Harbor Regional Center,
Los Angeles

Telephone: (562) 623-9911

Eva Casas-Sarmiento, CRA

 

Inland Regional Center,
Montclair

Telephone:  (909) 383-1133
Veronica Cervantes, CRA

I have been the Clients’ Rights Advocate for consumers of Inland Regional Center since January, 2004. Prior to my position at OCRA, I worked for other non-profit organizations whose mission is to advocate for underserved individuals/communities. I have a Juris Doctorate and a B.S. in Paralegal Studies with a minor in Spanish. I’ve enjoyed working with individuals with developmental disabilities and their families and other underrepresented communities and hope to continue to be of service to our clients

Kern Regional Center,
Bakersfield

Telephone:  (661) 327-8531 ext. 313
Mario Espinoza, CRA

Before becoming the Clients’ Rights Advocate for clients of Kern Regional Center, I worked for the Law Offices of Chain, Younger, Cohn and Stiles and the Greater Bakersfield Legal Assistance, Inc. I received my J.D. in 2004 from the San Joaquin College of Law after undergraduate at the California State University in Bakersfield where I earned a B.A degree in Political Science and Economics with a concentration in Pre-Law.

I am married to the woman of my dreams and have two children. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my family, reading, playing basketball, and skydiving. I hope to make a significant impact assisting people with disabilities to understand and exercise their rights under the law in order to develop a sense of empowerment, independence and equality.

 

Lanterman Regional Center,
Los Angeles

Telephone: (213) 427-8761
Timothy Poe, CRA

I really enjoy working with our clients and families with developmental disabilities. I find my job very rewarding. One of the most rewarding parts of my job is when I see the positive outcomes for our consumers and their families who, with legal assistance provided by OCRA, become effective self-advocates. I am currently the Clients’ Rights Advocate serving consumers of the Lanterman Regional Center. I previously served as the Clients’ Rights Advocate for consumers of other catchment areas. I also worked for over 2-years at the L.A. Regional Office for Disability Rights California as an Associate Managing Attorney.

 

North Bay Regional Center, Napa

Telephone: (707) 224-2798
Yulahlia Hernandez, CRA

After graduating from San Jose State University with a B.A. in Latin American History, I continued on to Santa Clara University School of Law to earn my J.D. and Public Interest Certificate. While in law school, I worked for Bay Area Legal Aid focusing on SSI appeals and advocacy workshops for Spanish speaking survivors of domestic violence. Also, while in law school, I had the opportunity to intern for the Northern California Innocence Project which gave me the experience to advocate for prisoners with respect to claims of innocence.

I have been working as a CRA since April of 2003. I am grateful for the opportunity to assist consumers, and to be a part of a great advocacy team!

 

North Los Angeles Regional Center

Telephone: (213) 427-8761
Ibrahim ("Bebo") K. Saab, CRA

As an individual with a developmental disability and a consumer of the Westside Regional Center, I am thrilled to join OCRA as a Clients’ Rights Advocate. It is indeed a privilege to use my professional training not only to address the significant legal issues surrounding developmental disabilities, but also to support a group of individuals with whom I share a deep affinity.

I received my B.A. in English, with high honors, from the University of California, Berkeley in 1999. I remained at Berkeley another three years to earn my Juris Doctorate from Boalt Hall. I served as President of the Boalt Disability Law Society and helped to organize a daylong symposium on cutting edge issues in disability rights law. I also served as a summer law clerk at the Western Law Center for Disability Rights. Since graduation, I have remained on WLCDR’s Young Professionals Board.

Prior to joining OCRA, I was an associate working in the commercial litigation department of a major law firm. I learned a great deal during my tenure at the firm, but I have no doubt that my position at OCRA will prove far more rewarding.

Regional Center of the East Bay

Telephone: (510) 267-1280

Arthur Lipscom, CRA

 

Regional Center of Orange County, Santa Ana

Telephone: (714) 621-0563
Jacqueline Miller, CRA

I received my Juris Doctorate degree from Whittier Law School. As a student at Whittier, I participated in the Childrens’ Rights Clinic Programs for Domestic Violence and Special Education. I furthered my desire to advocate for children with developmental disabilities as a Law Clerk for OCRA in Orange County. I was also employed by a solo practitioner Special Education attorney. In 2005, I began working as a CRA in the Orange County office, and have learned so much from working for Disability Rights California. It is with great pleasure that I am able to serve consumers of the Regional Center of Orange County!

