Building independence through ILS coaching

What is independent living services

Independent living services, often called ILS, are one to one coaching and training supports for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities who want to build more independence at home and in the community. ILS is about learning and practicing skills, not doing everything for the person.

In California, ILS can be funded directly by regional centers through their ILS service code, or it can be included in an individual budget through the Self Determination Program. In both cases the goal is the same. Real daily skills, less confusion, and more control over your own life.

Why independence coaching matters

Many adults with disabilities are either over supported or under supported. Families are tired, systems are complicated, and it can be hard to see a clear path from where things are today to a more independent future.

ILS coaching creates that path. Session by session, you work on skills that:

• Make daily life safer and more predictable
• Increase confidence in handling money, schedules, and transportation
• Support better communication with family, staff, and professionals
• Open doors to work, school, social life, and community involvement
• Help families step back from doing everything and move into more of a support role

When ILS is coordinated well with the regional center or Self Determination Program, it does not replace family love or natural support. It adds structure, accountability, and coaching so that progress does not depend only on family energy.

How ILS coaching works at bttr

At bttr, ILS is not a random list of tasks. It is a structured coaching relationship with clear goals and data that feeds back to your regional center or Self Determination team.

In our ILS model, we focus on three layers.

Clarity

• We write simple, measurable goals that match your Individual Program Plan or Self Determination spending plan
• We create a clear session structure so you know what to expect each week
• We use shared tools like checklists, calendars, and simple trackers so everyone can see progress

Coaching

• We provide one to one ILS coaching in the home and in the community
• We match you with coaches who understand your communication style and culture
• We practice skills in real settings, not only talking about them on paper

Comunicación

• We document sessions so regional center service coordinators and Self Determination teams can see progress
• We coordinate with other services such as day programs, employment services, and therapy when needed
• We keep families updated in a respectful and honest way, with clear boundaries that support adult dignity

ILS through regional center funding

Many participants at bttr receive ILS through traditional regional center funding. This usually means:

• An Individual Program Plan that includes outcomes related to living skills, safety, and community participation
• A specific number of ILS hours per month that the regional center authorizes
• bttr as the ILS vendor responsible for staffing, training, and documentation

In this model, your regional center service coordinator is your main contact for authorizing hours and updating outcomes. bttr takes care of:

• Hiring, onboarding, and supervising ILS coaches
• Scheduling sessions that fit your life within the authorized hours
• Tracking goals and sending the required reports back to the regional center

You still have choice. You can share preferences about coach personality, language, schedule, and style. bttr works to honor those preferences while staying inside regional center rules and your current authorization.

ILS through Self Determination Program

Some participants prefer to receive ILS through the Self Determination Program. In that case, ILS coaching is built into the individual budget and spending plan instead of only using the traditional ILS service code.

In Self Determination, bttr can support you in different ways.

• We can provide ILS coaching as a provider paid through your Financial Management Service
• We can help your team translate your person centered plan into clear ILS related goals
• We can work alongside an Independent Facilitator to make sure coaching matches your budget and outcomes

ILS through Self Determination is often more flexible. For example, your plan might blend:

• Standard in home ILS sessions
• Community based coaching tied to transportation, shopping, or volunteering
• Support around technology, such as phones, tablets, and safety apps

Everything still needs to fit Self Determination rules and your regional center guidelines. The difference is that you and your team have more say in the exact mix of supports and who provides them.

Skill tracks in ILS coaching at bttr

To keep things clear, bttr uses skill tracks that group ILS goals into simple themes. Most ILS plans include a mix of these areas.

• Life. Routines, time management, cleaning, laundry, personal safety, and daily organization
• Money. Budgeting, banking, benefits paperwork, basic saving habits, and safer spending choices
• Tech. Using phones, tablets, computers, passwords, safety settings, and helpful apps
• Connect. Social skills, community access, building and keeping friendships, and group activities
• Express. Self advocacy, communication with staff and professionals, and practicing how to ask for help
• Health. Health routines, medication organization as allowed by state rules, sleep habits, and appointments

When we create an ILS plan, we link each goal to one or more of these tracks. That helps everyone see where progress is happening and where extra coaching is still needed.

Building a weekly structure with ILS

Independence grows when support is consistent. At bttr, we pay attention to how ILS fits into your week, not only into a single session.

A typical ILS week with bttr can include:

• Regular sessions on the same days and times whenever possible
• Clear start and end routines so you know what happens in each visit
• Small assignments between sessions that are realistic for you and your family
• Planned check ins with family or housemates when appropriate

For some participants, this looks like shorter sessions several days per week. For others, it might be longer visits fewer times per week. We design the pattern based on your energy, transportation, work or school, and family schedule.

Family and circle of support in ILS

Family and natural supports are a huge part of independence. ILS works best when everyone understands the plan and respects the adult role of the participant.

At bttr, we:

• Invite families and housemates to share what is working and what is not working
• Clarify which tasks are the coach responsibility and which belong to family
• Encourage respectful communication even when there is stress or disagreement
• Use ILS to gradually shift some tasks from family to the participant where it is safe and realistic

For Self Determination participants, the larger circle of support from the person centered plan can be included in check ins and updates if the participant agrees.

Examples of ILS goals at bttr

Every plan is unique, but these are examples of the type of goals we see often in ILS through regional center and Self Determination.

How to start ILS with bttr

Getting started with ILS can feel overwhelming, so we keep the first steps simple.

• Talk with your regional center service coordinator about ILS or Self Determination if you are not already enrolled
• Ask if bttr is available as an ILS provider in your area and share that you are interested
• Reach out to bttr so we can learn about your goals, your schedule, and your current supports
• Work with your team to make sure ILS goals match your Individual Program Plan or Self Determination plan

From there, we move into matching you with a coach, building your starting schedule, and setting up simple tools to track progress from the very first month.

FAQ about ILS coaching

How often do ILS sessions happen

The number of hours and how often sessions happen depends on what the regional center authorizes or what your Self Determination budget can support. Some people receive a few hours per week. Others receive more. We design the schedule around your life within the approved hours.

Can ILS help with everything in my life

ILS focuses on skill building and coaching. It can support many parts of daily life, but it cannot replace medical care, legal advice, or services that require different professional licenses. When something is outside ILS, we help you and your team find the right type of service.

What is the difference between ILS through regional center and ILS through Self Determination

Regional center funded ILS follows their standard service code and authorization. ILS through Self Determination uses your individual budget and spending plan. The day to day coaching can look very similar. The main difference is how services are planned, approved, and paid for.

Can I change my ILS goals

Yes. Goals should reflect your real life. If something changes, we talk with you, your family if you want them involved, and your regional center or Self Determination team to update the plan in a clear and appropriate way.

How does bttr measure progress

We use session notes, simple data points, and regular check ins to track progress. Progress can look like doing a task with less help, making safer choices, or needing fewer reminders. We share this information with your team so decisions are based on real evidence, not only on feelings.