Resources

AbilityPath's Family Resource Center improves the quality of life for children in San Mateo County with developmental disabilities, ages 0–22, by providing resources, education, and support for families, caregivers, and service providers. The center offers parent-to-parent support, outreach, information, referral services, and monthly support groups in English and Spanish.

For families seeking guidance and connection in the Bay Area, the Family Resource Center is a trusted first stop for understanding their child's needs, navigating services, and connecting with other families on a similar journey.

Challenged Family Resource Center is a parent-directed, nonprofit organization that has supported children with special needs and their families since 1992. Its mission is to empower families through parent-to-parent support services, ensuring they are not alone in their journey.

The center offers support groups, resources, and family support across Merced County and the surrounding region. For families in the Central Valley seeking understanding, practical guidance, and a welcoming community, Challenged Family Resource Center is a trusted partner.

The Early Start Family Resource Network & Family Empowerment Center (Family Resource Network) provides free support, resources, training, and information to individuals and families who have children with developmental delays and disabilities in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties.

The FRN's trained staff — most of whom have a child or family member with a developmental delay or disability — listen with understanding and help families navigate services and agencies. For families in the Inland Empire seeking guidance and connection, the Family Resource Network is a trusted, no-cost resource.

H.E.A.R.T.S. Connection — Help, Encourage, Advocate, Resources, Training, Support — is a family resource center serving Kern County families of individuals with special needs. The center shares a vision of a community that is more comfortable with and accepting of people with special needs, enhancing quality of life through professionalism, dignity, compassion, and respect.

H.E.A.R.T.S. Connection provides parent-to-parent support, training, resources, and referrals for families navigating developmental services in Kern County, with offices in Bakersfield (4500 California Ave., (661) 328-9055) and Bishop (308 W. Line St., Suite 7, (661) 531-3498 — by appointment). For families in the Central Valley seeking guidance and connection, H.E.A.R.T.S. Connection is a trusted partner.

The Eastern Los Angeles Family Resource Center (ELAFRC), operated by Heluna Health, provides emotional support, information, training, resources, and referrals to individuals with disabilities, families, and professionals in eastern Los Angeles County. The center empowers individuals with developmental disabilities and their families in a way that is family-centered and culturally sensitive.

ELAFRC's staff — many of whom have firsthand experience with developmental disabilities — offer peer support, community events, workshops, and agency partnerships. For families in eastern Los Angeles County seeking guidance and connection, ELAFRC is a trusted resource.

Parents' Place Family Resource Center is a parent-driven organization serving families of children with special needs, ages 0–26, across the San Gabriel and Pomona valleys. With bilingual staff fluent in Spanish, Chinese/Mandarin, and Vietnamese, Parents' Place is committed to supporting and enhancing family-focused services in a welcoming, parent-driven atmosphere.

Parents' Place offers parent-to-parent support, a warmline, workshops, support groups, and help navigating the IEP process, Early Start, and regional center services. For families in the San Gabriel Valley seeking guidance, connection, and culturally responsive support, Parents' Place is a trusted first stop.

Rainbow Connection Family Resource and Empowerment Center is a parent-staffed organization supporting individuals with developmental disabilities and other special needs — and their families — across Ventura County. Staffed by parents who draw from their own lived experience, Rainbow Connection offers understanding and practical guidance for the daily joys and challenges families face.

Rainbow Connection provides parent-to-parent support, support groups, trainings, a lending library, and help navigating Early Start, IEPs, transition, and regional center services, with offices in Oxnard, Simi Valley, and Fillmore. For families in Ventura County seeking connection and guidance, Rainbow Connection is a trusted partner.

Alpha Family Empowerment Center supports families of children with disabilities and special needs in the Santa Barbara area through parent-to-parent support, information, training, and resources.

For families in Santa Barbara County seeking guidance, connection, and practical help navigating services for their child, Alpha Family Empowerment Center is a trusted local partner.

Care Parent Network is a family resource center serving families of children with disabilities and special needs in Contra Costa County. Through parent-to-parent support, information, and training, Care Parent Network helps families understand their child's needs and navigate services with confidence.

For families in the Concord area and across Contra Costa County seeking guidance and connection, Care Parent Network is a trusted first stop.

Family SOUP (Special Outreach for Unique Parents) is a family resource center serving families of children with special needs in Yuba City and the surrounding region, offering parent-to-parent support, information, training, and resources.

For families in the Yuba-Sutter area seeking understanding, practical guidance, and a welcoming community, Family SOUP is a trusted local partner.

Parents Helping Parents (PHP) is a family resource center serving families of children with special needs in San Jose and the greater Bay Area, offering parent-to-parent support, information, training, and resources to help families navigate services and advocate for their child.

PHP's main office at 1400 Parkmoor Avenue, Suite 100, San Jose is open Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., and PHP also serves families at the SCFHP Blanca Alvarado Community Resource Center (408 N Capitol Ave, San Jose) on Thursdays from 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.

Raise & Shine Family Resource and Empowerment Center supports families of children with special needs in Mendocino County through parent-to-parent support, information, training, and resources.

