Family Support & Advocacy
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.
Address: 5901 Green Valley Circle, Culver City, CA 90230
Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (appointment only)
Phone: (310) 258-4278 Email: westsidefrec@gmail.com
Website: wfrec.org Linktree: https://linktr.ee/westsidefrec
| WFREC Brochure | 2022 Calendar of Events |
| Download in English | Download in English |
| Download in Spanish | Download in Spanish |
SUPPORT GROUPS
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.
| Facilitator | Contact Information | Meeting Date/Time | Registration |
| Florence Bracy | 323-574-0862 | 2nd Monday of each month, January-November, from 5:00-6:45PM. | Register in advance with Florence via email or phone. |
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.
| Facilitator | Contact Information | Meeting Date/Time | Registration |
| Feben Fantu | 310-447-5111
FebenF@WestsideRC.org |
Every 3rd Friday of each month
6:30 – 8:30pm |
Download the Flyer |
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 that parents can become confident and collaborative IEP team members! Come and learn the tools and techniques necessary to ensure an appropriate and meaningful education for all of our children.
| Facilitators | Contact Information | Meeting Date/Time | Registration |
| Feben Fantu
Barbara Marbach |
310-258-4278
310-258-4024 |
English group:
1st Thursday of each month 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM |
Download the Flyer |
| Ron Lopez | 310-258-4002 | Spanish group:
1st Thursday of each month 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM |
Download the Flyer |
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 | Contact Information | Meeting Date/Time | Registration |
| Beverly Hutchinson | sisterspice7@aol.com | Every 3rd Thursday of the month
6:30 – 8:30pm |
Download the Flyer |
Los Angeles Asperger Syndrome Parents’ Support Group
A drop-in support group open to anyone interested in Asperger Syndrome or related issues (including all Autism Spectrum Disorders).
| Facilitators | Contact Information | Meeting Date/Time | Registration |
| Jim Divine
Fran Goldfarb |
laasperger@gmail.com
310-636-0101 |
Every 2nd Wednesday of each month
7:30 PM – 8:30 PM |
Please email Fran at laasperger@gmail.com (before 6:00 PM on the day of the meeting). She will confirm your RSVP and send instructions on how to log on. |
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 | Contact Information | Meeting Date/Time | Registration |
| Martha Montealegre | MarthaM@WestsideRC.org
310-258-4061 |
Every 3rd Monday of each month
10:30am-12:30pm |
Download the Flyer |
West Los Angeles C.H.A.D.D.
We are a group affiliated with CHADD: Children & Adults with ADD. We meet nine times per year, September to November, January to June, on the 3rd Tuesday. 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.
| Facilitator | Contact Information | Meeting Date/Time | Registration |
| Regina Lark | 310-995-7953 | Every 3rd Tuesday of each month
7:00 PM – 8:30 PM |
Click here to register in advance for this meeting. |
MONTHLY SUPPORT GROUPS
Different Thinkers, Different Learners
This is a series of 11 sessions where parents will learn about different disabilities and diagnoses through a psychoeducational perspective. In these classes, tips and strategies will be given on how to best support your child. The titles of the sessions are listed on the flyer.
| Instructor | Contact Information | Meeting Date/Time | Registration |
| Mariana Leñero | www.marianalenero.com | Every second Thursday of the month
5:30 PM February – December 2022 |
Download the flyer |
Sibshops
A support program for siblings who have brothers or sisters with any special needs who are WRC clients. Sibshops provide peer support and information in a lively, recreational setting.
| Instructor(s) | Contact Information | Meeting Date/Time | Registration |
| TBA | TBA | 2nd Saturday of each month (October to June)
9:00 AM – 1:00 PM |
Contact the WFREC for details |
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.
| Instructor | Contact Information | Meeting Date/Time | Registration |
| Ereida Galda | 310-258-4218 | English workshop:
2nd Tuesday of each month 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM |
Download the flyer |
| Ereida Galda | 310-258-4218 | Spanish workshop:
1st Tuesday of each month 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM |
Download the flyer |