About Via West
Via West Campus offers year-round day and residential programs for children and adults, ages 5 and older, with physical and/or developmental disabilities and special needs. Our programs incorporate developmentally appropriate content reflecting our Living Healthy themes: adaptive and functional skills, nutrition, physical activity, health awareness and self-management. Via West is located on 13-wooded acres nestled in the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains in Stevens Creek County Park just 15 miles west of San Jose and 45 miles south of San Francisco. The facility has six modern and accessible sleeping lodges equipped with bathrooms, showers and heaters, a spacious main lodge where dining and large group programs take place, two pools, one of which is fully accessible, a health center, fire circle, creative arts and performing arts buildings, a sports court, nature pavilion with an accessible organic garden, horse corral, platform tent site as well as hiking and nature trails.
We offer weekend programs during the school year as well as summer sessions ranging from 4 to 9 days. Participants are assigned to lodge groups based on age, gender and ability levels. Historically, we have served approximately 65 participants on weekends and between 75 and 120 during summer sessions.
Via West is a unique community. A typical day begins at 8:00 a.m. and continues through 9:00 p.m. with a balanced schedule of activity periods, meals, rest and free time. Participants are given the opportunity to participate in a wide variety of activities that are designed around Via’s Living Healthy framework and aim to develop and strengthen adaptive and functional living skills. We believe that all children and adults benefit from experiencing the natural world first hand. The environment provides infinite possibilities for developing and strengthening communication skills and social functioning through exploring, playing, problem solving and socializing as members of lodge and activity groups, and in one-to-one or small group interactions. We utilize lodge group living and communal dining, creative and performing arts, gardening, aquatics, recreation, outdoor living skills, nature hikes, talent shows and other special events to encourage and support realize their potential and become active participants in their communities.
Via West is led by an experienced team committed to providing a safe, enjoyable learning environment for our participants. All staff undergo extensive training prior to working within the programs. The majority of our staff are undergraduate and graduate students in the human services fields: education, behavioral sciences, therapeutic recreation or adapted physical recreation, and allied health. We offer a vibrant high school volunteer program that provides training and valuable experience to students required to complete community service projects. A registered nurse is on premises at all time and during Summer 2009, 10 senior nursing student-interns were trained to provide the specialized care that many of our participants require in a program that we hope will gain nationwide recognition through the participating nursing schools.
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Summer Respite Programs
During the summer sessions, participants enjoy a well balanced schedule of activities that rotate through all our program areas. They are also given the opportunity to choose additional activities that target their interests. The participant to staff ratio is based on physical care and behavior needs which are assessed and determined by senior staff prior to participation. Supervision and support for the majority of participants falls between 3:1 and 1:1 ratios. Each participant is assigned to a staff member who participates with him or her in activities, offering encouragement and assistance when needed. Sessions range in length from 4 to 8 days.
In the summer we also offer specialty sessions designed for specific populations with a tailored program. Past specialty sessions have included: Autism, for ages 8 – 20 that focuses on communication and skill development; Down’s, for participants ages 8 – 20 with a focus on skill development and recreational activities that have a high probability of transferring back into the home and community, such as health and fitness; Young Adult Leadership Development, for ages 18-30 who want to develop their leadership and independent living skills.
Sign-ups for summer sessions are taken on a first come-first served basis. A percentage of each session's places are dedicated to participants who need one on one support. The demand for these places is high and they are filled through a lottery system. Please read our Summer 2010 information for details.
For your convenience, we have provided the information that was mailed out below.
Parent Forms
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Weekend Respite Programs
Our winter respite programs begin at 5:00 p.m. on Fridays and end at 2:00 p.m. Sundays. We offer between 9 and 12 weekend sessions between October and May of each year. The participant to staff ratio is based on physical care and behavior needs which are assessed and determined by senior staff prior to participation. The supervision for the majority of participants falls between 3:1 and 1:1 ratios. Each participant is assigned to a staff member who joins him or her in activities, offering encouragement and assistance when needed.
Special weekend themes are planned for each session with activities tailored to accommodate all skill levels. Over the weekend session, participants enjoy 2-3 activities such as creative arts, performing arts, nature hikes and horseback riding. Additional activities are planned around each session’s themes exposing participants to new experiences.
Please see below for 2010-2011 Weekend Respite Information and Registration Forms
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Employment Opportunities
Via is always looking for qualified applicants for our summer and weekend respite programs. We offer wonderful opportunities for growth and development working in a fun, outdoor setting. Students interested in behavioral sciences, education, rehabilitation, medical fields, allied health, nursing, social work, recreation, and human services can gain valuable “hands on” experience in working with individuals with developmental disabilities. In addition, many schools accept the work you will be doing as fieldwork hours for occupational therapy courses, education, social work and a variety of other fields of study. If you seek to make a meaningful and direct impact on individuals with disabilities, learn and develop new skills, and work with a culturally diverse staff, we invite you to join our team.
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Volunteer Opportunities
Via West thrives thanks to the countless efforts of hundreds of volunteers each year. Their selfless giving of time and love to children and adults with developmental disabilities make them tremendous role models and mentors. For ways to give your time and resources to Via West, visit our Get Involved section.
If you have any questions about our Via West volunteer program, please contact Rosie Yamashita at ryamashita@viaservices.org
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Community Service Program
Via West collaborates with several local high schools to provide more than 150 students with the opportunity to serve their communities every year. The purpose of the community service program is to give students a chance to engage in direct “hands on” service to individuals with developmental disabilities. The program focuses on disability awareness, leadership and personal skill development, opportunities to make a difference and learning community service.
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