The State of IDD In-Home Care in Pomona: What the Numbers Reveal — and How OneWell Health Care Is Responding

Pomona reflects many of the strengths — and systemic challenges — seen across the broader Los Angeles County IDD landscape. Families support one another across multigenerational households, cultural traditions remain deeply rooted, and communities show remarkable resilience. Yet for individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD), accessing consistent, meaningful, and independence-focused in-home care services remains a multifaceted challenge.

Demand continues to rise, but providers often struggle to deliver care that is structured, reliable, and aligned with each individual’s daily routines. As an IDD-focused **home health care provider**, OneWell Health Care has seen these gaps firsthand.

In Pomona, OneWell Health Care’s work is centered around Supported Living Services (SLS), an independence-focused model designed to help individuals with IDD build meaningful routines, strengthen daily skills, and live confidently within their chosen homes.

This framing speaks not only to the service provided but to the philosophy guiding that service — one rooted in empowerment, dignity, and long-term stability.

Pomona’s IDD Landscape: A Community With Intensifying Support Needs

1. A Substantial and Diverse IDD Population

Pomona and the greater San Gabriel Valley region support thousands of individuals living with IDD. For many of these individuals, independence is possible — but only with support models that prioritize:

• Skill development
• Daily structure
• Safety inside and outside the home
• Decision-making and advocacy
• Emotional and behavioral stability

This is exactly what SLS is designed to do. But SLS only succeeds when staffing is stable, communication is transparent, and providers understand the nuances of local community contexts.

2. Cultural and Linguistic Realities Matter

Over 70% of Pomona identifies as Hispanic or Latino, which shapes not only community identity but care expectations. Families consistently highlight the importance of:

• Bilingual caregivers
• Culturally aware communication
• Respect for family dynamics
• Flexible routines built around household rhythms

In SLS — where caregivers often support individuals for extended periods directly within their homes — these cultural competencies become essential, not optional.

3. Social Determinants Increase Reliance on Home-Based Support

Barriers such as transportation limitations, economic stress, and limited access to disability-friendly community spaces mean that in-home care services often serve as the primary support system. SLS, in particular, becomes the foundation that allows individuals to live safely and meaningfully within settings they choose.

The Workforce Crisis Directly Impacting SLS Delivery in Pomona

California’s caregiving workforce is under strain. But for SLS, the stakes are even higher — because this service requires consistency, relationship-building, and deep understanding of IDD needs.

1. DSP Shortages Affect Service Availability

Pomona families and regional center teams consistently report long wait times between authorization and service initiation. Common causes include:

• Fewer DSPs entering the IDD field
• High burnout rates among caregivers
• Limited access to ongoing training
• Providers unable to maintain stable staffing pools

For SLS, these shortages translate into delayed independence, disrupted routines, and heightened family stress.

2. High Turnover Undermines Progress

SLS depends on stability. When caregivers change frequently, individuals often experience:

• Setbacks in skill development
• Emotional distress or behavioral escalation
• Loss of trust in the care model
• Difficulty maintaining safety routines

Turnover hits SLS harder than almost any other IDD service because routines and relationships are central to successful outcomes.

3. Families Absorb the Burden When Providers Cannot Staff

Many families already manage:

• Employment
• Medical care coordination
• Behavioral supports
• Transportation
• Multiple caregiving responsibilities

When SLS shifts go unstaffed, families are forced to fill the gap, often at the cost of their own stability.

What Pomona Families Are Saying About SLS Challenges

Across Pomona, families share similar concerns:

1. “We’re approved for SLS, but no one can start the case.”

This delay is one of the most significant barriers to independence.

2. “Our caregiver changed again — routines keep falling apart.”

Consistency is essential. Without it, individuals lose progress or disengage.

3. “We need more communication and faster responses.”

Both families and regional center partners emphasize the need for transparency.

4. “SLS should feel personal, not procedural.”

SLS is not task-oriented care. It must reflect the individual:

• Their sensory needs
• Their communication style
• Their goals
• Their cultural environment
• Their preferred routines

Anything less fails to deliver the true value of SLS.

How OneWell Health Care Is Responding: An SLS Model Built for Pomona’s Realities

OneWell Health Care approaches SLS in Pomona with a clear mission: to deliver **in-home care services** that genuinely support independence. Not theoretically — but in the daily, practical, lived experience of the individuals receiving services.

1. A Dedicated SLS Staffing Pipeline for Pomona

OneWell invests directly in:

• Recruiting DSPs with IDD experience
• Providing behavior-aware and routine-based training
• Building a staffing pool specifically for Pomona neighborhoods

This targeted approach increases consistency and reduces delays in service initiation.

2. Person-Centered Plans Structured Around Daily Life

Each individual receives SLS built around:

• Morning and evening routines
• Meal preparation and household skills
• Community navigation
• Budgeting and decision-making
• Communication preferences
• Safety and awareness

Instead of fitting individuals into rigid agency structures, OneWell shapes SLS around the life the person already lives — and the life they want to build.

3. Culturally and Linguistically Aligned Support

Recognizing Pomona’s demographic reality, OneWell prioritizes:

• Spanish-speaking DSP availability
• Cultural responsiveness
• Family collaboration
• Respect for shared households

This alignment ensures SLS is not only effective but trusted.

4. Structured Communication That Builds Stability

OneWell maintains consistent communication with:

• Families
• Regional center service coordinators
• Supervisors
• DSPs

This prevents the breakdowns that families have historically reported and supports long-term trust.

5. A Retention-Focused DSP Model

Retention matters more in SLS than anywhere else. OneWell strengthens retention through:

• Supportive supervision
• Ongoing training
• Clear expectations
• Regular check-ins
• A positive agency culture

Stable DSPs create stable routines — the foundation of independence.

Looking Ahead: Strengthening SLS Access Across Pomona

Pomona is a community full of resilience, pride, and commitment — especially among families supporting individuals with IDD. SLS should reflect that strength. It should be accessible, consistent, and tailored to the unique rhythms of each individual’s life.

OneWell Health Care’s SLS-focused approach is designed to meet Pomona’s evolving needs by delivering in-home care services that truly uphold the promise of Supported Living Services: empowering individuals to live safely, confidently, and independently in the place they call home.