Las Trampas supports adults with developmental disabilities to discover their capabilities and to lead full lives in their home, at work, and in the community. -Las Trampas Mission

Welcome to Las Trampas

Las Trampas has a longstanding, rich history of providing services to people with developmental disabilities and their families. Founded in 1958 as a non-profit residential school by parents, family, and community members, Las Trampas School, Inc. provided on-site residential and educational services to children with developmental disabilities. The school was named for the creek that runs through the beautiful, two-and-a-half acre property in Lafayette, California. As the children grew into adulthood along with progressive changes in service provisions, Las Trampas changed its mission to provide services to adults with developmental disabilities.

Currently, Las Trampas provides day program educational and vocational services, residential services, supported and independent living services throughout Central and Eastern Contra Costa County, California. These services include:

• ADP Adult Development Program
• ARM Adult Residential Model
• SLS Supported Living Services
• ILS Independent Living Services

Philosophy

It is the philosophy of Las Trampas that all persons with developmental disabilities are entitled to develop their optimum state of social, physical, and mental well-being, and share an integrated lifestyle similar to what non-disabled persons enjoy. This philosophy is based on the following beliefs:

1. All people, regardless of their individual challenges, ethnicity, or socioeconomic situation are equally valued and respected.
2. All people have the right to make choices about their personal values and lifestyle.
3. All people should have meaningful learning opportunities that are applicable to their lives.
4. All people have the right to live as self-sufficiently as possible.
5. All people should be provided with understandable and relevant information that provides the opportunity to make decisions, give input, and advocate for or against changes in their lives.

Las Trampas will make every effort to provide a lifetime of residential programs and services for those individuals we are capable of serving.

Skills Training Methodologies

Las Trampas strives to provide the highest quality of services for adults with developmental disabilities by employing evidence-based teaching methods and curriculums that meet the training needs of the individuals served by the agency. Las Trampas provides training opportunities both on-site and in the community. On-site skills training includes simulated practice of the skills learned. However, Las Trampas believes that the best learning opportunities happen in community settings where the learned skills can be utilized in real-world settings, the settings where the individuals will be expected to employ the skills learned. Methodologies employed include:

• Principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and Positive Behavioral Supports (PBS) – includes functional analyses of behavior, behavior support plans, and reward systems all customized to the individual’s needs.
• Structured Teaching– a comprehensive teaching method of developing structured physical environments, structured lessons and activities, and the use of picture icons.
• Task Analysis– a method of breaking down training activities and skills to be learned into basic, learnable steps or approximations of the entire skill set.
• Teaching Social Skills– a behavioral-based curriculum teaching individuals socially acceptable skills and behaviors to replace undesired behaviors.

Las Trampas residential buildings for children prior to 1970.

Children of Las Trampas in 1970 after the completion of the new campus.

In 1971 Las Trampas starts offsite, community-based adult residential programs.

In 1985, Las Trampas starts supported employment programs for adults with developmental disabilities.

In 1990, Las Trampas becomes a State demonstration project for Supported Living Services.

In 2000, Las Trampas implements the Adult Development Program to meet the needs of individuals with intensive support needs.

In 2007, Las Trampas starts the Independent Living Program to teach individuals the skills needed to become more independent.