Join us for a live virtual conference.

Parents, caregivers, and individuals with disabilities, join us on Zoom March 11-14th, 2024 for our Winter Virtual Conference: Advocating for and with Our Loved Ones. Spanish interpretation will be provided.

Auto Captions, ASL Interpreter and Spanish Interpreter Available

What You will Learn:

Parents, family members, and other caregivers are invited to join us to learn more about how to advocate for our loved ones. Teens and adults with disabilities are encouraged to join alongside their caregivers to learn about your rights and how to self-advocate.

Join us in the morning to learn about Special Education, Regional Center, and IHSS Basics.

In the evening, teens and adults with disabilities are encouraged to join with their caregivers to learn about the Transition to Adulthood, the Regional Center Self-Determination Program, and Alternatives to Conservatorship.

Everyone is welcome to join us Thursday evening for a final chance to ask your questions about any topic covered during the week. 

Mix and match sessions from the two tracks or join just the ones you need.

Conference Schedule:

Monday, March 11

Morning Session:
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

• Special Education Basics
  Speaker: Lauren-Ashley Mendez

Does your child need more support at school? Learn about 504 plans and Individualized Education Programs (IEP), how to advocate for your child in IEP and 504 meetings, and the services your child can receive.

Evening Session:
5:30 PM - 7:30 PM

• Transition to Adulthood
  Speaker: Lisa Navarro

Are you or your loved one turning 18 soon? Learn how your school, the Department of Rehabilitation (DOR), and the regional center should help you prepare for adult life and reach your goals.

Tuesday, March 12

Morning Session:
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

• In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) Basics
  Speaker: Lizette Gomez

Does your loved one need support to safely live at home? Learn about eligibility for In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS), how to get the hours of IHSS you need, and your appeal rights.

Evening Session:
5:30 PM - 7:30 PM

• Alternatives to Conservatorship
  Speaker: Megan Lazet

Are you wondering what will happen when you or your loved one turns 18 and becomes responsible for school, financial, healthcare, and other decisions? Learn about less restrictive alternatives to conservatorship for adults who need support while learning to make their own decisions.

Wednesday, March 13

Morning Session:
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

• Regional Center Basics
  Speaker: Emily Ikuta

Do you think your loved one might need regional center services? Are you new to the regional center? Learn about who qualifies for regional center services and how to apply. Learn about the services regional center clients can receive, the Individual Program Plan (IPP) process, the role of “generic resources,” and your appeal rights. Bonus: hear about DRC’s work to make virtual IPP meetings a permanent option for regional center clients and their families.

Evening Session:
5:30 PM - 7:30 PM

• The Regional Center Self-Determination Program
  Speaker: Vivian Huan

Learn about the Self-Determination Program for regional center clients, an alternative way to receive regional center services. How is it different? How does it work? Who qualifies? Join us to find out! Bonus: hear about DRC’s work to make virtual IPP meetings a permanent option for regional center clients and their families.

Thursday, March 14

No morning session

Evening Session:
5:30 PM - 7:30 PM

• Final Q&A Session

Do you have lingering questions after attending other sessions this week? Join us to ask! Share with us about your future training needs during this informal conversation.