Self-Advocacy
The mission of WRC’s self-advocacy movement is to empower all people to make life choices and to be part of their home communities. Self-advocacy groups strive to empower individuals to become active and influential members of their communities, as well as agents of change concerning their rights and wishes. At self-advocacy meetings, personal rights are discussed and individuals have an opportunity to share their experiences and concerns. Group members learn from each other and gain confidence to stand up for themselves.
Self-Advocacy Groups
There are several active self-advocacy groups in the WRC area. These groups meet at various community locations including restaurants, malls, and community rooms. Meetings offer a great opportunity for members to make new friends and maintain lasting friendships. The frequency and duration of meetings vary depending on the group’s wishes. Attendance at self-advocacy meetings is encouraged for all individuals served by WRC.
Please contact Linda Butler, Consumer Advocacy Coordinator, for more information at (310) 258-4245 or via email at lindab@westsiderc.org.
Click Here to download the monthly calendar.
- Self-Advocacy Groups
- English Brochure
- Spanish Brochure
- Self-Advocacy and CAC
- Watch the video in English
- Watch the video in Spanish
Peer Mentor Lifestyle Coach Agency
The Peer Mentor Lifestyle Coach Agency, Inc. is a non-profit organization that specializes in training people with developmental disabilities to serve as Peer Mentors. The unique feature of PMLCA is that Peer Mentors are responsible for training and assisting others with developmental disabilities. Peer mentors are trained to provide independent living support, mobility training, community inclusion, socialization, and healthy lifestyle coaching. Peer Mentors are responsible for training and assisting others to develop the skills necessary to live as independently as possible. Peer Mentors also provide skills training in budgeting, shopping, meal planning and preparation, household maintenance, time management, community access, mobility, self-advocacy, developing effective communication skills, and locating social and recreational opportunities.
Healthy Lifestyle Change Program
The Healthy Lifestyle Change program is another peer mentoring venture which was established to identify and support adults with disabilities who are at risk for or who have a diagnosis of Type II diabetes as well as supporting people who wish to develop a more healthful lifestyle. Peer Mentors, fitness, and nutrition facilitators support people to incorporate exercise and good nutrition education into their daily routines.
| Name of Group | Activities | Day/Meeting Time | Contact Information |
|---|---|---|---|
| Healthy Lifestyle Change | Fitness & yoga | Call for information | (424) 702-6023 |
| Healthy Cooking & Eating Class | Nutrition and cooking demonstration | Call for information | (424) 702-6023 |
Networking and Life Skills Group
- Who comes to this fun group? Anyone who wants to be social and have fun!
- May I bring a friend? Of course! Bring a friend and you will also make friends at the group.
- Is there food? YES! We have tasty refreshments.
- How much does it cost to go? It’s FREE! That’s right, FREE!
- What if I’m looking for a roommate? Attend a “Networking” meeting and one of the peer mentors can assist you.
Family Support
Special Education Advocacy
Education Support Services Unit
If your child is found eligible for services under the Lanterman Act and you need educational support assistance, please contact the Education Support Services (ESS) unit. The ESS staff provide assistance to clients of Westside Regional Center who are school-age (3 to 22) and pursuing a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) in their community. ESS staff can review IEP documents and assessment reports, attend IEP meetings, and/or observe the student in the school setting. You may contact the ESS staff directly or request a referral through your service coordinator.
- Education & Advocacy Specialist
- Barbara Marbach
- Ron Lopez
- Feben Fantu
- Phone Number
- 310-258-4024
- 310-258-4002
- 310-258-4183
Westside Family Resource & Empowerment Center
The Westside Family Resource and Empowerment Center (WFREC) is housed within the same building and works in collaboration with the Westside Regional Center, local school districts, and community-based organizations that provide supports and services to children and their families. The WFREC is staffed by experienced parents and family members who are qualified to provide emotional, technical, and informational support to families who have an infant, child, or young adult with a disability, chronic illness, or other health care need.
They offer a variety of support groups where parents have the opportunity to meet and learn from other parents. These groups are designed to provide information, resources, community, and hope. When families share common concerns and experiences, the support can be uniquely meaningful. They also sponsor training and workshops to help families learn how to understand and navigate the often-times complex systems of care in California. Watch their welcome video to learn more.
