Channel Islands Social Services
Family Strengthening through
Respite Care + Independent Living
Ventura County, CA
(805) 384-0983
Supporting local families since 2004
Just Published! View our Fall 2023 Newsletter
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 developmental disabilities. 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 regional center 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
- NEW! CISS Resource & Activity Guide – published bi-weekly. Check it out and share!
- Referral bonuses available for our existing staff who refer amazing people we hire!
- 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
- Weekly Recruitment Board
- Training Page
- NEW! Respite Caregiver Mentoring Program!
(Contact your HR Associate for details)
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
Channel Islands Social Services is dedicated to providing collaborative services and supports that are reflective of individual needs, strengthen families, and support independence. We do this by providing quality in-home respite care and independent living services throughout Ventura County.
CISS is a family-operated, private service organization committed to providing direct support to individuals and their parents or primary caregivers. We know how stressful life can be without regular 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 who have children or adult relatives with intellectual and developmental disabilities (eg. Autism, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy), and Resource Families caring for children in the foster care system in Ventura County.
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.
View more on our YouTube page
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 giving back to nonprofits. She served on the boards of Tri-Counties Association for the Developmentally Disabled (as the elected Vendor Advisory Rep. for seven years), 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. She has received lifetime achievement awards from President Obama’s Office (2016) and from ASVC (2021) for her extensive work in our community.
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. As our Director of Operations, he leads our risk management, purchasing and marketing. Tim volunteered in various roles for many years with local Scouting programs. He has hopes of working with Sharon in the near future to create videos featuring the diverse experiences of families we support to inform and mentor the next generation, and to inspire more community members 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