Foster Grandparent & Senior Companion
One of the underlying objectives of everything the California Department of Developmental Services (“DDS”) does is ensuring that individuals with developmental disabilities remain active and vital members of their families and communities. Among DDS’s many programs designed to foster inclusion and community connection are the closely-related DDS Foster Grandparent Program (“FGP”) and the DDS Senior Companion Program (“SCP”). Both of these programs offer unique ways for DDS recipients and community members to interact with one another and forge lasting connections. In this way, these initiatives not only benefit individuals with disabilities but also allow older adults to share their skills, wisdom, and compassion in meaningful ways.
The DDS Foster Grandparent Program
The DDS Foster Grandparent Program is designed for older adults, usually 55 and up. Chiefly, foster grandparents serve as mentors, tutors, and role models for children and young adults with developmental disabilities. Additionally, volunteers provide consistent, one-on-one attention that helps participants develop academic, social, emotional, and interpersonal skills.
Foster Grandparents often assist with activities such as reading practice, classroom support, homework, or simply offering companionship and encouragement. Their role goes beyond education, as Foster Grandparents ultimately help build relationships of trust with young developmentally disabled people. Similarly, Foster Grandparents help those they work with feel a strong sense of community belonging and inclusion.
But the positive outcomes of the program don’t stop there. For volunteers themselves, the program provides an opportunity to remain active, engaged, and connected to their communities.
The DDS Senior Companion Program
The Senior Companion Program focuses on pairing older adult volunteers with developmentally disabled adults. For those volunteering in this program, the goal is to help the individuals they work with live fuller lives of independence, community connection, and dignity.
More specifically, SCP volunteers provide assistance with day-to-day tasks, activities of daily living, education, job preparation, social interaction, and community involvement. As with FGP volunteers, SCP volunteers are ultimately there to provide meaningful friendship and community connection. Additionally, the program provides senior volunteers a meaningful way to stay active in their communities.
FAQ
Q: I want to volunteer. How do I get involved?
A: To participate in either the FGP or SCP programs, reach out to your local DDS regional center. From there, they can fill you in available opportunities and can get you started in whichever program you want to participate in.
Q: Who can become a Foster Grandparent or Senior Companion?
A: Typically, volunteers are age 55 and older. In general, the only real requirement is a desire to serve your community. Volunteers need to pass a background check and may need to complete a short training session.
Q: How can I participate as an AmeriCorps Senior?
A: AmeriCorps Seniors provides another channel through which people can volunteer in either the FGP or SCP. To qualify for entry into one of these programs through AmeriCorps Seniors, you must be at least 55 years old, meet AmeriCorps Senior income requirements, complete a background check, and serve a minimum of five hours per week. AmeriCorps Senior volunteers receive a stipend of $4/hour, a daily meal and travel stipend of $12/day, and paid holidays and leave.
Q: How do these programs help individuals with disabilities?
A: Both the FGP and SCP provide mentoring, companionship, and daily living support to individuals with developmental disabilities. Ultimately, these programs help foster a strong sense of independence, inclusion, and personal growth.