Local Community Program and Agencies
Down Syndrome Association of Orange County
The Down Syndrome Association of Orange County (DSAOC) has been serving individuals with Down syndrome, their families and local community since 1978. DSAOC’s Mission is to create a place for connection, information and hope for people with Down syndrome and their families, to promote Down syndrome awareness through community outreach, and to offer programs, services and support that aim to empower individuals with Down syndrome to reach their full potential.
Greater Orange County Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD)
CHADD is a group of parents, adults, teens, kids, professionals, and educators who have or deal with someone with ADHD. They are volunteers who serve people throughout Orange County, California on behalf of their national organization. Founded in 1987, CHADD offers programming and information at their local support group meetings, moderated meetings and expert educational meetings.
National Alliance on Mental Illness Orange County
The National Alliance on Mental Illness Orange County (NAMI OC) serves individuals, their families, and local community effected by mental Illness. NAMI OC’s Mission is to create a place for connection, information and hope for people with mental illness and their families, .
United Cerebral Palsy Orange County
Helps children with disabilities reach their full potential. Through six comprehensive programs, their caregivers, specialists, and therapists actively work with children and families to improve their quality of life and live a life without limits.
Laguna Hills Neighborhood Center Braille Institute
The Laguna Hills Neighborhood Center offers a welcoming environment with teaching and learning studios providing space for one-on-one consultations and group classes, to help people live well with low vision.
Helping The Behaviorally Challenging Child
Helping the Behaviorally Challenging Child in Tustin (HBCC) is a California Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation that is composed of individuals who are committed to helping behaviorally challenging children lead more productive and inclusive lives.
Epilepsy Support Network of Orange County
The Epilepsy Support Network of Orange County is improving the outlook for people diagnosed with epilepsy by providing the highest quality epilepsy specific educational programs as well as support group services.
Team of Advocates for Special Kids
TASK is one of the federal parent training information centers that specializes in special education support for people with disabilities from birth to age 26 and their families. Services include education, resources and parent to parent support. They have offices in Alhambra, South Gate, Riverside, Lake Elsinore and San Diego, CA. They support all disabilities, including mental illness, chronic health and medical conditions, and emotional challenges due to abuse or environmental trauma. TASK also has an Assistive Technology department that helps families explore ways to use AT to promote learning, communication, and independence.
Comfort Connection Family Resource Center
Comfort Connection Family Resource Center housed at the Regional Center of Orange County (RCOC) in Santa Ana connects families who have children with special needs to resources and support. Most of Comfort Connection’s staff are parents of children with developmental disabilities, and many are bilingual
Family Support Network
Family Support Network (FSN) provides services and advocates for families with social, emotional and physical needs. Founded in 1985 by a group of concerned parents, FSN has been serving the special needs community in Orange County by bringing together parents and professionals all dedicated to helping children achieve their dreams.
Orange County Head Start Inc.
OCHS is funded by the United States Department of Health and Human Services to provide Head Start and Early Head Start services throughout all of Orange County, including those who are homeless, in foster care, have special needs, are on public assistance, whose family incomes are at or below the federal poverty line, and/or have other high risk circumstances. We provide comprehensive early education programs for children and their families, with special emphasis on promoting children’s school readiness in the areas of language and cognitive development, early reading, science, mathematics, social skills, health and physical development.
State Council on Development Disabilities – Orange County
The State Council on Developmental Disabilities (SCDD) is established by state and federal law as an independent state agency to ensure that people with developmental disabilities and their families receive the services and supports they need. Their Orange County office provides workshops and presentations on a variety of topics and collaborates with many local community agencies and parent support groups in support of individuals with developmental disabilities.
Regional Center of Orange County
Regional Center of Orange County (RCOC) is one of 21 private, nonprofit organizations contracted by the State of California to coordinate lifelong services and supports for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.
Inland Regional Center
Inland Regional Center is a springboard to greater independence for people with developmental disabilities in the Inland Empire. We are a non-profit agency that has provided support to people with intellectual disabilities, autism, cerebral palsy, and epilepsy since 1972. Today we provide case management and service coordination for more than 38,500 Consumers in Riverside and San Bernardino counties.
Westside Regional Center
Westside Regional Center (WRC) is one of the 21 regional centers that provide services to persons, age three and above, with a disability pursuant to the Lanterman Act and infants and toddlers, birth to 36 months, who have a need for early intervention services and who meet the eligibility criteria for the California Early Start program.
Down Syndrome Foundation of Orange County
We partner with families, educators, and organizations around the world to enhance education for learners with Down syndrome.
Club 21
State Programs and Agencies
California Children’s Services (CCS)
California Children’s Services (CCS) is a state program for children with certain diseases or health problems. Through this program, children up to 21 years old can get the health care and services they need. CCS will connect you with doctors and trained health care people who know how to care for your child with special health care needs.
John Tracy Center
John Tracy Center provides parent-centered services locally and globally to young children with hearing loss, offering families hope, guidance, and encouragement.
Braille Institute
Braille Institute is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to eliminate barriers to a fulfilling life caused by blindness and severe sight loss. Each year, Braille Institute serves more than 37,000 people through a variety of free programs, classes and services at seven centers and 220 community outreach locations throughout Southern California.
Parents Helping Parents
Parents Helping Parents supports, educates, and inspires families and the community to build bright futures for youth and adults with special needs.
Writes Law
Parents, educators, advocates, and attorneys come to Wrightslaw for accurate, reliable information about special education law, education law, and advocacy for children with disabilities.
Disability Rights California
DRC is the Protection and Advocacy agency in California. It is the largest disability rights nonprofit agency in the nation and was established by federal law to protect and advocate for the rights of people with disabilities.
State of California Department of Developmental Services
The California Department of Developmental Services is the agency through which the State of California provides services and supports to individuals with developmental disabilities. These disabilities include intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, autism and related conditions. Services are provided through state-operated developmental centers and community facilities, and contracts with 21 nonprofit regional centers. The regional centers serve as a local resource to help find and access the services and supports available to individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.