 

Redwood Coast Regional Center,

Eureka Telephone: (707) 268-1388

Matthew O'neill, Interim CRA

Ukiah Telephone: (707) 462-3832
Jim Stoepler, CRA

My first job as an attorney was with a legal aid office in Oxnard. I quickly learned that laws can be used to help or to hurt the most vulnerable people. As a CRA, I have the opportunity to use the law to assist consumers. I consider myself fortunate to work in a small community while having ties to the statewide resources of PAI.

 

San Andreas Regional Center, San Jose

Telephone: (408) 374-2470
Rita Difilippis, CRA

I have a particular interest in special education. I graduated with a B.S. in Special Education from Cleveland State University and received my J.D. from Santa Clara University. Before coming to the Office of Clients’ Rights Advocacy, I had a private special education law practice for two years. I also worked for over 4 years as an educational advocate for Friends Outside in San Jose. Friends Outside surrounds families with support services when a family member is incarcerated. In this position, I advocated for the special education rights of children of parents with a history of incarceration. I also served as the educational advocate on the Juvenile Treatment Court team. I enjoy my position as Clients’ Rights Advocate, which I have had since February, 2008, and look forward to serving the needs of San Andreas Regional Center Clients.

San Diego Regional Center

Telephone: (619) 239-7877

Megan Chanbers, CRA

I decided to study law to help individuals with disabilities to ascertain their legal rights after working at a summer camp for individuals with disabilities in a day program with emphasis on the community for adults with developmental disabilities. While in law school, I completed an internship in Special Education Law with Legal Aid Society of San Diego and a Disability Rights California practice which focuses on mental health laws and problems of discrimination against the disabled. I strongly believe in the dignity of each individual, and I believe deeply in the power of himself and be their own advocates and help people get the support they need to live fully.

 

 

San Gabriel/Pomona Regional Center

Telephone: (909) 595-4755
Aimee Delgado, CRA

I obtained my BA in English and Political Science from Mount St. Mary’s College and then received my JD from Whittier Law School. During graduate school, I was fortunate to clerk for the Public Law Center in Orange County, Dependency Court Legal Services, and the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office Consumer Protection Division. I then had the wonderful opportunity to clerk for Protection & Advocacy, Inc. Working for PAI opened the door to an opportunity to become an advocate with the Office of Clients' Rights Advocacy.

I was born and raised in the San Gabriel Valley. Now as a Clients' Rights Advocate for San Gabriel/Pomona Regional Center, I take great pleasure in empowering both consumers and their families to advocate for their rights.

 

 

South Central Regional Center,
Los Angeles

Telephone: (323) 292-9907
Mary Melendrez, CRA

 

Tri-Counties Regional Center,
Santa Barbara

Telephone: 805-884-7218 or
1-800-322-6994, ext. 218.

Kendra McWright, CRA

Impacted by friends and a family served by the regional center system, I first began working with individuals served by the regional center as a volunteer with OCRA. Prior to becoming the CRA at Tri-Counties Regional Center and Central Valley Regional Center, I was the interim CRA at Harbor Regional Center, Regional Center of the East Bay and Valley Mountain Regional Center, as well as Tri-Counties Regional Center. I received my law degree from Santa Barbara College of Law and have family here so I am excited about the opportunity to return to the Tri-Counties area . During law school, I clerked in the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Treatment Courts and interned in the Legal Resource Center staffed by Legal Aid of Santa Barbara County.

I remain deeply committed to advocating for the rights of people with developmental disabilities and working to ensure access to public benefits, education and independence.

 

Valley Mountain RC, Stockton

Telephone: (209) 955-3329
Leinani Walter, CRA

I have a law degree from the University of Connecticut and a B.A in Philosophy from California State University Long Beach. In law school, I clerked for the Federal Public Defender and worked as a legal intern for the UCONN Disability Law Clinic - both experiences proved to be awe-inspiring. I provided Independent Living Skills training to consumers when in college and recognized then that with high quality support services, consumers can meet any of life's challenges. Prior to working for Protection & Advocacy, Inc., I worked as a VMRC Service Coordinator.

