Our 2023 summer family picnic reservations are full.
If you would like to be added to the waitlist, call the number on the flyer mailed to you.
We are looking forward to seeing those who RSVPd in person soon!
Please contact our office if you cannot make it so another family can be added.
What is In-Home Respite Care?
Respite is a free family strengthening service that gives primary caregivers a much-needed break in the daily care of their child or loved one with special needs. Trained and trusted Respite Caregivers set their schedules directly with families. Care is provided in the family’s own home and in the local community.
CISS is the only family-operated respite organization in Ventura County. We believe in empowering families to direct their services, decide who provides them, and when they are scheduled, so that respite is relaxing and not taxing! We also pay more than other organizations and offer year-round training opportunities. Contact us for more info.
What families say about us
“The break I get as a mom during my respite time has been so beneficial for our family. My husband notices the difference in my stress level (much lower) after I’ve had a few hours of respite! It also has given me a chance to have one on one time with my older daughter doing more ‘grown-up’ stuff while my little one is home sleeping, under the care of our wonderful caregiver. What an amazing blessing this has been.”
“The CISS Independent Living program has been so wonderful. Our ILS Specialist works directly with my daughter in our home to teach her how to cook, budget her money, and learn new skills. She listens to them more than me, and we all work together on her goals. I highly recommend the ILS program to help your (adult) child be more independent at home and learn skills that may help them live on their own someday”
“We are so grateful for the reprieve it provides our family and it has played a vital role in holding our family together. Thank you all for your professional caring service”
Families
Established in 2004, Channel Islands Social Services is a family-operated organization focused on strengthening families. We specialize in respite care for special needs and resource families, as well as independent living services for individuals with developmental disabilities. We have been recognized twice by the Autism Society Ventura County as their service provider of the year. Call us for more info or fill out our Contact Us form so we can be in touch.
Employees
Our employees are at the heart of our success and we are blessed to have them in our caregiving family! If you need help with anything, please contact your assigned HR Associate at the office or email us.
Employee Announcements
- Please refer friends, family or co-workers and you will get a referral bonus if we hire them!
- Direct deposit of your paycheck into your bank account is so easy! View info on our Payroll page and contact us to sign up today
Quick Links
- Please make sure to review our Covid-19 page that contains all guidance to our families and staff
- Recruitment Board
- Monthly Staff Newsletters
- Training
Applicants
Join our amazing team of caregivers today! CISS is an established, respected organization with a family-centered philosophy of care and employment. Families need your support today!
About Channel Islands Social Services
CISS is a family-operated, private 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 own needs and to refocus our own priorities, 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. Some of these agencies serve more than a dozen regional centers and more than 10,000 people. This was not the personalized care that local families deserved.
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. Please call us so we can start getting to know and help you.
Sharon Francis, Co-Founder and CEO
Sharon Francis, Co-Founder and CEOSharon began her career supporting 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 managing and performing quality assurance and resource development. Sharon has been instrumental in the Ventura County community in various roles and nonprofit groups and she has been a CPR and First Aid instructor with the American Red Cross since 2005. She serves on the boards of Tri-Counties Association for the Developmentally Disabled (as the Vendor Advisory Rep.), and was a long-time board member of the Autism Society Ventura County and Partners in Housing. In 2015, she was recognized by the Autism Society of America as their Autism Professional of the Year, and in 2021 was recognized by the Autism Society Ventura County with a lifetime achievement award.
Tim Francis, Co-Founder and Director of Operations
Tim co-founded the organization in 2004 with his wife Sharon. His professional and educational background is in the film industry, having worked in post-production at various well-known entertainment companies. He serves as the safety officer, leads all marketing and advertising, 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.
To reach one of our amazing staff, please contact our office Receptionist at x0 who will direct you.
Contact Channel Islands Social Services
ADDRESS
Channel Islands Social Services
4000 Calle Tecate, Suite #200
Camarillo, CA . 93012
Our office is open
Monday – Friday, 8:30am-5:30pm