Array
(
    [0] => Array
        (
            [id] => 15
            [date] => 2021-02-03
            [status] => Active
            [new] => 
            [title] => ACC's AT coordinator assists a consumer with obtaining a toilet riser
            [author] => Anonymous
            [article] => 
ACC's Assistive Technology Coordinator, Tamarr Paul, assisted one of our consumers, Beth, in obtaining a toilet riser. Check out the video above to hear Beth speak about how this is going to assist her. 



        )

    [1] => Array
        (
            [id] => 19
            [date] => 2021-02-03
            [status] => Active
            [new] => 
            [title] => We are a preparedness team!
            [author] => Nathan Lungu
            [article] => 
“Moving into my own place for the first time in two years I may have forgotten the importance of being ready for any possible disaster that may arise and unfortunately a little unprepared. The teachings of safety and preparedness from my own parents went over my head as I was more focused on moving into my place than the dangers that can always come up unexpectedly. I was thankful to have ACC with a team of well-prepared and knowledgeable staff to help cover the things I had forgotten.  Lauren Utterback went out of her way to bring me extra face masks and gloves during this uncertain time amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. With her help I was able to leave my home with a feeling of being better prepared to stay safe and healthy. Also, her help with putting together a list of emergency contacts and doctor information is now easily readable and hangs on my fridge for anyone that may need it in a hurry. Her suggestions for putting together an ‘emergency preparedness kit’ and the items to include helped me tremendously through a process I started to feel overwhelmed by. I now know I have a team I can go to for anything relating to preparation and safety among a list of other services they provide. 

"Thank you, Lauren, and thank you ACC”

-Nathan Lungu, Consumer of Lauren Utterback, Independent Living Advocate 

        )

    [2] => Array
        (
            [id] => 29
            [date] => 2021-08-30
            [status] => Active
            [new] => 
            [title] => A Housing Consumer Success Story
            [author] => Petra Lowen, Community Living Advocate
            [article] => 
Our Community Living Advocate in Santa Barbara has worked with a consumer since 2017. He has been homeless since that time, sometimes sleeping on a couch at a friend’s apartment, sometimes sleeping in his car or just on the street. In 2017 we helped him sign up for all the waiting lists for subsidized housing that he was eligible for. We explained that the wait is typically several years long. We always let him know when a new opportunity for affordable housing came up. Finally in March of 2021 the consumer had reached the top of the City of Santa Barbara Housing Authority section 8 waiting list and received a voucher. This was a major milestone but the housing market in Santa Barbara is currently extremely tight, meaning there are very few apartments available that are under the current housing standard of $2015 for a 1-bedroom apartment. The ACC made multiple housing referrals from rental lists. Then the consumer on his own found a landlord who was willing to accept his voucher. Unfortunately, the Housing Authority turned it down because it did not meet their criteria. By this point, two months had passed and the Housing Authority gave him a 2-month extension. The ACC made more housing referrals. Then the consumer received a call that there was an opening at the Bradley Studios, a property built by the Housing Authority. The consumer was familiar with the property and was more than happy to accept the offer. He moved into the apartment in late June and is now more or less settled. He finally has stability in his life and can take care of several pressing health issues that require him to have secure housing for recovery. It has made a huge difference in his life.

        )

)
1