Padres Buscando el Cambio v. Harbor Developmental Disabilities Foundation, Inc., et al.

A group of Latinx families known as Padres Buscando el Cambio filed litigation to fight for more services for intellectually and developmentally disabled children and young adults who rely on Harbor Regional Center. The regional center, which has offices in Torrance and Long Beach, is supposed to provide respite services, one-to-one aides, in-home supports, day programs and other services to adults and children with intellectual and developmental disabilities such as autism and cerebral palsy. The parent group is made up of families whose children’s needs have been long ignored.

During the pandemic, when schools and day programs closed, these children and their families were left with little to no help during the day. Members of Padres Buscando el Cambio say that they were overwhelmed and in need of more help from Harbor Regional Center before the pandemic. During the pandemic, Latinx families’ lack of equal access to regional center services became unbearable.

In addition to challenging the actions of Harbor Regional Center, the lawsuit also names the California Department of Developmental Services, which is responsible for ensuring its regional centers comply with the law.

Significant Documents

News Releases

News Coverage

California Health Report, 5/3/2021: For Spanish Speaking Families, an Uphill Battle for Special Needs Services. Arlene Martinez.
California Health Report, 11/9/2020: How Families are Fighting Racism and Disability Discrimination. Claudia Boyd-Barrett. Also published in the Woodland Daily Democrat.
California Health Report, 6/12/2019: California Centers that Help Those with Disabilities Spend Less on Latino Children, Report Finds. Claudia Boyd-Barrett.
Sacramento Bee, 5/29/2018: That early help you need for your child doesn't come soon enough. Jocelyn Wiener.
Los Angeles Times, 5/1/2012: California agency ripped over disparities in autism spending. Alan Zarembo.
Los Angeles Times, 12/13/2011: Warrior parents fare best in securing autism services. Alan Zarembo.