Mission Statement: The California Collaborative for Long Term Services and Supports advocates for the dignity, health and independence of Californians regardless of age who experience disabilities, functional limitations or chronic conditions and who use long-term services and supports.
Vision: California needs a sustainable system of high-quality, cost-effective long-term services and supports that strengthen the person, their family, caregivers, circles of support, and the community at large. That system must promote the person’s well-being and social participation, promote economic independence, prevent impoverishment and remove barriers to employment.
What Are Long-Term Services and Supports: Long-term services and supports refer to a wide range of personal, medical and social/financial assistance needed by persons with functional limitations over an extended time. The services may be publicly or privately financed, delivered in a wide range of settings, and may change as the needs of the individual who uses the services change.
The Collaborative Endorses a System of Long-Term Services and Supports Based on the following Ten Principles:
- Dignity: The services are grounded in respect for the person who uses them and driven by the preferences of that person.
- Choice: Access to all types of services is provided on an equal footing.
- Flexibility: The services are comprehensive and flexible enough to meet changing needs and incorporate new modes of service and supports.
- Quality: Public funding and oversight that values and rewards high-quality care.
- Legality: The services are consistent with the legal rights of individuals who use them.
- Cultural Competence: The services are appropriate and responsive to the needs of unserved and underserved populations.
- Accessibility: The services and information about them are easy to locate and use and are physically and programmatically accessible.
- Affordability: The services are cost-effective for the person and the system.
- Inclusive: The system recognizes and supports the crucial role of high-quality paid and unpaid caregivers, including family caregivers, and emphasizes the importance of workforce development and training.
- Independence: The services support maximum independence, full social integration and quality of life.
