Written By: Brian Rong, FCSN Voices Youth Reporter
Graphics By: Kristinia Guo, FCSN Voices Graphic Artist

Behind many of FCSN’s programs are kind-hearted individuals who dedicate their lives to help those with special needs. Among these remarkable individuals is Feliza Hsu, a case manager for FCSN’s East Bay Supported Living Services (SLS) program. The mission of FCSN’s SLS program is to provide a lifestyle of choice, independence, and support for their clients, namely adults with special needs, through helping them develop personal skills as well as build financial independence by finding and maintaining a job. Since its founding, the SLS program has grown to support more than 25 clients, with a team of 25 staff members, some full-time and some part-time. Each case manager usually works with around 6-7 clients at a time.

To qualify for this program, the client must be at least 18 years of age, financially able to pay for living and housing expenses, resides in South Alameda County or Santa Clara County, and have no complicated health issues or aggression issues. 

Within this program, clients are taught much more than just the basics of living. FCSN’s SLS program also includes classes on how to budget money, pay rent and bills, do common household chores, advocate for oneself, and how to stay healthy through exercise. The SLS program also includes assistance for clients in certain areas such as finding compatible housemates and affordable housing, assistance with Public Benefit issues such as Medi-Cal and Medicare, along with assistance in applying for the Section 8 Housing Program, a federal program that helps pay for housing. Through these classes, FCSN’s SLS program hopes to teach special needs individuals important living skills and how to become more independent. 

One unique aspect of this program is the diverse skills of the people within it. Some staff members, such as Feliza, work part-time in SLS and part-time in other programs. For example, in addition to SLS, Feliza works part-time as a job coach at FCSN’s East Bay Support Employment Program (SEP), which helps special needs individuals find employment and nurture the skills needed to excel at their job.

Leading this program does not come without challenges. Challenges in the program range from finding the right balance between what staff, the client, and the client’s family think of the decisions made by the program, to making sure that the client has a independent life. The nature of the program means that managers and workers have to be available most of the time to answer questions and help resolve any problems that can arise, such as disagreements between staff and parents on how to best help their child. Some of the common disagreements that can occur include how dependent clients should be on the staff, should the client be monitored 24/7 or only for a few hours a day, and goals and objectives for the client. 

Not only are there challenges within the program, there are also common misconceptions about the individuals in this program. According to Feliza, the main one is that individuals with special needs are not seen as having rights and being able to hold responsibilities. This can get in the way of one of the SLS program’s primary goals of helping clients live self-sustained lives, as these misconceptions can greatly harm and impact the ability of a client to be accepted for a job and to hold that job. Overcoming these misconceptions is a huge challenge, and according to Feliza, advocacy for clients is a top priority of the program. A case manager like Feliza must not only speak up for her clients but also empower them to advocate for themselves. This can not only help clients find a sense of independence, but it also builds career skills that will stick with the client for a lifetime.

The reason behind why Feliza does all of this is simple. Feliza’s motivation behind her hard work can be simply put as: “I CARE.” Her passion for improving the lives of her clients motivates her. In her own words, one of her future goals is to make sure that the FCSN SLS program is a place where everyone is happy, whether it be the clients or the staff.

FCSN’s Supported Living Services Program is all about creating independence and a meaningful life for adults with special needs. Dedicated staff members commit themselves to this cause and are remarkable individuals with caring hearts and a profound commitment to their clients’ well-being. FCSN’s Supported Living Services Program shows the power of empathy and the importance of making a difference in the lives of those who need it most. If you are interested in signing up for this program/signing up your child for this program, contact Feliza at felizah@fcsn1996.org, Vivian Chung (South Bay Living Services Program Director) at vivian@fcsn1996.org, or by telephone (408-725-8000), or Claudia Pina (East Bay Living Services Program Manager) at claudiap@fcsn1996.org, or by telephone (510-739-6900).