provenza explained. "Some are in their 70s or 80s and some have passed away and there's a need to find placement, to find housing for these adult children and to also make sure that these services continue seamlessly.
The resolution was presented to Seth Brunner, co-chair of the intellectual and developmental caregivers task force and caregiver Robin Dewey.
"This is a first but definitely not a last because there is a lot of work to be done," Provenza stressed as he handed over the resolution.
Brunner shared that the task force has been meeting for about 18 months and has held several town halls with plans to hold more in the future. Brunner also said the task force is planning to present a report with recommendations to the Board of Supervisors in the coming months.
"The services provided by caregivers allow people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to participate fully in the community and avoid being placed in institutional settings inappropriate for them," Brunner stressed. "As caregivers age and are no longer able to provide services, there are not enough supportive housing daycare facilities in Yolo County to meet the need."
Dewey, who acts as a caregiver to her 35 year old son with autism, is also the president of Team Davis.
Team Davis is a non profit organization that aims to help enrich the lives of children and adults with developmental, intellectual and/ or physical disabilities. Run almost entirely by volunteers, Team Davis sponsors athletic, social, recreational and educational activities that help build physical skills, a sense of camaraderie and a more integrated connection with the Davis community, according to their website.
Dewey explained that many members and participants of Team Davis are all seeing the same issues: housing and the need for support for their adult children with disabilities.
"There are so many things that we do in our community that make our kids' lives really full and we worry a lot about what's going to happen once we are gone," Dewey said. "So, I really appreciate this resolution and you supporting this concept. Thank you, everybody."
To learn more about Team Davis and their work, visit https://team-davis.org/.
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