For families in the Ukiah area seeking guidance, connection, and help navigating services for their child, Raise & Shine is a trusted local partner.

The Special Parents Information Network (SPIN) has provided parent support since 1996 and serves families of children with special needs across Santa Cruz and San Benito counties, offering parent-to-parent support, information, training, and resources.

SPIN has three offices: South Santa Cruz County (294 Green Valley Rd., Suite 313, Watsonville — walk-ins welcome, (831) 722-2800), North Santa Cruz County (740 Front St., Suite 175, Santa Cruz — by appointment, (831) 423-7713), and San Benito County (455 San Benito St., Suite 30, Hollister — by appointment, email rcornejo@spinsc.org). Offices are open Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

TASK (Team of Advocates for Special Kids) is a nonprofit organization that helps families of children with disabilities navigate special education, offering training, information, and one-on-one support so parents can advocate effectively for their child's services and rights.

TASK has two offices: Los Angeles County (1000 South Fremont Ave., Building A-1, Suite 1110, Alhambra — (626) 300-1043, AlhambraOffice@taskca.org) and Orange County (3020 Saturn St., Suite 102, Brea — (714) 533-8275, task@taskca.org).

Christina Cortese has a background in behavior support, school counseling, child advocacy, and parent coaching. Through The Calming C.A.S.A., she works with families to better understand the factors underlying challenging behaviors and develop practical, individualized strategies that can be used across home and school.

Christina also supports parents navigating school concerns, IEP and 504 processes, executive functioning, emotional regulation, school refusal, and communication with educators and other professionals. For families seeking support, Christina can help you better understand your child's needs, identify appropriate supports, prepare for conversations with schools and providers, and navigate these challenges with greater confidence.

Christina's work complements educational and legal resources by providing families with practical, individualized support for the day-to-day challenges of advocating for and supporting their child.

Bugle Horn Autism is a community organization dedicated to supporting all families with autism. Through programs, resources, books, and events, Bugle Horn Autism works to redefine potential and rewrite futures for neurodivergent children and their families.

Bugle Horn Autism offers support groups, community programs, and events such as its annual 'Watch Us Soar' conference, which brings families and professionals together to learn, connect, and share experiences. For families seeking a welcoming community and practical guidance, Bugle Horn Autism provides a space to find support and build connections with others on a similar journey.

Mychal's Learning Place provides support, training, and opportunities to youth and young adults with developmental disabilities to build their independence and pursue their goals and dreams.

Mychal's offers an After School Program for youth ages 13-22 to develop social and independent living skills in a safe, inclusive space, a Path to Independence Adult Day Program for young adults ages 18-30, and social enterprises — including Mychal's Bakery — that provide real-world work experience. For families seeking community-based programs that foster independence, connection, and meaningful life skills, Mychal's Learning Place is a trusted resource in the greater Los Angeles area.

Stowell Learning Center provides comprehensive solutions for students with learning disabilities, dyslexia, auditory processing disorders, and attention challenges. With locations in Pasadena, Chino, and Irvine, Stowell offers specialized programs designed to permanently eliminate the difficulties associated with learning disabilities rather than simply accommodating them.

Stowell Learning Center works with families to identify the root causes of learning challenges and develop individualized programs that target those underlying skills. For families seeking a comprehensive approach to helping their child overcome learning disabilities, Stowell Learning Center offers assessments, targeted intervention, and ongoing support.

Village Glen School is a college-preparatory program designed for students with autism spectrum disorder and other related special needs. Serving grades K–12, Village Glen combines rigorous academics with individualized social and communication support to help students reach their fullest potential.

Village Glen adheres to the belief that students should experience the joy of learning as a lifelong process and develop unique talents and skills in preparation for their future goals. For families seeking a school environment that understands and supports neurodivergent learners, Village Glen offers a welcoming, structured, and supportive community.

Arbor Bay School is a specialized program serving children through eighth grade who have autism spectrum disorder (ASD), developmental disabilities (DD), or speech and language challenges. With a nurturing environment and individualized support, Arbor Bay helps students build academic, social, and communication skills at their own pace.

For families in the Bay Area seeking a school that understands and supports neurodivergent learners, Arbor Bay School offers a welcoming, structured community where children can grow with confidence.

The California Grants Portal is a centralized, searchable portal where families can find available California grant opportunities that may apply to disability-related needs, community support, or nonprofit assistance. Managed by the California State Library, the portal brings together grants from state agencies into a single, easy-to-search resource.

For families and organizations seeking financial assistance or funding to support a neurodivergent child's needs, the California Grants Portal is a practical starting point for discovering opportunities across the state.

The Miracle Project is an inclusive theater, film, and expressive arts program serving individuals with autism and other disabilities. Through music, movement, drama, and storytelling, participants build communication, social, and self-expression skills in a supportive, creative community.

For families seeking a welcoming, arts-based program where their child can connect with peers and develop confidence, The Miracle Project offers a joyful, inclusive space in the Los Angeles area.