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.

• Fact Sheet (English)
• Fact Sheet (Spanish)

Settlement Agreements

• Settlement Agreement with Harbor Regional Center - English (pdf)
• Acuerdo de Resolución con Centro Regional de Harbor - Español (pdf)
• Settlement Agreement with Department of Developmental Services - English (pdf)
• Acuerdo de Resolución con el Departamento de Servicios de Desarrollo - Español (pdf)

Significant Documents

• Stipulated judgment as to the Department of Developmental Services
• Stipulated judgment as to Harbor Regional Center (pdf)
• Order denying Defendants’ Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings (pdf)
• Order denying Defendants’ Demurrers (pdf)
• Amended Complaint (pdf)
• Complaint (pdf)

News Releases

• Landmark Settlement Reached in Long-Fought Battle for Equitable Services for Disabled Latinx Children and Young Adults
• Acuerdo Histórico Alcanzado en la Larga Lucha por Servicios Equitativos para Niños y Jóvenes Adultos Latinx con Discapacidades
• Latinx Parents Sue to Stop Discrimination by Harbor Regional Center when serving People with Developmental Disabilities
• Familias Latinas presentan demanda contra Harbor Regional Center para poner paro a la discriminación en sus servicios para personas con discapacidades del desarrollo

News Coverage

• California spends $14 billion on people with disabilities. Why do some go without help? - 09/07/2023
• A System in Distress: Caring for Californians with Developmental Disabilities - 04/2023
• Department of Developmental Services It Has Not Ensured That Regional Centers Have the Necessary Resources to Effectively Serve Californians With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities - 06/2022
• Latinx Families Ask For Equal Services for Their Children With Disabilities - 01/27/2022
• For Spanish Speaking Families, an Uphill Battle for Special Needs Services. - 5/3/2021 California Health Report
• How Families are Fighting Racism and Disability Discrimination. - 11/9/2020 California Health Report
• California Centers that Help Those with Disabilities Spend Less on Latino Children - 6/12/2019 California Health Report
• That early help you need for your child doesn't come soon enough. - 5/29/2018 Sacramento Bee
• California agency ripped over disparities in autism spending. - 5/1/2012 Los Angeles Times
• Warrior parents fare best in securing autism services. - 12/13/2011 Los Angeles Times