Intermediate Care Facilities

Ensuring a lifetime of compassionate support.

Stonehaven House

The Lifehouse Intermediate Care Facilities/ Developmentally Disabled Habilitative (ICF/ DDH) offer intensive support to individuals who may need medical, physical, or occupational therapies, ensuring that the most vulnerable people with developmental and intellectual disabilities (I/DD) are cared for and have the opportunity for joy in their daily lives.

Supporting individuals in the ICF program is particularly complex since many of the clients are non-verbal and/or wheelchair bound. Many of the Direct Support Professionals (DSP) in our ICF program have been with Lifehouse for 10-20 years. The bond that they have with the people they support is often like that of an extended family. This helps them successfully support their client’s overall mood, well-being, and enables them to provide the very best level of care. This is often difficult to discover from someone who is non-verbal, and possibly the most challenging part of supporting people in the ICF program. Being quick on ones feet, having patience, and understanding what the individual needs can often be lifesaving for these vulnerable individuals.

Anne Aguilar, the Qualified Intellecual Disabilities Professional (QIDP) Administrator of the ICF program says, “Everyone should be treated equally and have access to what they need to lead a life with dignity and opportunity. The best way I can advocate for that is working directly with the people in our community that need our help the most. It is not always easy, but the like-minded and truly dedicated people that I work with keep that inspiration alive.” Everyone in the ICF program continuously works to maintain vibrancy and harmony in their houses. The staff and the individuals supported are learning, growing together, and play an essential role in each other’s lives.

Nova House

Then & Now: 70 Years of Lifehouse

Celebrating the legacy of Lifehouse and the people we support.

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Danny Holderman

36 years at Lifehouse

Danny is known for his good sense of humor, passion for fitness, and the outdoors. He lives independently in a cottage in Point Reyes, where he loves to take in the coastal breeze, tend to his garden, and take care of his two hens. With the help of his direct support staff, Danny is able to manage his finances, and take weekly grocery trips. Danny is currently recovering from a successful hip surgery, and is more eager than ever to hit the trails and get back on his bike. At 64 years old, he shows no signs of slowing down!

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Greg Gazzano

48 years at Lifehouse

Greg has a charismatic smile and is very social. He and his girlfriend Cathy have lived at the Del Ganado apartments together for 36 years. Greg loves a word search and is a true sports fan. He is always listening to games on the radio and keeps up on the latest stats of his favorite Bay Area teams. Greg also enjoys participating in local sports programs through the San Rafael Lions Club and the Special Olympics. To further his independence, Greg is working on becoming more assertive, and advocating for himself with the help of his direct support staff.

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Johnny Wall

39 years at Lifehouse

Johnny is one of those people that gets recognized just about anywhere he goes. He has a great sense of humor, and is a social butterfly, making him a prominent figure in his community. He has several hobbies that include painting, swimming, yoga, and going to the movies or dinner outings with friends. Johnny is honest and outspoken, which makes him a great self-advocate. With a sharp memory and empathetic nature, he is beloved by his friends and family.

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Julie Burnett

40 years at Lifehouse

Julie is in the Lifehouse Supported Living Program and has been living at the Del Ganado apartments independently for more than two decades. She seems reserved at first, but likes to joke around, and laugh with her friends and support staff. Julie has a creative streak, and likes to spend much of her time weaving. Her handwoven placemats are available for purchase at the Artist Within Gallery in San Anselmo. With the help of her support staff, Julie set a goal to start learning how to bake this summer.

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Doreen Ramirez

36 years at Lifehouse

Doreen is very proud of her independence. She is currently focused on her fitness and is proud of the improvement she has made on her overall health. Her direct support staff help her stay on track by going on daily walks together which she always looks forward to. Doreen enjoys working on art projects and being creative. On occasion she loves to attend social engagements at her local church.

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Meredith Lloyd

46 years at Lifehouse

Meredith’s family history with Lifehouse dates back to 1978 when the Lloyd’s helped establish the ‘Little Schoolhouse’ as one of the first special education programs in Marin County. Fast-forward to 2024, Meredith has lived independently in her own apartment for three years with the help of her direct support staff. She takes great pride in having a place of her own. Her hobbies include drawing, listening to music and dancing. Meredith and her friends love celebrating life events like birthdays, and make plans to get together when they can. Meredith also loves getting out and about in her community, and regularly trying new restaurants with friends.

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The Lifehouse Effect

A Parent Story: Marc Elias

My son Peter was born in 1979. Although small, he seemed fine until he turned one and had his first asthma attack. Over the next 3 years he was hospitalized with asthma or pneumonia a dozen times. At the age of 4, the asthma stopped and my wife Ann and I were hopeful that he would have a healthy future ahead.

Everything changed when Peter was 5 ½ and started having headaches. He had a CT Scan that revealed a massive brain tumor in his right frontal lobe, so we prepared ourselves for Peter to go into surgery. Half of the tumor was deemed inoperable and the doctor said Peter likely had 5 years to live, with a 2 –10 year window.

We were shattered. Our world changed. It was difficult to simply take one step in front of the other. I felt helpless and felt that if we lost Peter, I would go too.

Every year since then seemed like a milestone, and it was immensely challenging. Five years turned into 10 years, and although developmentally delayed, Peter was a happy boy. It was clear though that he could not take care of himself as an adult.

As a parent of a child with developmental disabilities, finding a place like Lifehouse has been a true blessing. Under the compassionate guidance of Mike Sus and his dedicated staff, Peter has thrived in an environment that fosters independence, growth, and dignity. With the support of Lifehouse, he is active in his community and has a life of his own. This year Peter turned 45 and is thriving. Peter loves his family so much, especially his 2 sisters, his niece, and nephew.

The programs and housing that Lifehouse offers have helped Peter and so many others in our community. I am continually amazed by the unwavering commitment and passion that Nancy Dow Moody, my wife Ann Elias, and the entire Lifehouse team demonstrate in their work. Their dedication to improving the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities is truly commendable and has made a significant difference in our family’s lives. The hard work, compassion, and dedication does not go unnoticed, and I am immensely grateful for everything that the organization does for my son and the community as a whole.

A Full Life

Meet Sallie

Sallie has called Lifehouse home for eight years and is in the Supported Living Program (SLP). This program is perfect for her since it gives her the tools and life skills she needs to be as independent as possible.  

Sallie is full of life and loves goofing around and making people laugh. Her favorite person to get a smile out of is her boyfriend Mark. They have been together for eight years. Some of her hobbies include hiking, going to the beach, and playing table tennis. She is a total shark on the court, and she was in the winner’s circle at her most recent tournament!

When Sallie isn’t palling around with friends, she is hard at work. With the support of the local non-profit, People with Disabilities Succeeding (PDS), Sallie works two jobs. The PDS Integrated Work and Community Inclusion Program helps her maintain her job at Woodlands Market for the past 11 years, as well as a position as a crossing guard during the school year for the past seven years. She takes great pride in her work, and loves the opportunity to be out and about in her community.

Sallie has lots of goals for her life, including to live more independently and be less reliant on others by practicing the life skills she has learned from Lifehouse. She also wants people to see that she has a warm heart and a good mind. Her message to the community is that people should accept individuals with developmental disabilities and welcome them into their lives.