Fairview Developmental Center

Fairview Developmental Center (FDC), located on 114 acres of state-owned land in Orange County, opened in 1959 and serves people with developmental and intellectual disabilities.FDC is one of four State-operated facilities within the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) and is a multi-disciplinary, service-oriented residential facility licensed by the California Department of Public Health. FDC provides general acute care, skilled nursing care, intermediate care, and acute crises services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Admissions to FDC require a court order and are limited to the Southern STAR acute crisis center for individuals requiring short-term treatment and stabilization in order to return to their home in the community.

Services provided within the FDC community occur on a continuum and include 24-hour health care supervision, a structured medical, nursing and social/behavioral environment and a habilitation program designed to enhance their independence and life skills. Services also include training in daily living, vocational skill development, leisure, academic advancement, communication, mobility, socialization and community integration, both on campus and in community settings.

Additional Information


Public Information & Tour Arrangements

In order to preserve the privacy and dignity of individuals living at the DC, general tours for individuals and the public are not available. Educational tours are available at the discretion of the Executive Director. For public information, or to schedule a tour, please call 714-957-5000. Members of the media who would like a tour should complete and submit the Media Access Request and Agreement form or email pio@dds.ca.gov.

Infection Control Officer: In accordance with requirements of California Health and Safety Code (HSC) Section 1797.188(d), the Infection Control Officer for Fairview Developmental Center can be reached at 714-957 5186. For after hours, contact the Assistant Coordinator of Nursing Services at 714-957-5244.


History

Fairview Developmental Center (FDC) officially opened on January 5, 1959, under the name of Fairview State Hospital. It is located in Costa Mesa, California, a city that is the cultural and commercial center of Orange County. Originally, FDC occupied 752 acres and in 1979, much of the original land transferred to the city of Costa Mesa. FDC‘s beautiful park-like campus sits surrounded on three sides by a 36-hole golf course, built on land sold to the city. Facilities within this community include a work activity center, auditorium, park, recreational campsite and library. Plans are in place to create an outdoor music park. The climate in Costa Mesa is mild, with ocean breezes making FDC a very pleasant place to live and work.

Admissions to FDC require a court order and are limited to the Southern STAR acute crisis center for individuals requiring short-term treatment and stabilization in order to return to their home in the community.

Services provided within the FDC community occur on a continuum and include 24-hour health care supervision, a structured medical, nursing and social/behavioral environment and a habilitation program designed to enhance their independence and life skills. Services also include training in daily living, vocational skill development, leisure, academic advancement, communication, mobility, socialization and community integration, both on campus and in community settings.


Philosophy

All human beings have value and are part of the wealth and richness of our human family. People do not lose their inherent value because of a disability. The men and women who live at FDC have strengths and abilities that make them the unique individuals they are. The FDC commitment is to afford each resident a safe and nurturing environment where opportunities for growth, realization, self-expression and goal achievement is celebrated. FDC strives to empower individuals to be as self-reliant as their skills, strengths, perseverance and abilities allow.


Program Description

Fairview Developmental Center (FDC) provides services to individuals who require General Acute Care (GAC), Skilled Nursing Care (SNF) and Intermediate Care for the Developmentally Disabled (ICF-DD). There are three residential programs. Each residential program operates under the administration of an appointed Program Director. Following is a summarized description of the services provided:

Individuals served in Program 2 have a diagnosed medical and/or physical condition that requires a greater intensity of nursing care and medical intervention. Many clients served in this environment have multiple physical disabilities and nursing care needs. Those served in this medical nursing program require assistance in daily living and ongoing management of chronic and/or multiple health conditions. Clients served require assistance in all areas of personal care. Most individuals require the use of adaptive equipment and/or staff support /assistance for transfer and mobility needs.

Program 3 serves clients with moderate to severe behavioral challenges. One residence is co-educational. Services provided focus on improving communication skills, team partnership and group participation, appropriate interaction, learning new positive replacement behaviors and developing functional coping and stress management skill.

  • Southern STAR (Acute Crisis Center)Under the administration of Program 3, the Southern STAR (Stabilization, Training, Assistance, and Reintegration) provides short-term crisis stabilization for up to five individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Individuals are admitted pursuant to the California Welfare and Institutions (WIC) Code Article 1 (commencing with 6500) of Chapter 2 of Part 2 of Division 6 due to an acute crisis, pursuant to Section 4418.7.The Southern STAR treatment team provides mental health and behavioral treatment for severe psychiatric and behavioral conditions in a home-like setting while maintaining and enhancing independent living skills, vocational and leisure skills and coping communication skills. The goal of the acute crisis center is to provide person-centered treatment that will expedite the person’s return either to their prior residence or a more suitable community-based residential setting.

