Frank D. Lanterman Regional Center

06/16/2026

LANTERMAN 60 FOR 60 ~ HIGHLIGHT 21 OF 60 – Inclusion, Service Access & Family Resources

As we celebrate 60 years of service, Lanterman Regional Center is proud to recognize Berta Suazo for her extraordinary commitment to our community. Ms. Suazo is the parent of Alberto Suazo, an individual who has been served by Lanterman Regional Center since March 1997. For the past 30 years, she has dedicated herself to supporting the Lanterman community as a peer support partner, support group facilitator, and parent volunteer.

During the pandemic, Ms. Suazo further demonstrated her dedication by assisting with PPE and food box distribution events. She continues to mentor Spanish-speaking families, build meaningful relationships, and encourage engagement and participation throughout the community. As a lifelong learner, Ms. Suazo exemplifies the importance of training and education as tools to empower families to advocate for their loved ones.

Join us in learning more about Ms. Suazo’s journey as she shares her story in her own words → https://lanterman.org/lanterman-60for60-highlight21of60/

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We invite you help us celebrate 60 years as partners in lifelong support by sharing your own story with all of us! Journey alongside us through our “60 Highlights for 60 Years” social media series that will showcase the people, professionals, partnerships and community that make up Lanterman Regional Center. We will share information and resources, elevate the people behind and at the forefront of our system, and spotlight achievements and advancements.

Together, let’s celebrate the achievements, services, partnerships and community that together make up 60 years of advocacy and empowerment for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Share your story here: bit.ly/60for60form

Submissions will be reviewed for consideration to be included in the series.*

More info here: https://lanterman.org/60for60/

06/15/2026

Did you receive the NCI Family Survey in the mail? If your family has been selected, you’ll have received a written survey by U.S. Mail. The deadline has been extended to July 15 to compete and return your survey.

Let your voice be heard by letting your regional center and California Department of Developmental Services know what you think about your services!

( ) - Family Surveys are confidential, and evaluate the services and supports you and your family member receive through your and service providers.

Surveys are mailed directly to you from the California State Council on Developmental Disabilities. You may fill it out on paper, or online with the code in your letter.

E-mail [email protected] to participate in the survey. | E-mail [email protected] for general questions about NCI.

06/15/2026

There are many ways SoCalGas can help eligible customers reduce their bills. See which program or payment plan might be the best option for you. Learn more at socalgas.com/Assistance. These programs are funded by California utility customers and administered by Southern California Gas Company under the auspices of the CPUC. Eligibility requirements apply; see the program conditions for details.

06/15/2026

Reminder, this public meeting is coming up next week.

06/15/2026

Please be advised that Lanterman Regional Center will be closed on Friday, June 19, in observance of the Juneteenth holiday.

If you have an emergency during the holiday closure and need assistance from the Regional Center, call the main phone number at 213.383.1300 and follow the recorded instructions.

We will resume normal business hours on Monday, June 22.

06/14/2026

Child Psychologists & Theorists and their perspective on PLAY ♥️

06/14/2026

06/12/2026

Lanterman 60 for 60 ~ Highlight 19 of 60 – Inclusion, Service Access & Family Resources

Natalia Lewis, a Lanterman parent leader and Peer Support Partner, shared heartwarming stories on her two daughters with two different journeys and one life-changing source of support, Frank D Lanterman Regional Center.

When Logan wasn't reaching milestones and Ripley began losing words she once had, their family faced uncertainty, fear, and countless questions. They didn't know what came next, only that they couldn't do it alone.

Then Lanterman Regional Center entered their lives.

The Lanterman team didn't see diagnoses or challenges. They saw their daughters. They met Logan and Ripley exactly where they were, surrounded the family with support, and gave them the tools, community, and confidence to move forward.

Through therapy, parent education, support groups, and leadership opportunities, the family found more than services - they found their voice. Logan found new ways to communicate. Ripley found opportunities and belonging. The parents learned advocacy and grew into leaders, and together they found a community that understands.

Today, their daughters are thriving in their own unique ways, and so are the parents.

The greatest gift Lanterman gave the family wasn't a single outcome - it was the chance to be seen, heard, and supported every step of the way.

Read their full stories in their mother's own words → https://lanterman.org/60for60-highlight20of60/

***

We invite you help us celebrate 60 years as partners in lifelong support by sharing your own story with all of us! Journey alongside us through our “60 Highlights for 60 Years” social media series that will showcase the people, professionals, partnerships and community that make up Lanterman Regional Center. We will share information and resources, elevate the people behind and at the forefront of our system, and spotlight achievements and advancements.

Together, let’s celebrate the achievements, services, partnerships and community that together make up 60 years of advocacy and empowerment for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Share your story here: bit.ly/60for60form

Submissions will be reviewed for consideration to be included in the series.*

More info here: https://lanterman.org/60for60/

06/10/2026

06/09/2026

Lanterman 60 for 60 ~ Highlight 19 of 60 – Inclusion, Service Access & Family Resources

In November 2013, Lanterman Regional Center partnered with Esperanza Community Housing Corporation (Esperanza) on a unique pilot project to address observed differences in regional center services to a select group of Spanish-speaking families seeking support and guidance.

The Approach: The project used the Promotor/Community Health Worker model to provide extra help to families. The Promotoras helped support families with four key objectives:

1) Helping families understand what services were available through the regional center and how those services can support their child

2) Helping families access and utilize the services

3) Connecting families to other community-based services not directly available through regional center

4) Teaching and modeling, to help families develop the skills and ability to advocate for themselves in future interactions with the regional center and community agencies

The Results: The pilot project showed significant gains. Findings clearly showed that the Promotoras helped families understand and overcome barriers such as fear of navigating the system, lack of understanding of how the services work, and lack of confidence.

Based on the pilot project’s success, in 2016 Lanterman Regional Center expanded the Promotora model to serve the Korean community through the Community Health Worker program. Today, both programs thrive and continue to serve the Lanterman community.

***

We invite you help us celebrate 60 years as partners in lifelong support by sharing your own story with all of us! Journey alongside us through our “60 Highlights for 60 Years” social media series that will showcase the people, professionals, partnerships and community that make up Lanterman Regional Center. We will share information and resources, elevate the people behind and at the forefront of our system, and spotlight achievements and advancements.

Together, let’s celebrate the achievements, services, partnerships and community that together make up 60 years of advocacy and empowerment for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Share your story here: bit.ly/60for60form

Submissions will be reviewed for consideration to be included in the series.*

More info here: https://lanterman.org/60for60/