CISS is a family-run, service organization committed to providing direct support to individuals and their
dedicated caregivers/parents. 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 needs and to
refocus on what is really important, so that we can continue to be strong for those who need us.
We specialize in providing support for people who have developmental disabilities such as (but not
limited to) Autism, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, and intellectual disabilities.
Inspiration for the organization came during the summer of 2004 when co-founder, Sharon M. Francis,
then Director of Community Development for Tri-Counties Regional Center, identified many 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. Some of these agencies serve more than a
dozen regional centers and more than 10,000 people. After seven years of service at TCRC, Sharon left
and launched Channel Islands Social Services with her husband Tim, so that local families could have
flexible, local respite options. The organization continues to be family-owned and operated with their
sons helping around the office and Tim's mom, Tish Taylor, RN doing in-home assessments and
providing American Red Cross CPR and First Aid training for the staff.
Based centrally in Camarillo, Channel Islands Social Services supports the respite needs of all
individuals receiving regional center services who live with their family throughout all of Ventura County
and bordering cities. Children who are receiving early intervention services (ages 0-3), adults living with
their parents, and people of all ages with developmental disabilities living with their families usually
qualify for the free respite care CISS provides through funding from TCRC and NLACRC.
Please call us so we can start getting to know and help you :-)
dedicated caregivers/parents. 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 needs and to
refocus on what is really important, so that we can continue to be strong for those who need us.
We specialize in providing support for people who have developmental disabilities such as (but not
limited to) Autism, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, and intellectual disabilities.
Inspiration for the organization came during the summer of 2004 when co-founder, Sharon M. Francis,
then Director of Community Development for Tri-Counties Regional Center, identified many 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. Some of these agencies serve more than a
dozen regional centers and more than 10,000 people. After seven years of service at TCRC, Sharon left
and launched Channel Islands Social Services with her husband Tim, so that local families could have
flexible, local respite options. The organization continues to be family-owned and operated with their
sons helping around the office and Tim's mom, Tish Taylor, RN doing in-home assessments and
providing American Red Cross CPR and First Aid training for the staff.
Based centrally in Camarillo, Channel Islands Social Services supports the respite needs of all
individuals receiving regional center services who live with their family throughout all of Ventura County
and bordering cities. Children who are receiving early intervention services (ages 0-3), adults living with
their parents, and people of all ages with developmental disabilities living with their families usually
qualify for the free respite care CISS provides through funding from TCRC and NLACRC.
Please call us so we can start getting to know and help you :-)
| About Us |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| CISS Admin Team of Professionals |
| Pictured above from left to right Back Row: Edith Wysinger, Peggy Bishop, Martha Esquivel, Cindy Arndt Front Row: Beth Alender, Tim Francis, Sharon M. Francis |
| 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. |
Meet the Admin. Team:
Sharon M. Francis, Co-Founder and CEO
Sharon began her career helping individuals with developmental disabilities and their families in 1993. Prior to launching CISS, she
spent four years helping adults with special needs in supported employment and seven years at Tri-Counties Regional Center
performing quality assurance and resource development. Sharon has been instrumental in the Ventura County community in
various roles and nonprofit groups such as the Ventura County Autism Society, American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, and
Partners in Housing.
Tim Francis, Co-Founder and Director of Operations
Tim has worked for CISS since he helped to found the organization in 2004. His professional and educational background is in the
film industry, having worked in post production at various well-known entertainment companies. He leads all marketing and
recruitment for CISS, and is the “go-to guy” for all behind-the-scenes needs of the company and staff. He has started work on
various educational videos related to respite care and family support and has hopes of distributing them in the near future to inspire
people to get involved.
Beth Alender, Director of Finance
Beth has worked for CISS since 2005 as the Director of Finance. She has over 30 years of accounting and business administration
experience having served as Controller and V.P. of Administration for other companies. At CISS, Beth is responsible for all of our
accounting, billing, and payroll. She works closely with all departments and answers calls from families and caregivers who have
questions about the accounting of their hours.
Martha Esquivel, Family Services Associate
Martha has worked at CISS since 2006. She works in the Family Services department and for most people who press extension 0,
she is the first person they speak with. Her past experience has been in the medical field working in various doctor’s offices and at
Children’s Hospital of Orange County in administrative roles.
Martha supports families by referring the best possible caregivers as well as providing information and training to CISS staff. Her
goal is to make long-lasting matches that work for both family and Respite Caregivers.
Edith Wysinger, M.S., Family Services Manager
Edith has been working in this field for almost eighteen years and she joined CISS in 2007 as a Family Services Manager. She
enjoyed her work with an Early Start Program as an Early Interventionist and later as a Regional Center Service Coordinator and
Manager. These experiences broadened her knowledge in working with families and individuals of all ages. At CISS, Edith works
with the Regional Center in coordinating the authorizations and referrals we receive. She is also the resident translator making sure
we reach our Spanish Speaking families and Respite Caregivers. Edith enjoys her work in the field for the rewards it offers both
personally and professionally.