Phone: (310) 258-4063 Email: westsidefrec@gmail.com
Website: wfrec.org ; linktr.ee/westsidefrec
- Monthly Support Groups & Workshops
- Download in English
- Download in Spanish
Family Support Groups
Sponsored by WRC & WFREC
| Name | Information | Online Meeting Registration | Meeting Date &Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alianza Familias Especiales (A.F.E.) | This group offers support for Spanish speaking parents of infants, toddlers, and children who have special needs. Contact: Francis Gomez Phone: 310-695-6941 | NO MEETING HAS BEEN SCHEDULED AT THIS TIME | Every 2nd Wednesday of the month 7:00-9:00pm |
| Ethiopian Parents of Special Needs Children | This support group focuses on various challenging issues that Ethiopian families face once their child has been identified with special needs. The objective of this group is to support each other, to share experiences, to empower families, to educate and inform families of resources, and to become an organized community base resource. Contact: Feben Fantu Phone: 310-447-5111 | Click here to register in advance for this meeting | Every 3rd Friday of each month 6:30-8:30pm |
| Level Up! African American/Black Families Support Group | Our mission is to provide and ensure that people with developmental disabilities and their families have equitable access to information, resources, services, and advocacy skills that facilitates empowerment to “Level Up” their quality of care in collaboration with Westside Regional Center and the Westside Family Resource and Empowerment Center. Facilitator: Beverly Hutchinson | Click here to register in advance for this meeting | Every 3rd Thursday of the month 6:30-8:30pm |
| Siempre Amigas | This group offers support for Spanish speaking parents of infants, toddlers, and children with special needs. This group is led in Spanish. Facilitator: Martha Montealegre Phone: 310-258-4061 | Click here to register in advance for this meeting | Every 3rd Monday of each month 10:30am-12:30pm |
| Therapeutic Support Group for Parents of Children and Adults with Developmental Disabilities | This therapeutic group focuses on improving our ability to cope with stress and feel less overwhelmed in our journey as parents, while improving our collective resilience together. Please contact your child’s service coordinator to discuss referral and current availability. | Please contact your Service Coordinator | Please contact your Service Coordinator |
| Westside TIGERs | Workshops on Special Education advocacy for parents of infants, toddlers, and children with special needs. This group is led in Spanish with English interpretation. Phone: (310) 674-2690 | Click here to register in advance for this meeting | Visit their Facebook pages for upcoming dates and times. |
In the Community
| Name | Information | Online Meeting Registration | Meeting Date &Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bugle Horn Autism Support Group | The group provides opportunities for parents to benefit from the experiences and support of professionals as well as other parents and learn valuable coping and intervention strategies. When joining this support group you will have access to conferences, workshops, free tickets and entry into special events, information on advocacy and research groups. Contact: Florence Bracy | To access this online support group please contact Florence Bracy via email at bracyflorence2013@gmail.com or via text (323) 574-0862 | Every 2nd Monday of each month from 5:00PM – 6:45PM. |
| Los Angeles Asperger Syndrome Parents’ Support Group | A support group for parents of children diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome. Contact: Jim Divine & Fran Goldfarb Email: laasperger@gmail.com Phone: 310-636-0101 Website: www.laasperger.wordpress.com | Please contact the facilitators for their meeting information. | Every 2nd Wednesday of each month 7:30-8:30pm |
| Los Angeles County HFA/ Asperger’s Adults Meet-Up Group | Do you have Asperger’s Syndrome or are you a high-functioning autistic? Each month we schedule a various meeting events in different places around LA County. | Click here to register in advance for this meeting | Various dates and times |
| Support Group For Parents, Caregivers, and Allies | Our free, ongoing support group is for parents, caregivers, and allies of LGBTQ+ young people and adults. This is a safe space to share, gain valuable information, advice, and resources and benefit from the experiences and support of others. Questions? Contact Bryan at bscheihing@thehelpgroup.org. | Click here to register in advance for this meeting | The group meets virtually every 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month, 5-6 pm PT: September 24, October 8, and October 22. (More dates will be added later) |
| West Los Angeles C.H.A.D.D. | We are a group affiliated with CHADD: Children & Adults with ADD. We present speakers and topics covering a wide range of interests designed to aid adults with ADD/ADHD, and parents of children with ADHD/ADD. Contact: Regina Lark Phone: 310-995-7953 Website: www.meetup.com/WLAChadd/ | Click here to register in advance for this meeting | We meet nine times per year, September to November, January to June, on the 3rd Tuesday 7:00pm – 8:30pm |
Monthly Workshops for Westside Families
For additional workshops, view our workshop calendar.
| Name | Information | Online Meeting Registration | Meeting Date &Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Informed Education Partners (IEP) | This group will informally address the questions and concerns that families have about their child’s Special Education services and support. We will share information and provide specific strategies so Come and learn the tools and techniques necessary to ensure an appropriate and meaningful education for all of our children. | Click here to register for the ENGLISH workshop | 1st Thursday of each month 6:30-8:30pm |
| Understanding and Navigating the In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) Program | We will provide: an overview of the IHSS Program; the types of services offered; provide suggestions on the types of information you should collect for the application and how to keep yourself organized; how to submit your application and what to expect at the home visit; next steps; and your right to appeal if you disagree with a decision made. | Click here to register for the ENGLISH workshop | Spanish: 1st Tuesday of each month English: 2nd Tuesday of each month 10:00am-12:00pm |
| In-Home Support Services Workshop: Advanced | For individuals who need more in-depth information about the IHSS program and who may be appealing, requesting more hours or requesting a re-evaluation. Bring your IHSS Notice of Action (NOA) and any other documentation you want to share pertaining to IHSS. RSVP Line: (310) 258-4063 | NO WORKSHOP DATES HAVE BEEN SCHEDULED AT THIS TIME | Spanish: 1st Tuesday of the month English: 2nd Tuesday of each month 1:30-3:30pm |
| Sibshops | Support program for siblings who have brothers or sisters with any special needs who are WRC clients. Program runs from October to June RSVP Line: 310-258-4063 | NO WORKSHOP DATES HAVE BEEN SCHEDULED AT THIS TIME | 2nd Saturday of each month (October to June) 9:00am-1:00pm |