Navigating the maze of services can be challenging, but finding the right path is possible with the right support.
Finding your way through our service systems can be tricky and overwhelming. For individuals with developmental disabilities and their families, accessing services that people need to thrive can oftentimes be daunting and hard to navigate.
- Data shows that there are big differences in access for different racial, ethnic, and language groups.
- Many families face challenges in the Regional Center system because of linguistic or cultural barriers.
Do you or your child have a developmental disability? Are you looking for support?
The Community Navigator Program is available across California! Check out the available Community Navigator Programs near you.
When we invest in peer-to-peer support, we can improve access to services.
In 2022, we launched a statewide Community Navigator Program.
In partnership with DDS, we established a statewide Community Navigator Program (CNP) with 21 Family Resource Centers. With at least one in every Regional Center service area, you can find support near you.
The program uses an effective peer-to-peer support or a Promatora model that is shown to support access to Regional Centers and other community resources.
PARTNERS:
What kind of support is included?
Personalized services are offered for free to individuals and families at all stages of life. Navigators share similar experiences and understand the community, language, and culture of the people they help.
Services may include:
- Individual and group-based Parent-to-Parent support
- Trainings, education, playgroups, and networking events
- Information, referral, and 1:1 support to access community resources
- Assistance building trusting relationships with Regional Center staff
- Advocacy and service navigation
*Data collected 4/22-3/24
Beatriz learned Santiago might have Autism. She felt lost and didn't know what to do next.
A Community Navigator at Special Kids Connect in Monterey County met with her about three times per month over the course of seven months. Together, they worked on helping Beatriz understand her child's diagnosis and create goals for her family and herself. She was able to take concrete next steps like:
“Thank you for all your support and help that you have given me since the first day of this new stage of our life, without you none of this would be possible and we continue to meet goals. Thanks to your entire team (SKC) you make this possible.”
- Beatriz
