Attention all regional center clients in the Central Valley: Join the Office of Clients' Rights Advocacy in-person Wednesday, November 15 for a conference and resource fair! 

What You will Learn:

The Office of Clients’ Rights Advocacy, a unit of Disability Rights California, invites all regional center clients, their families, and others in their circle of support to join us as we cultivate power and knowledge about disability rights and services in the Central Valley. We all can support each other as we navigate challenging systems, like regional centers, school districts, mental health departments, and programs like Medi-Cal and Social Security. Come learn, be energized, and have fun with us!

Special note for all people served by regional center day programs, group homes, and schools and colleges: Gather with your peers and come in groups! We will have sessions exclusively for regional center clients on self-advocacy topics like emergency preparedness and clients’ rights Bingo. There is also an education center and museum you can tour to learn all about the food that grows in the Central Valley. We will have music and art and resource vendors to share information.  

Registration and Vendor Set Up (Everyone Together) 8:00 AM to 9:30 AM

Session Topics

Welcome and Changing a Culture of “No” to “Yes We Can!” (Everyone Together) 9:30 AM to 10:45 AM

Description:
Join OCRA to kick off this exciting day! A panel of disability community leaders including local regional center clients, family members, elected officials, and others will talk about disparities in regional center spending based on race and ethnicity. You will also learn about what is being done to make the spending more fair and how you can make a difference.

Morning Sessions (Choose One to Attend) 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM

• Individual Program Plans (IPP): Steps for Asking for Regional Center Services

  Description:
  Learn about the importance of the regional center Individual Program Plan (IPP) process. We will also explain the different kinds of regional center services available to children and adults such as respite, behavior therapy, social recreational activities, and independent living services. You will also learn what to do if the regional center denies your request for services.

• Services for Transition-Aged Youth

  Description:
  Learn how different agencies (school districts, Department of Rehabilitation, regional centers) can help young people with disabilities as they move into adult life. The training will also review pre-employment transition services available to students with disabilities as well as their right to competitive integrated employment.

• A Session Exclusively for Clients - All About Preparing for an Emergency 

  Description: 
  In this session regional center clients (and support staff) will learn how to put together a first aid kit and make an evacuation plan, so you are ready in case of an emergency.  

• All About the Regional Center Community Navigator Program

  Description:
  This training will explain how regional center community navigators can help regional center clients from traditionally underserved groups get services and supports from public agencies.   

Lunch and Entertainment (Everyone Together) 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM

Afternoon Sessions (Choose One to Attend ) 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM

• Planning for Individual Education Plan (IEP) Meetings

  Description:
  This presentation will be an overview of your basic rights to special education services.

  You will also learn about:

  • The Individual Education Plan (IEP) process.
  • Important timelines for getting the special education services your child needs from school districts.
  • Practical tips to prepare for an IEP meeting.

• Public Safety for Regional Center Clients in the Community and with Police Interactions

  Description:
  Come learn ways to help people with disabilities stay safe in their communities. You will also learn how to stay safe during stressful situations with the police. 

• A Session Exclusively for Clients – A Bingo Game All About Clients’ Rights

  Description:
  Join us for a fun session of Clients’ Rights Bingo. We will talk about what is OCRA, your rights, and how to exercise your rights responsibly.

• Drop-In Legal Clinic Appointments:  Bring Us Your Questions About Disability Rights and Services 

  Description:
  Do you need help with Social Security, In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS), Medi-Cal, special education, housing and/or employment? COME ON IN! Schedule a one-to-one intake with a Disability Rights California advocate or attorney.  

  Please note: During this session advocates will provide general information and referrals only. We will set future appointments for more specific legal advice as appropriate and depending on agency resources. This session is not a promise to provide legal representation.

Closing Session (Everyone Together) 3:30 PM to 4:00 PM

• Raffle and Sharing What We Learned, What We Take With Us

  Description:
  Volunteers from the morning and afternoon sessions will share a story or comment of what they learned or take with them to cultivate power, strength, and energy in the Central Valley Disability Community. Raffle winners will be announced! 

Resource Fair 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM (All day)

This fair will focus on services and supports available in the Central Valley.

Vendors: If you’re interested in participating in our resource fair, please contact Elizabeth Campos for more information.