I am a mother of four with a strong passion for the Self-Determination Program (SDP). My adult son, who has been a Regional Center consumer since infancy, was born with a brain malformation and has autism, an intellectual disability, and epilepsy. In 2018, he was selected to participate in the initial three-year phase-in of the Self-Determination Program.

Over the years, I have navigated the complexities of the Regional Center system—including budgets and spending plans—largely on my own. During the pandemic shutdown, I used the time to deepen my understanding by attending numerous classes and webinars on Self-Determination, Person-Centered Planning, generic resources, and Independent Facilitation.

I believe in the power of knowledge and in staying informed as policies and systems continue to evolve. I still attend many meetings, classes, and trainings to keep up with the ongoing changes and ensure I can advocate effectively.

I firmly believe that every person with a disability deserves the opportunity to live a full and meaningful life by accessing both Regional Center services and generic community supports. The Self-Determination Program empowers individuals and their families with increased flexibility, choice, and control—allowing them to make decisions about the services and supports they need to achieve their goals as outlined in their Individual Program Plan (IPP).

I currently serve on the Self-Determination Local Advisory Committee at NLACRC and remain committed to helping other participants and their families successfully navigate this empowering program. The future is now!