The Westside Regional Center Vision and Guiding Principles

Three words guide Westside's staff in their relationship with clients and their families, and in their vision of the regional center's role:

These words form the basis of four principles to which Westside is committed for all of the services we provide. Those principles are as follows:

Total Participation
All people with disabilities and their families will be—not only integrated—but involved, included and welcomed in community life, in jobs, in school and at home.

A Family Perspective
Each client will be viewed as part of a social unit defined as "family", which includes those people who have a close and significant relationship to the individual. Westside will support and protect the strength and stability of this unit.

Building Power
Individuals with developmental disabilities and their families will be empowered to take control of, and responsibility for, their lives; to make informed choices about where and how they live, where they go to school, and where they work; to become active and influential in their communities; and to become agents of change concerning their rights and wishes.

Putting People First
The focus will change: from bureaucratic to people-driven; from "professional" on one side and "family" on the other to partnership. Both families and staff will be encouraged to be responsible and creative, fortified by a full range of information and education. Intelligent use of resources will result in the highest quality of service within the parameters of a reasonable budget.