DIALOGUE A Quarterly Publication of the Regional Center of Orange County VOLUME 39 NO. 1 • WINTER 2025
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Adult Family Home Agency Success: Sean Deffebach and the Popely Family IN ORANGE COUNTY AND STATEWIDE, LESS THAN ONE PERCENT OF ADULTS SERVED BY REGIONAL CENTERS LIVE IN ADULT FAMILY HOME AGENCY (AFHA) HOMES. AFHAs are residential options where one or two adults with developmental disabilities live in a family’s personal home, much like biological family members would. Not surprisingly, this is a very desirable option, both for individuals who desire to live permanently in a family setting and those who might wish to eventually live on their own but aren’t ready for supported living or independent living. The process for matching the family with Sean focused first on ensuring they could meet his needs, but also took into account personal compatibility and preferences. In RCOC’s experience, there is more interest in AFHAs than there are spaces available. Cheryl and Steve Popely, who have opened their Mission Viejo home to two young men served by RCOC, hope that sharing their story might encourage others to do the same. And, in doing so, experience the joy and fulfillment they have realized – first, decades ago, as adoptive parents, later as caregivers for seniors with Alzheimer’s disease, and currently as AFHA caregivers for Sean Deffebach – a bright and outgoing 29-year-old with cerebral palsy — and one other young man served by RCOC. The Popelys, who operate under the supervision of AFHA service provider Community Support Solutions (CSS), became familiar with the PAGE 1 • DIALOGUE • WINTER 2025 • RCOCDD.COM
Pictured (L-R): Steve Popely, Sean Deffebach, Cheryl Popely and RCOC Service Coordinator Deici Gonzalez-Tovar Regional Center system because one of their eight adopted children has autism. Over the years, they became involved with others in the developmental disabilities community who Cont. on Page 7