The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021 provided the Department of Developmental
Services (Department) $12.5 million for social recreation grants. RCEB is pleased to announce DDS approved three organizations to receive grants in our catchment area.
See below for details of the awardees and how individuals served by RCEB can access the resources.
Alameda Boys & Girls Club
1900 Third Street
Alameda CA 94501
Point of contact: Marc Morales, Marc@alamedabgc.org
(510) 522-4900
The Alameda Boys & Girls Club (ABGC) was awarded $39,909.80 to support their Social Recreation grant by the Department of Developmental Services. The grant cycle started in April 2023 and will continue until December 31, 2023. ABGC is currently providing a weekly Saturday program to bring together current Club teen members and teens with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) to foster relationships and skill-building opportunities among them. The main goal is to offer teens opportunities for inclusivity and equity among all of their demographics.
The program strives to accomplish the following objectives:
• Provide a consistent, safe, and dedicated space for youth with I/DD to experience new
activities they are not generally exposed to at their schools or homes.
• Support the development of friendships between teens who have never met before.
• Align with emerging practices that best serve youth with I/DD.
• Focus on the individual needs of participating teens by encouraging their input in the development of activities.
• Provide high-quality and impactful experiences for participating youth by trained staff that understand their specific needs.
The Saturday program hours are from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Alameda Boys & Girls Club.
There is no cost for individuals to attend the Saturday program. It is offered to teens aged 13-18 years of age from the general public including those with DD/ID. There is no cap on the number of clients who can attend as long as they fall within the 6-18 age range. Various activities are offered such as game tournaments, physical activity, music education, arts and crafts, and peer-to-peer discussion sessions. Clients can access the program by completing an online membership application found at: https://bgcalameda.my.site.com/V2/s/login-home
Be Exceptional
400 H Street
Antioch, CA 94509
(925) 978-4161
Point of Contact: Lynda Green
Be Exceptional (BE) was awarded $80,000 to support their Social Recreation grant by the Department
of Developmental Services. The grant cycle started in April 2023 and will continue until December 31, 2023. BE is currently serving individuals ages 4 to 65. The main goal is to increase access to culturally and linguistically sensitive services.
The program strives to accomplish the following objectives:
- Hire staff that is linguistically competent in our catchment areas’ languages.
- Increase staffing in underserved communities.
- Provide outreach about our current and new services.
- Train our current staff to be culturally and linguistically sensitive.
- Development of documents and translation of outreach materials such as registration forms, flyers, websites, and other educational materials in languages that reflect the catchment area.
BE currently offers recreational classes and social events to people of all abilities with the intent of creating a space where everyone is welcome including those with I/DD. They offer combined classes in acting, cheerleading, dance, fitness, gymnastics, skateboarding, and tumbling to people who are considered neurotypical and to people who are considered to have a disability.
By expanding services to more people who would not otherwise attend, the program is supporting the goals and visions of social recreation by creating a more inclusive community within our catchment area.
Clients can access the program by contacting BE by email at beexceptionalprograms@gmail.com or by phone at (925) 978-4161. Please ask for Lynda Green for enrollment or questions. There is no fee for enrollment for RCEB clients.
Be Exceptional is also vendored by RCEB for Social Recreation, Vendor #HB1385
East Bay YMCA
2111 Martin Luther King Jr. Way
Berkeley, CA 94704
(510) 451-8039
Point of contact: Manny Nungaray, mnungaray@ymcaeastbay.org
The East Bay YMCA was awarded $114,782 to support their Social Recreation Alliance Grant from the Department of Developmental Services. They will be providing these services in Alameda and Contra Costa counties. The main objective of this grant is to increase access to youth-centered programs and services for individuals with ID/DD, in particular, those from Spanish-speaking households. This will be accomplished by adding new staff positions designed to support English as a second language individuals with I/DD across these programs. These programs will take place at multiple locations where additional support is needed.
The overall goals for the program include the following:
- Increased staffing support with the goal of increasing services and support to
underserved communities at an intersection of individuals with I/DD and ESL - Provide cultural and linguistic competence training for key identified staff throughout
the organization, as well as specific cultural training for new key positions. - Develop and review documents and translation of outreach materials to include:
organizational web interface, registration, scholarship, program guides, and information.The East Bay YMCA is in the process of setting up the programs to achieve these goals. Some of the tasks at hand include translating their registration forms, monthly newsletter, and updating their website as well as conducting bi-lingual staff recruitment. More information to follow about how to access these services.