Breaking Barriers Services
Breaking Barriers’ Program Design allows for various services to be provided to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. These services include but are not limited to a community emersion program, tailor services, customized employment, Paid Internship Program (PIP). Within the community emersion program, Breaking Barriers looks to assist individuals in increasing vocational skills, education goals, and/or community involvement through volunteer opportunities. This service is typically offered at a 1:3 ratio. In regards to customized employment, Breaking Barriers looks to assist individuals in obtaining paid employment within their communities. To achieve this, Breaking Barriers will utilize Westside Regional Centers paid internship program, the Department of Rehabilitation, and develop relationships with businesses and organizations in the community. This service is typically offered at a 1:1 ratio. Breaking Barriers recognizes that each situation is unique and is open to alternative support structures. These services will be provided in the natural environment to achieve maximum success.
Regional Center Vendor Info
Interested in receiving services through Breaking Barriers? Speak with your Regional Center Service Coordinator to get started.
Regional Vendor Numbers: PW7989 and PW8147 Service Codes 532 and 531. Self Determination Program Code 331.
Private Pay
Breaking Barriers Services is dedicated to empowering adults with developmental disabilities to achieve their goals through personalized, person-centered support. We believe every individual deserves a fair opportunity to succeed, and with the right guidance, they can. In addition to serving Regional Center clients, we also welcome private pay individuals, including those not enrolled in a Regional Center or residing out of state who prefer to pay privately.
Tailored Day Program
Our Tailored Day Program is offered at a 1:1 ratio. This service is for individuals that need a flexible schedule. The days, hours, and length of time is determined by the person supported. Tailored Services are used to work on educational goals, vocational goals, and/or to increase skills in living a more independent and inclusive life.
This individualized support allows participants to take ownership of their goals, whether it’s preparing for employment, enrolling in educational programs, or learning essential life skills such as money management, cooking, and navigating public transportation. By working alongside a dedicated staff member, individuals receive consistent guidance and real-time feedback in environments that matter most, at home, in the community, or on the job.
At Breaking Barriers, we believe in building on each person’s strengths rather than focusing on limitations. Tailored Services are rooted in person-centered planning, allowing individuals to pursue meaningful experiences and participate more fully in their communities. With flexibility, compassion, and a focus on real-world outcomes, this service supports personal growth, independence, and long-term success.
Community Integration
Our Community Integration Program is offered at a 1:3 ratio. This service provides individuals the opportunity to build vocational, educational, and social skills through structured community-based activities. Each day is thoughtfully designed to promote engagement, foster independence, and encourage meaningful participation in real-world environments.
Participants are supported in accessing local resources such as libraries, job centers, volunteer sites, and recreational programs while working toward personalized goals. Through group interactions, they develop communication, teamwork, and decision-making skills that prepare them for greater community inclusion and self-reliance.
Breaking Barriers also offers virtual participation options for those who feel more comfortable attending from home. Whether in-person or remote, Community Integration helps individuals grow in confidence, deepen their connections, and take an active role in shaping their future within the community.
Paid Internship Program (PIP)
Breaking Barriers and Peer Mental Health have partnered to create a groundbreaking pipeline for employment success through the Paid Internship Program (PIP), powered by the Peer Mental Health Academy. This joint initiative blends hands-on training, mentorship, and subject matter expert instruction with support from top universities including USC, CSUN, Syracuse University, and Woodbury University. The collaborative model equips participants with real-world experience, industry-relevant skills, and certifications that support sustainable, meaningful employment.
Participants receive training in high-demand fields such as music, film, art, journalism, animation, photography and videography, social media marketing, AI generalist roles, coding, web design, and SEO. All instruction is led by working professionals, with certification provided in partnership with academic and industry leaders.
By connecting rigorous training with inclusive, community-based job placements, the program helps individuals gain confidence, build practical skills, and transition into long-term employment. Together, Breaking Barriers and Peer Mental Health are redefining workforce development through a model rooted in equity, creativity, and purpose.
Customized Employment
Our Customized Employment Program is designed to help individuals with disabilities secure meaningful work by identifying roles that align with their unique strengths, talents, and goals. In line with the U.S. Department of Labor’s definition, this service may involve job carving, self-employment, entrepreneurial pathways, or the restructuring of existing roles to create a personalized fit within the workforce.
Each participant is paired with a dedicated Vocational Specialist who conducts a strengths-based assessment and provides hands-on support with resume building, interview preparation, benefits planning, and the development of a personal network. For those pursuing self-employment, we offer strategic guidance in business planning, operations, and long-term sustainability.
By focusing on individualized job development and advocacy, Breaking Barriers ensures that each opportunity is not only attainable—but meaningful. Our goal is to create employment outcomes that reflect the true potential of every job seeker and promote inclusive hiring practices across industries.
Self-Determination Program (SDP)
Our Self-Determination Program (SDP) Services empower individuals with developmental disabilities to take control of their support services through a flexible, person-centered approach. Under California’s Department of Developmental Services (DDS), SDP participants receive an individualized budget, based on their previous year of regional center-funded services or projected needs, that they can use to purchase supports aligned with their goals.
Breaking Barriers assists participants in navigating the SDP by helping to develop their Individual Program Plan (IPP), coordinating with Financial Management Services (FMS) providers, and connecting them with Independent Facilitators. We support access to a wide range of services including vocational training, community integration, and educational supports, each tailored to the participant’s unique vision.
By choosing Breaking Barriers as your SDP provider, you gain a partner committed to autonomy, dignity, and meaningful community involvement. We believe that with the right guidance, every person can design a life rooted in purpose, opportunity, and self-direction.
Behavioral Services
Our Behavioral Services are designed to support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) in developing positive behaviors, improving communication, and enhancing social-emotional well-being. Services are overseen by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) who works closely with each participant, their support team, and family to develop a personalized Behavior Support Plan (BSP) based on functional assessments and observed needs.
Plans may target a range of goals, including behavior modification, socialization, emotional regulation, daily living skills, and relationship-building, all delivered in the most natural and least restrictive environments. Our behavior technicians provide consistent, data-informed support, ensuring progress is monitored and goals are adjusted as individuals grow.
Breaking Barriers takes a compassionate, evidence-based approach to behavioral intervention, one that respects autonomy while promoting skill-building and lasting outcomes. With the right support, every person has the capacity to thrive, connect, and live with dignity.
