Disparity Partners

SG/PRC believes in empowering families to make informed decisions on behalf of their family member with developmental disabilities. We support and encourage you to reach out to and connect with our disparity partners.

SG/PRC Equity Partners that have received awards

  • Access Nonprofit Center — Parenting Black Children (PBC) — Village Wrap Around Parent and Caregiver Support model to empower and educate African American families. To learn more visit PBC’s website, view PBC information sheet (PDF), or contact founder Ardena Bartlett ardenab@accessnonprofit.org
  • Children’s Hospital Los Angeles Parent Navigator Project — Parent Navigators in Pediatric Clinics to Support Service Access — Pediatric navigator project to work 1:1 with families and facilitate new referrals to RC. Contact: Mirzaian, Christine Bottrell cmirzaian@chla.usc.edu
  • Chinese Parents Association for The Disabled — Bilingual/Bicultural Chinese Family & Self-Advocate Virtual Training Project to increase technology knowledge and access for consumers and families who speak Spanish, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Mandarin, Cantonese, and Mixteco. Contacts: Leck Lee leck501@yahoo.com; Mei Ye mei91755@gmail.com
  • Familias First — Creating Leadership Among Parents (CLAP) — Parent education and training for Latino families focused on multiple RC services. Contact: Victor Campos vcampos@familiasfirst.com
  • Korean American Special Education Center — Developmental Screening and Parent-Empowerment, Early Intervention advocacy and empowerment support for Korean parents. Contact: Grant grant@kasecca.org
  • USC UCEDD at CHLA — Peer Education Project — Promoting and Increasing Vietnamese Parents and Children with I/DD to Access Purchase of Service and be Independent-Family support project for Vietnamese families to increase system knowledge, access to services and independence. Contact: Olga Solomon osolomon@usc.edu
  • VPDCA — Promoting and increasing Vietnamese Parents and Children with I/DD to Access Purchase of Service and Be Independent. Contact: tiennguyen90706@gmail.com

SG/PRC Managed Grants to Promote Equity

Parent Mentor Initiative (PMI) — Provides individualized coaching and support to parents in accessing generic and regional center services and supports. Subcontractor is Alma Family Services. To learn more visit PMI’s website, view PMI information sheet (PDF), or contact Xochitl Gonzalez at (909) 710-8817.

Community Outreach Specialist for Asian Communities — Outreach to the Asian community — continues to be needed, as the total number of people served by SG/PRC is significantly lower than expected, given the percentage of Asians in the general population residing in the SG/PRC service area. To learn more contact Amos Byun at (909) 710-8815.

Vietnamese Outreach Specialist — The purpose is to increase awareness of the regional center in the Vietnamese community and increase access to purchase of service (POS) and utilization of SG/PRC services by Vietnamese parents in the SG/PRC service area. To learn more contact Amos Byun at (909) 710-8815. He may link you to Tam Nguyen, Subcontractor.

The SDP Network

The SDP Network is an initiative designed to Inspire, Connect & Empower to make Self-Determination accessible and easier for all Californians. Public Partnerships | PPL, Education Spectrum, and the San Gabriel/Pomona Regional Center have joined forces to launch a new website to help SDP participants and service providers find each other and connect. To learn more, visit the SDP Network website.

Foster Grandparent Senior Companion Program

The Foster Grandparent and Senior Companion Programs benefit all parties. Volunteers remain physically and mentally active and they report that the quality of their lives is greatly improved. In addition, the toddlers, children, and adults with developmental and/or intellectual disabilities receive guidance which empowers them to achieve their physical, emotional, and social goals.

The Foster Grandparent Program began in 1965 with 800 volunteers in more than 45 institutions. Today nearly 30,000 volunteers help more than 280,000 children through CNCS nationwide network of organizations.

The Senior Companion Program began in 1974 and throughout participating organizations in communities across the nation; Senior Companions have provided crucial assistance to older adults.

For more information about the program in the Los Angeles County catchment area (North), please contact Maria Vargas, Foster Grandparent/Senior Companion Program Manager, at (909) 710-8822 or email mvargas@sgprc.org

For more information about the program in the Orange County catchment area (South), please contact Wendy Hemminger, Foster Grandparent/Senior Companion Program Manager, at (714) 957-5188 or email Wendy.Hemminger@dds.ca.gov

Eligible Volunteers receive the following benefits:

  • A Tax Exempt Stipend (does not affect rent, social security or other benefits)
  • Transportation Reimbursement
  • Daily Meal Reimbursement
  • Paid Holidays
  • Accident Insurance
  • Annual Leave Time
  • Annual Physical
  • Orientation and monthly Training
  • Socialization Opportunities
  • Field Trips, and Recognition events
  • Increased stamina, good will, and satisfaction of helping others.

Qualifications:

  • 55 years or older
  • Meet minimum income eligibility according to federal guidelines
  • Serve 15-40 hrs. per week
  • Pass screening of DOJ/FBI Fingerprints
  • Be in good health
  • Be able to serve with the Special Needs population
  • Provide a green card/CA ID
  • Pass Physical Exam
  • Speak English

Sites where Volunteers serve adults and children with special needs:

  • Schools
  • Art Galleries
  • Vocational Workshops
  • Adult Day Care Centers
  • Pre-Schools
  • Day Treatment Programs