Peggy Bishop, Family Services Manager
Peggy has worked at CISS since January 2009 as a Family Services Manager, leading the coordination of our Enhanced Respite
program. She has over 25 years of experience working with adults and children with Intellectual Disabilities, as well as at risk
youth. She has administered grants for the Department of Social Services, Workforce Investment Board and the Dept. of Labor.
Peggy is a certified Person Centered Thinking Trainer, National Trainer for Pro-ACT and also trains staff in CPR and First Aid. She
is part of the Family Services team and is passionate about people being safe, having opportunities and reaching their potential.
Cindy Arndt, Office Manager
Cindy has worked for CISS since August 2009 as the Office Manager, has over 20 years experience working in the special needs
and special education fields. She has filled various professional roles as a job coach, situational assessment specialist, medical
facilitator, and most recently as a transition specialist with the Conejo Valley Unified School District where she worked with
transitioning high school students who are in Special Education. Cindy helps at CISS to make sure that the employees are up to
date on trainings and all HR required tasks. She assists with payroll and processes all new hires. Cindy loves interacting with the
committed Respite Caregivers, seeing firsthand how the families value the quality care they receive.
Sharon M. Francis, Co-Founder and CEO
Sharon began her career helping individuals with developmental disabilities and their families in 1993. Prior to launching CISS, she
spent four years helping adults with special needs in supported employment and seven years at Tri-Counties Regional Center
performing quality assurance and resource development. Sharon has been instrumental in the Ventura County community in
various roles and nonprofit groups such as the Ventura County Autism Society, American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, and
Partners in Housing.
Tim Francis, Co-Founder and Director of Operations
Tim has worked for CISS since he helped to found the organization in 2004. His professional and educational background is in the
film industry, having worked in post production at various well-known entertainment companies. He leads all marketing and
recruitment for CISS, and is the “go-to guy” for all behind-the-scenes needs of the company and staff. He has started work on
various educational videos related to respite care and family support and has hopes of distributing them in the near future to inspire
people to get involved.
Beth Alender, Director of Finance
Beth has worked for CISS since 2005 as the Director of Finance. She has over 30 years of accounting and business administration
experience having served as Controller and V.P. of Administration for other companies. At CISS, Beth is responsible for all of our
accounting, billing, and payroll. She works closely with all departments and answers calls from families and caregivers who have
questions about the accounting of their hours.
Martha Esquivel, Family Services Associate
Martha has worked at CISS since 2006. She works in the Family Services department and for most people who press extension 0,
she is the first person they speak with. Her past experience has been in the medical field working in various doctor’s offices and at
Children’s Hospital of Orange County in administrative roles.
Martha supports families by referring the best possible caregivers as well as providing information and training to CISS staff. Her
goal is to make long-lasting matches that work for both family and Respite Caregivers.
Edith Wysinger, M.S., Family Services Manager
Edith has been working in this field for almost eighteen years and she joined CISS in 2007 as a Family Services Manager. She
enjoyed her work with an Early Start Program as an Early Interventionist and later as a Regional Center Service Coordinator and
Manager. These experiences broadened her knowledge in working with families and individuals of all ages. At CISS, Edith works
with the Regional Center in coordinating the authorizations and referrals we receive. She is also the resident translator making sure
we reach our Spanish Speaking families and Respite Caregivers. Edith enjoys her work in the field for the rewards it offers both
personally and professionally.
Peggy Bishop, Family Services Manager
Peggy has worked at CISS since January 2009 as a Family Services Manager, leading the coordination of our Enhanced Respite
program. She has over 25 years of experience working with adults and children with Intellectual Disabilities, as well as at risk
youth. She has administered grants for the Department of Social Services, Workforce Investment Board and the Dept. of Labor.
Peggy is a certified Person Centered Thinking Trainer, National Trainer for Pro-ACT and also trains staff in CPR and First Aid. She
is part of the Family Services team and is passionate about people being safe, having opportunities and reaching their potential.
Cindy Arndt, Office Manager
Cindy has worked for CISS since August 2009 as the Office Manager, has over 20 years experience working in the special needs
and special education fields. She has filled various professional roles as a job coach, situational assessment specialist, medical
facilitator, and most recently as a transition specialist with the Conejo Valley Unified School District where she worked with
transitioning high school students who are in Special Education. Cindy helps at CISS to make sure that the employees are up to
date on trainings and all HR required tasks. She assists with payroll and processes all new hires. Cindy loves interacting with the
committed Respite Caregivers, seeing firsthand how the families value the quality care they receive.
Channel Islands Social Services Respite Care
(805) 384-0983 Fax (805) 384-0986
900 Calle Plano, Suite K, Camarillo, CA 93012
(805) 384-0983 Fax (805) 384-0986
900 Calle Plano, Suite K, Camarillo, CA 93012