Link to Webinar Recording: Watch Here
Link to Handouts: Powerpoint
Links to Additional Resources: Early Start Family Resources Center Brochure - Early Start Neighborhood
Program Coordinators - Foster Youth Services (CA Dept of Education)
Do you know or support individual(s) who are diagnosed with or are suspected of having an intellectual or developmental disability? Do you work with or support families and caregivers who have infants or toddlers who have – or are at high risk for – developmental delays or disabilities?
This webinar provides an overview of the developmental services system and establishment of the 21 Regional Centers that support individuals with developmental and Intellectual disabilities throughout California. It will cover eligibility criteria for Early Start, Provisional Eligibility, and Lanterman Act services as well as an overview of the Children and Youth System of Care and support for individuals with complex needs who receive regional center services.
Presenters:
Marcy Okada, M.S., is the Chief of the Transitions and Partnerships Section at the Department of Developmental Services (DDS). In this role, she leads a team that develops policies for individuals ages 3-22 who receive regional center services throughout California. Okada has been in this field for 16 years and has worked as a direct service provider, special education teacher and has held different roles in developing and overseeing program policies for Early Start and Lanterman Act services at the state level. She is very passionate about creating opportunities for individuals with disabilities to live independent and fulfilling lives.
Leah Dempsey, M.A., is a System of Care (SoC) specialist, overseeing the SoC Branch at the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) and member of the State SoC Team. She has been committed to supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities for over 10 years, starting her career as a behavior interventionist in the non-public school system. Prior to joining DDS, Dempsey worked at the San Diego Regional Center as the Program Manager of the complex cases unit. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in human behavior.
Mirella Quaranta, M.A. Ed., is a staff service manager specialist at the California Department of Developmental Services. She received her bachelor’s in sociology from California State University, East Bay and her master’s in education from California State University, Sacramento. Quaranta has worked in the developmental disabilities field for over 20 years, including at a regional center for 10 years and then as a program manager at a supported living agency. Currently, she collaborates with 14 START teams throughout California, as well as with the National Center for START Services, to ensure individuals with I/DD and Mental Health needs receive the support they need to thrive.
Anne De Medeiros began working with toddlers with disabilities while completing her undergraduate work in psychology at the University of Nevada, Reno. While working in the private sector, Anne conducted assessments, wrote goals and provided direct intervention services for children with a variety of disabilities from 18 months to 16 years old. Since 2019, De Medeiros has worked at the Department of Health Care Services, Department of Rehabilitation and the State Council on Developmental Disabilities prior to her current position at the Department of Developmental Services. As the Early Start Policy and Community Engagement section chief, De Medeiros utilizes her professional and personal experiences to maintain a focus on person and family centered services.