Department of Developmental Services (DDS), Service Access & Equity (2022 - 2023)
Funded and supported by the California Department of Developmental Services (DDS), Service Access and Equity, this project focused on increasing access to Regional Center services for Resource Parents and their youth ages 14-18.
This project addressed the disparities in POS experienced by youth with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities and/or those receiving or eligible to receive Lanterman services through a two-prong complementary approach:
Resource Parent Education regarding the pathways and strategies to secure developmental, educational and medical rights. This enabled them to advocate for the foster youths regional center and generic services.
Foster Youth Empowerment and Education on regional center services achieved by:
Individual peer mentoring by Peer Ambassador Teams consisting of a Peer Ambassador Self-Advocate and Peer Ambassador Former Foster Youth
Youth empowerment workshops and group training to prepare the youth to become self-advocates and active stakeholders in the Regional Center Services system