From 1975 into Tomorrow

Casa Allegra Community Services (CACS) is a non-profit agency that has been providing innovative support to children, adolescents and adults with developmental disabilities and their families in Marin County and San Francisco since 1975. It is our belief that each person is entitled to live his or her life with the full dignity of a developing human being as a self-reliant and productive member of society. Our primary purpose is the provision of services that center around each individual’s unique needs and that allow the person to live, go to school, or work in environments and with a life-style that is typical for all people regardless of the severity of the disability.

Casa Allegra assists 46 individuals with disabilities to live, work, volunteer, earn income and participate in their community through integrated services. CACS owns two residential long-term care homes for 12 individuals.

• We offer person centered planning
• We offer individualized support
• We offer recreational activities in the community
• We offer support to the individuals families and friends

Casa Allegra was founded in 1975 by CACS’ Executive Director, Chris Bonfiglio and her friend Eileen Falvey, when a local long-term care home was closing and five young people with significant cognitive and physical challenges were about to become homeless.

Pictured in 1975 at left: Michael B., Lisa, Eileen, Missy (1963-1993), Chris, Janette (1968-2004) and Tom. Today Michael, Lisa and Tom continue to be supported by CACS and live in our residential home settings.

In 1990 CACS started the first community-based day services program in Marin County called Pacific Diversified Services. It included wage-based employment. Within a few years it spun off as a separate agency called Pacific Diversified Services, Inc. (PDS) with a focus on wage-based employment. CACS staff and CACS Day Services participants serve on their board. A number of CACS Supported Living and Day Services participants are employed through PDS.

In 1995 CACS began Adult Day Services, community based day service and Supported Living Services. Janette Gordilla was 6-years-old when she moved into the first CACS Residential Living group home in 1975. In 1995 she became the first person in Marin County to move into her own home with a housemate in what is now known as Supported Living. With CACS as a spokesperson and the stong support of her friends, Janette was truly a pioneer. She was part of a lawsuit the sucessfully challanged In-Home Services (IHSS) to provide additional resources for people with developmental disabilities so that they could live in their own home or apartment. CACS mentors other prospective agencies who want to replicate our model of person-centered support.

In 2005, CACS began to help people start their own businesses. CACS is expanding CACS-based Income Opportunities Unlimited (IOU) customized employment service with the goal to provide income for all. Business consultant Dale Dutton designed the IOU model for CACS. With the support of CACS, Dale mentors agencies in the IOU model and has designed a business plan template that is used by other similar agencies throughout California. We are collaborating with Cedars of Marin, Cerebral Palsy Center of Oakland and ARC of San Francisco.

CACS Board of Directors

• Dale Dutton, President - Business Consultant, author, consultant to American Network of Community Options and Resources (ANCOR) and Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitative Facilities (CARF)
• Larry Mason, Vice President (Supported Living participant)
• Allen Peters, Treasurer - Director of Finance and Personnel, Family Service Agency of Marin
• Jane Scurich, Interim Secretary- Development Director SF Conservatory of Flowers
• Jacki Anderson, Board Member - Board Member Cal State East Bay, Prof. Dept. of Educational Psychology; coordinator Education Specialist Moderate-Severe Credential and Master’s Degree Program at CSU Hayward
• Cyr Miller, Board Member - Former US Dept. of Health and Human Development, Peace Corps Operations Chief, retired businessowner, retired San Rafael City Council

Finance Committee

Al Farbstein - Financial Consultant
Allen Peters - Director of Finance and Personnel, Family Service Agency of Marin
Michael Scurich - Controller Brayton Purcell

Lead Staff

Chris Bonfiglio, Executive Director
Debbie Falvey, Administrative Assistant
Socorro Gallardo, Director of Supported Living
Eny Campos, Director of Residential Services
Daniel Reichling, Director of Day Services
Kirsten Irvin, IOU Client Business Development Director
Jeanne Santangelo, Development Director
Alison Falvey, Volunteer Manager
Theresa Eisenberg, RN
Al Farbstein, Financial Consultant

Membership

ANCOR, American Network of Community Options and Resources
Cal-TASH, Advocates for Equity, Opportunity and Inclusion
DSN, Developmental Services Network
CAMEO, California Association of Microenterprise Opportunities
CDCAN, California Disability Community Action Network
CSLN, California Supported Living Network
GGRC, Golden Gate Regional Center, Advisory Committee
MPCC, Marin Paratransit Coordinating Council, Voting Member


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