• The person receiving the service must be a client of the North Bay Regional Center (NBRC)

• The client's service coordinator (SC) must contact SOAR to get on the waitlist

• The waitlist fluctuates, but can be 6 months-2 years long

• When the client is at the top of the waitlist and compatible staff is available, SOAR will contact the client's SC to check in about the client's interest. If the client is responsive and continues to be interested in SOAR, the SC will send SOAR a contract to start an assessment

• Once the contract is approved from the NBRC, SOAR staff will reach out to start an assessment

• SOAR staff will contact the client (if they are an unconserved adult) or their family (if the client is conserved or a minor) to establish the first appointment for the assessment

• The assessment usually takes 2-5 meetings to gather necessary information, including interviews with people outside of the home who can provide another perspective 

• After all necessary information has been collected, SOAR staff will write an assessment report

• The assessment report will be sent to the client's service coordinator at the North Bay Regional Center (NBRC)

• Once a contract is approved for ongoing services through the NBRC, SOAR staff will contact the client and schedule sessions

AST services include 1:1 sessions with direct staff who work in clients’ homes, online, and in the community to teach and practice using skills.

• Places: depending on the client's unique situation, needs, and challenges, one-to-one sessions take place in the client's home, over Zoom, in the community, or at SOAR's clinical office in downtown Santa Rosa

• People: an adaptive skills trainer will work individually with the client. Caregivers are welcome to join if the client agrees and can continue focusing on lessons with other people present. Hangouts with other compatible SOAR clients can be arranged to take place during AST sessions to practice social skills

• Frequency: depending on the client's unique situation, needs, and challenges, sessions may be 1-3 hours in length and 1-3 times per week

• Topics Covered: social skills, safety skills, community awareness, executive functioning

• Teaching Methods: methods are individualized for the client's unique strengths and needs. Methods may include looking at slide decks, having conversations, watching videos, playing games, activities to test the client's understanding, pictures to support the understanding of nonreaders, and more

Sexuality and Relationship Education (SRE) sessions include direct 1:1 and/or group instruction from specially trained SRE staff.

An individualized, age-appropriate, comprehensive sexual education has been shown to reduce risky behaviors in all people, including those with disabilities. Learning about social norms, laws, boundaries, and healthy behaviors leads to better decision-making skills, which results in higher self-esteem and quality of life.

• Places: depending on the client's unique situation, needs, and challenges, one-to-one sessions take place in the client's home, over Zoom, in the community, or at SOAR's clinical office in downtown Santa Rosa

• People: a sexuality and relationship educator (SRE) will work individually with the client. Privacy is paramount for the client to feel comfortable talking about awkward topics with their SRE. Headphones are encouraged for clients who meet with their SRE over Zoom. Clients are encouraged to share what they've learned from their SRE with their caregivers to increase transparency

• Frequency: depending on the client's unique situation, needs, and challenges, sessions may be .5-1.5 hours in length and 1-3 times per week

• Topics Covered: topics range from basic to advanced goals, depending on the client's needs and what they're interested in learning. Topics may include: healthy vs. unhealthy relationships, boundaries, consent, dating, names of sexual body parts, sexual feelings/acts, STIs, andor pregnancy

• Teaching Methods: methods are individualized for the client's unique strengths and needs. Methods may include looking at slide decks, having conversations, watching videos, playing games, activities to test the client's understanding, pictures to support the understanding of nonreaders, and more

SOAR groups offer clients a place to connect with peers, practice social skills, use self-advocacy skills, learn about sexuality and relationships, and explore the community with support and guidance from trained staff. Groups are created on an ongoing basis to cover topics that follow client interests and may be online or in person, depending on client preferences and needs.

SOAR's mental health therapists have training and experience treating people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Our providers focus on increasing self-advocacy, self-worth, empowerment, agency, awareness of self, and confidence in daily routines and daily life. Counseling sessions are person-centered and have a strengths-based approaches to address therapeutic goals. Individualized treatment plans are modified and adapted to meet the unique complexities of our clients who explore therapeutic services, including co-occurring disorders, such as depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, shame and guilt, everyday stressors, and trauma.

• Places: depending on the client's unique situation, needs, and challenges, one-to-one sessions take place in the client's home, over Zoom, in the community, or at SOAR's clinical office in downtown Santa Rosa

• People: a mental health professional who is trained specifically to work with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and trauma-informed will work individually with the client. Privacy is paramount for the client to feel comfortable talking about uncomfortable topics with their therapist. Headphones are encouraged for clients who meet with their MHT over Zoom. Family therapy is not offered through SOAR at this time

• Frequency:  depending on the client's unique situation, needs, and challenges, sessions are typically 1 hour in length and 1-2 times per week

• Topics Covered: topics range from basic to advanced goals, depending on the client's needs and what they're interested in learning. Topics may include: anxiety, self esteem, conflict, friends/family, trauma, negative thoughts, coping skills, and more!

• Want to know more? Check out our explanation of mental health therapy here

Behavior services include caregiver and client consultation with a BCBA to…

- Find creative solutions for challenging behaviors

- Have facilitated conversations to increase perspective taking and self-advocacy skills

- Discuss evidence-based strategies to increase skills client is interested in learning

Interested in learning more about how to support and engage your child or mutual client with SOAR? We offer clinical expertise and collaboration to meet your current needs and find creative solutions for challenging behaviors.

• Places: parent consultation services are held via Zoom

• People: a supervisor, clinical supervisor, or behavior analyst will hold parent consultation meetings with any caregivers in the client's circle of support who would like more guidance. Other clinicians may be approved to join parent consultation services at the discretion of the client, the client's caregivers, and SOAR staff

• Frequency: parent consultation meetings are typically .5-1 hour in length and 1-2 times per month, but can be scheduled every other month or as-needed

• Topics Covered: topics range from preventative and reactive strategies, creative solutions to caregiver concerns, addressing behaviors (if conducted with a behavior analyst present), ways to support the client's learning and generalization or skills, and more