Program 4 provides an array of services to individuals with intellectual disabilities. Training, interaction and engagement, intervention, treatment and care are provided on a continuous basis. Primarily, the individuals served have moderate to profound intellectual disabilities, are of adult age and have multiple challenges in the adaptive skill area. There are four residential units within this Program. One of the units provides co-educational services and focuses on the needs of older adults and those with similar needs. Individuals served have various levels and range of ability, including those with behavioral challenges and involvement. The goal of the program is to provide individualized services that assist in developing independence in the areas of social, leisure, work, life and positive behavioral skills.

  • Central Program Services (CPS) coordinates facility wide educational, vocational, religious and recreational services at FDC. CPS includes: Special Education, Adult Training and Habilitation, Vocational Services, Speech Pathology, Audiology, Special Arts, Special Activities, Special Olympics, Chaplaincy Services, Beauty Shop, Barber Shop, Volunteer Services, the Foster Grandparent/Senior Companion Program, Resource Center and the Greenhouse Project.


Language Assistance Services

Fairview maintains a language assistance policy and provides language assistance services for residents and families in accordance with Section 1259 of the California Health and Safety Code (Assembly Bill 389, Chapter 327, Statutes of 2015). To find out more about language services that are available, please click on the following link:


Job Opportunities

Fairview Developmental Center (FDC) is a California State civil service employer. In order to be considered for a position at FDC, you must have eligibility on a State of California hiring list or be a current or former State of California employee. To obtain eligibility on the hiring list you must apply for and successfully compete in an examination process. Applications and examination announcements can be downloaded at State Personnel Board or can be obtained by calling 714-957-5255.

FDC is designated as a National Roster Internship Program through the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA). Interns complete their clinical training under the supervision of a Board Certified Music Therapist at the facility. The internship is the final step in attaining a degree in Music Therapy. Upon completion of the internship, which is approximately six months in length, the individual is qualified to sit for the board certification examination through the Certification Board for Music Therapists, Inc. Any student who is interested in applying for the Music Therapy internship program should request information by calling 714-957-5230.

The Social Work Field Internship is committed to providing high quality training in social work. The agency provides rich clinical exposure and opportunities for students to gain experience in individual case work/counseling, group work, teaching independent living skills and case management.

Through supervision and direct consumer contact, interns are offered comprehensive experience and quality social work training that instructs them in assessment, treatment, consultation, case management and consumer advocacy. The program accepts social work undergraduate and graduate interns. More information on Social Work Internships can be obtained by calling 714-957-5688.

The Foster Grandparent Program offers men and women an opportunity to share their love, wisdom and support with children and adolescents with developmental disabilities or mental health needs. Foster Grandparents are 55 years or older, have a limited income, volunteer 15 to 40 hours a week, provide support, guidance, mentoring, and individualized instruction. Children and adolescents 22 years of age and under receive a warm, caring adult who understands and accepts them; encouragement and confidence; personalized assistance; and individualized instruction. The Senior Companion Program offers men and women an opportunity to share their time and talents. Senior Companions are 55 years or older, have a limited income, volunteers 15 to 40 hours a week, provide friendship, companionship, and individualized instruction. Adults with developmental disabilities or mental health needs receive a warm, caring friend; encouragement and confidence; personalized assistance; and individualized instruction. Foster Grandparents and Senior Companions receive:

  • A tax exempt stipend;
  • One meal stipend provided while on duty;
  • Paid holidays;
  • Earned sick and vacation time; and
  • An annual health appraisal

For more information, contact the Foster Grandparent/Senior Companion Coordinator at 714-957-5197.


Location & Directions

Fairview Developmental Center is located in Orange County, California near the San Diego Freeway (405) and Costa Mesa Freeway (55) in the city of Costa Mesa

From the San Diego Freeway (405)

  • Take the 405 Freeway to the Harbor Boulevard exit
  • Proceed south on Harbor Boulevard
  • Fairview is approximately two miles ahead on the right

From Costa Mesa Freeway (55)

  • Take the Santa Ana Freeway (5) to the 55 Freeway southbound
  • Exit at Fair Drive
  • Pass Harbor Boulevard into Fairview

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Last modified: December 6, 2022