My brother Fred continues to inspire me to do good things for people. Through him, I have learned to appreciate the simple things in life. I hope that my personal and professional experience will help me to provide excellent advocacy services for consumers. Valley Mountain Regional Center.

Westside Regional Center,
Los Angeles

Telephone: (310) 258-4205
Katie Meyer, CRA

I moved to Missouri, after graduating from college in California and began my career as a case manager for children in the mental health system. I noticed that people with disabilities tend to have complicated legal issues. Because of this, I began attending law school in the evenings, and graduated from St. Louis University School of Law with a certificate in Health Law. I moved to Los Angeles in 2006 and found this great opportunity to represent consumers of regional center services.

 

OCRA Administration

Jeanne Molineaux, Director of the Office of Clients' Rights Advocacy

It is a privilege to serve as the director of OCRA and to help establish an office that I passionately believe will make a significant difference in the lives of people we serve. To this end, I bring more than 15 years of experience as a public service lawyer helping people with developmental disabilities and people living in poverty obtain their legal rights.

I have a never-ending belief in the ability of people with developmental disabilities to chart their own paths, advocate for themselves, and to teach me the proper spirit in which to work with all.

Phone: (916) 504-5942 or (800) 390-7032.

 

Alice Ximenez, Office Manager, North

My personal and professional motivation for taking on the position of administrative assistant for OCRA comes from my background and my personal goals. I enjoy organizing, public relations, and working with people to help them get what they need.

Knowing that our clients are getting what they're entitled to is rewarding in itself. People can depend on me for their needs. Although the start-up phase can be full of ups and downs, I like the challenge.


Telephone: (916)  504-5943 or (800) 390-7032

 

Maria Ortega, Office Manager, South

have been working in the private sector for over 22 years, in a secretarial/office manager capacity. I always felt a need to do something more fulfilling with my work experience. So, when the bilingual secretary/receptionist position opened at PAI, I felt that I could make a small contribution, and be part of an organization that helps people and families get past tough hurdles.

Telephone: (213) 427-8761

Gail Gresham, Supervising CRA

I came to DRC after four and a half years as supervising attorney at Patients' Rights Advocacy Services in San Francisco. In 1998, the California Association of Mental Health Patients' Rights Advocates selected me as Advocate of the Year. I teach a course in mental health law at the University of California, where I am an assistant professor. I would like everyone to know that I love DRC!

Telephone: (916) 504-5946

Irma Wagster, Supervising CRA

I have been working for DRC as a temporary, part-time advocate at the Regional Center of Orange County since December 1996. Before that, I was a staff attorney at a legal aid office representing people from poor and underserved communities. I have worked in civil litigation, family law and immigration.

In 1999, I started my work as clients's Rights Advocate serving cleints of SGPRC. I have been a SCRA since August 2001.

Telephone: (714) 750-0709

 

Katie Hornberger, Supervising CRA

I am currently a Supervising Clients’ Rights Advocate with the Office of Clients’ Rights Advocacy. I supervise CRAs throughout the state and support them on cases and community outreach. Having been with OCRA since January of 2001, I was previously the Clients’ Rights Advocate for clients of both Harbor Regional Center and North Los Angeles County Regional Center. In that capacity, I represented clients in a variety of matters including public benefits, education, regional center, and discrimination cases. I also provided community trainings.

I enjoy working with people with disabilities and have a long history of such. Prior to and periodically during law school, I taught special education. While in law school, I interned at Dependency Court Legal Services and The Alliance for Children’s Rights. I came to OCRA after practicing special education law privately.

Playing with my three dogs helps me to unwind after some of the challenging days at the office.

Telephone: (562) 623-9911

 

Kathy Mottarella, Supervising CRA

I have been working as a CRA at Tri-Counties since August 1998. For more than 20 years, I have enjoyed working with people of all ages who have developmental disabilities. My work has included many settings-public schools, state hospitals, group homes, family homes, and a residential treatment center.

I decided to become a legal advocate after working with families whose children had developmental disabilities and who needed help advocating for their rights. I graduated from Southern California Institute of Law in 1994 and am licensed to practice law in California.

Telephone: (805)  570-8171