NLACRC's 2011 Legislative Breakfast

Elizabeth (Liz) Lyons received the Jynny Retzinger Award at the 2011 Legislative Breakfast for her outstanding contributions to the developmental disability community. Assembly Member Felipe Fuentes was one of many legislators who presented Liz with a certificate for her achievements.

NLACRC's 26th Jynny Retzinger Legislative Breakfast was held on April 8, 2011 at New Horizons Sam's Café. Seventeen legislators or their representatives, including Assembly Members Felipe Fuentes and Bob Blumenfield, and close to 200 others attended the breakfast. The theme of this year's breakfast was "Securing California's Future" and the importance of protecting the Early Start and Prevention Programs from any further program reductions.

The program included several presenters who are professionals that work in the field of Early Start including Rachelle Tyler, M.D. and Isabell Purdy, Ph.D. from UCLA, Joannie Busillo-Aguayo, Ed.D. from the Child Development Institute, and NLACRC clinical staff Margaret Swaine, M.D. and John Youngbauer, Ph.D. Parents Jennifer and Zach Ambrose and Leah Noel shared personal stories about their successes and challenges of having a child in the Early Start program. The breakfast attendees also had the opportunity to see video footage of some of the Early Start programs in the community and the many families who have benefitted from the Early Start program.

Jennifer and Zach Ambrose shared their personal story about having a child in the Early Start Program, and the importance of the services that they receive.

One of the highlights of the breakfast was the presentation of the Jynny Retizinger Award to Elizabeth (Liz) Lyons. Liz was recognized for her tremendous dedication to the developmental disability community, which includes serving as NLACRC Board of Trustees president for two years, past chair of the Association of Regional Center Agencies (ARCA) Consumer Advisory Committee, and she currently serves as chair of the Self-Advocacy Board of Los Angeles County..

NLACRC gratefully acknowledges the tremendous support that we received from our legislators this year and everyone who attended this important event..

What is Advocacy?
To help protect the legal, human and service rights of individuals.

Helping Consumers Help Themselves
NLACRC's Consumer Advocate Jose Rodriguez

Jose Rodriguez joined the NLACRC staff in January 2004 as the part-time consumer advocate. Before coming to NLACRC, the energetic 22-year-old worked in retail at Western Bagel for two years. He also attended New HorizonЃfs work training program where he focused on sharpening his job skills, and he helped train other consumers on how to fill out job applications.

Jose sees his main role as helping NLACRC consumers to develop confidence in becoming self advocates. He does this by participating in consumer trainings at the Family Focus Resource Center where different topics are covered each month. He conducts trainings for staff as well. He visits day programs to make sure that the consumerЃfs needs are being met, and attends Area Board 10 meetings and special trainings to gain more knowledge about issues that may be of importance to consumers.

Jose Rodriguez

 

 

 

 

 

 

"The question I hear most often from family members or consumers is about how to find a job," says Jose. As a regional center consumer, he is able to share his own personal experience with others, and has collected many valuable resources such as job guides, and job-related information that can assist consumers to prepare for finding employment.

What does Jose enjoy the most about being NLACRC'ss consumer advocate?

"I like being able to help people. I tell them about their rights and responsibilities and remind them that they have the right to be respected but we also must respect others. It feels good helping people. I love my job," he says.

Este artículo está disponible en español
>> Opinión este artículo