Placer Independent Resource Services (PIRS) offers free services that support independent living for people with disabilities in Placer, El Dorado, and Alpine counties.

Services include:

• Coordination of assistive technology, including computer access aids
• Peer support and independent living skills training
• Personal assistant referrals
• Application assistance for SSI, SSDI, Medi-Cal, CalFresh, IHSS, and housing-related forms
• Housing and transportation information and advocacy
• Minor home modifications and mobility aid lending (ask for Helene at 530-885-6100 x28)
• Transition support for community-based living, institutional diversion, and youth to adulthood
• Technical assistance on disability access
• Community education, outreach, and advocacy
• ADRC Options Counseling (Navigator role in Placer County)
• Older Adult Walking Club

Clarification:

PIRS does not provide:

• Group home information or referrals
• Case management
• Housing placement

PIRS does not provide additional services during Public Safety Power Shutoffs (…

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Placer Independent Resource Services (PIRS) facilitates peer-led Cross Disability Support Groups for people with any disability in Auburn (weekly), Placerville (monthly), and a Spanish-speaking group (biweekly). 

Groups provide connection, peer support, and resources.

Services include:

• Weekly peer support group in Auburn
• Monthly peer support group in Placerville
• Spanish-speaking peer support group
• Information, referrals, and reasonable accommodations upon advance request

Additional notes:

Meeting details are posted on PIRS’ activities calendar; PIRS asks people to call in advance to confirm schedule and accessibility needs.

Web pages

• Home - https://pirs.org/

Tahoe Ability Program practices Person-Centered Planning strategies to ensure each participant is in control of their desired curriculum, programs, and activities.

Tahoe Ability Program offers a variety of programs to encourage self-advancement and assistance in reaching individualized goals.

Programs can be located here.

Web pages

• ​Home - https://www.tahoeability.org/
• Programs - https://www.tahoeability.org/programs

The Alzheimer's Association seeks to eliminate Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia through:

• Research
• Connecting people to research studies through TrialMatch
• Advocates for policies and laws that support individuals with dementia and their caregivers
• Raises awareness of Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia
• Safety services
• Care and support for individuals with all forms of dementia (or mild cognitive impairment), family, friends and professional caregivers through a Helpline (800-272-3900, 24 hrs a day, 7 days a week)
• Care consultations
• Education workshops
• Conferences
• Support groups for caregivers and a group for persons with Alzheimer's or other dementias in the early stage
• Written and online materials in multiple languages
• Respite grants

Headquarters: 225 N. Michigan Ave. Floor 17 Chicago, IL 60601

Local Office: 1455 Response Rd suite 190, Sacramento, CA 95815

Web pages

• Home - https://www.alz.org/norcal

Alta California Regional Center (ACRC) provides lifelong support for individuals with developmental disabilities in Nevada and Placer counties.

Services include:

• Assessment, diagnosis, and evaluation
• Early intervention for children ages 0-3 with or at risk for developmental delays
• Genetic counseling and individual program planning
• Case management and service coordination
• Residential placement and follow-up services
• Referrals and consultation for public and private agencies
• Support for adult artists through Neighborhood Center of the Arts (NCA), including studio and gallery programs
• Life skills and activity center programs focused on creativity, communication, and independence

To qualify, individuals must have a substantial developmental disability such as intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and/or autism, with onset before age 18.

Web pages

• Home - https://www.altaregional.org/
• Locations & contact info - https://www.altaregional.org/offices

The Assistance Dog Special Allowance (ADSA )Program provides a monthly payment to eligible persons who use a guide, signal, or service dog to help them with their disability-related needs. The allowance is to help pay the costs of food, grooming, and health care for the dogs.

To be eligible for the ADSA program, you must meet all four of the following criteria:

​1. Lives in California

2. Is blind, deaf, hard of hearing, or disabled

3. Uses the services of a trained guide, signal, or service dog

4. Receives benefits from one or more of these programs - 

• SSI - Supplemental Security Income
• SSP – State Supplementary Payment
• IHSS – In-Home Supportive Services
• SSDI – Social Security Disability Insurance(SSDI recipients must also meet federal poverty guidelines)
• CAPI– Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants

Web pages

• Information in English and Spanish - www.cdss.ca.gov/Assistance-Dogs
• Flyer - https://www.cdss.ca.gov/cdssweb/entres/forms/english/pub294.pdf

The Disability Disaster Access and Resources Program (DDAR) a joint effort with the California Foundation for Independent Living Centers (CFILC) and PG&E to support people with disabilities and older adults before, during, and after a PSPS event.

The program enables qualified customers who use electrical medical devices to access backup portable batteries through a grant, lease-to-own or the FreedomTech low-interest financial loan program.

Transportation resources, lodging and food options are also provided through an online application process to qualified customers. CFILC administers all aspects of the program.

Web pages

• Home - https://disabilitydisasteraccess.org/
• PSPS resources - https://disabilitydisasteraccess.org/public-safety-power-shutoffs/

Canine Companions provides service dogs to adults, children, and veterans with disabilities, and facility dogs to professionals working in healthcare, criminal justice, and educational settings. Dogs and all follow-up services are provided at no cost to clients.

Students must pay for their transportation to and from the training center for their two weeks of training. They must also pay for their meals during training, and depending on the training center in your regional area, the cost of staying in a hotel.

Web pages

• Home - https://canine.org/

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) protects people with disabilities from discrimination.  See below for info about service animals and emotional support animals. There is no official registry for service animals or emotional support animals, but some businesses, etc may request a letter explaining why an emotional support animal is needed.

California law allows persons with disabilities to bring trained service dogs and psychiatric service dogs, but not emotional support animals, to all public places.

Service Animals are:

• Dogs
• Any breed and any size of dog
• Trained to perform a task directly related to a person’s disability

Service animals are not:

• Required to be certified or go through a professional training program
• Required to wear a vest or other ID that indicates they’re a service dog
• Emotional support or comfort dogs, because providing emotional support or comfort is not a task related to a person’s disability

A public place can ask only two questions to determine if a p… [read more]