Channel Islands Social Services
Sharon F. has a diverse work experience in the field of helping people with disabilities. Sharon started their career in 1992 as a Manager of Group Supported Employment at PathPoint, where they assisted adults with developmental disabilities in finding jobs and succeeding in the workplace. From 1997 to 2002, they worked at Tri-Counties Regional Center as a Community Services Specialist, where they developed new community resources for individuals with developmental disabilities and performed quality assurance activities. Sharon then took on roles as the Manager of Community Development and Director of Community Development at Tri-Counties Regional Center from 2001 to 2004. In 1998, they were a Founding Charter Representative and Committee Chair of Cub Scout Pack 3831 at Boy Scouts of America. Lastly, in 2004, Sharon founded and became the CEO of Channel Islands Social Services, providing free in-home respite care to families caring for individuals with developmental disabilities and foster and kinship families in Ventura County.
Sharon F. obtained a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from California Lutheran University between 2018 and 2020. Prior to that, they earned a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in Psychology from Loyola Marymount University, which they attended from 1989 to 1993. Additionally, they obtained certification as an American Red Cross CPR and First Aid Instructor from the American Red Cross in January 2005.
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Channel Islands Social Services
Channel Islands Social Services (CISS) is a family-operated organization located in Ventura County, CA. The organization provides FREE in-home respite care (similar to childcare) in the family's own home and in the local community, as well as Independent Living Services. Eligible families and individuals receive funding from Tri-Counties Regional Center, North Los Angeles Regional Center, or the County of Ventura as Foster Parents or Kinship Families. We know how stressful life can be without support from friends and family. Likewise, all of us need a break from time to time to help us take care of our own needs and to refocus so that we can continue to be strong for those who need us. Our committed team of caregivers specializes in providing support to a variety of families including those caring for people who have developmental disabilities (such as but not limited to Autism, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, and intellectual disabilities), Foster Parents and Kinship Caregivers of young children. Inspiration for the organization was sparked during the summer of 2004 when co-founder, Sharon M. Francis, then Director of Community Development for Tri-Counties Regional Center, identified the unmet needs of children with developmental disabilities living in Ventura County with no local option for respite services. Until then, all agency respite services had been provided by home health agencies offering CNA, LVN, or RN services, or from large L.A.-based multi-service companies. The CISS Administrative team is made up of very caring and highly experienced professionals who are dedicated to helping families. With hundreds of amazing Respite Caregivers employed by CISS, the small administrative team works tirelessly to make sure the needs of both families and Respite Caregivers are being met.