Frank D. Lanterman Regional Center

08/06/2026

LANTERMAN 60 FOR 60 ~ HIGHLIGHT 37 OF 60 - Self-Determination Program (SDP)

Two Ways to Connect Through Self-Determination

As part of our 60 Highlights for 60 Years series, we're spotlighting two community spaces that bring the Self-Determination Program (SDP) to life.

🔹 Self-Determination Local Volunteer Advisory Committee (LVAC)

The LVAC is made up of people served by the regional center, family members, staff and community advocates, who come together because they believe in one simple idea – people with developmental disabilities deserve to direct their own lives.
The committee’s core responsibilities include:

• Providing oversight of the regional center's progress in implementing SDP
• Leading community outreach through orientation sessions for participants and families
• Sharing what works through training initiatives that reflect our multicultural community
• Advocating by tracking legislation and pushing for changes that keep SDP moving forward

Meets the First Thursday of the month, 4:30 to 6 p.m.

Learn more about the committee here:
https://lanterman.org/client-and-family-services/self-determination-program/sdp-local-advisory-committee-2/

🔹 SDP Support Group

Come share your Self Determination Program experiences! The SDP Support Group is open to current and interested SDP participants; this group is a space to:

• Learn about creative options, solutions, and strategies
• Share resources
• Meet fellow participants in the program
• Learn from expert guest speakers

Meets the last Wednesday of the month, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Zoom.

Learn more about the support group and register for upcoming meetings here: https://lanterman.org/series/self-determination-program-participant-support-group/

Self-determination is about choice, voice and community — and both groups welcome you to be part of it. 💛

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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/

08/05/2026

Join Lanterman’s Koch-Young Resource Center for Baby Signs Playgroup (only for children ages 6 months to 5 years being served by Lanterman) on Thursdays, September 10, 17 and 24, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. in-person at KYRC-Wilshire, 3303 Wilshire Blvd., 1st Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90010.

Classes are a fun way for caregivers to engage with their children in early communication! This series uses interactive activities to engage families in learning sign language themes that complement the development of young children from birth to age 5.

To register, contact: Thrawlynne Lopez | 213.212.8292 | [email protected]

08/05/2026

The TREND Lab at Children's Hospital Los Angeles is recruiting youth with autism and mild-moderate intellectual disability (ages 11-17) to participate in a study that explores mental health in youth.

Study Activities: Families will attend 3 visits over 6 months at CHLA, which include interviews, electroencephalogram (EEG) tasks, and surveys. Visits last around 4-5 hours each, with breaks.

Complete the TREND Lab Research Participant Interest form: https://redcapsurveys.med.usc.edu/surveys/?s=ETDT4AYDD7F97YYK

> Study Location: 3250 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90010
> Risks: Minimal risks are anticipated and like daily activities
> Payments: $100 per visit (up to $300 for study completion). Free psychological assessment research reports available upon request.
> Participation: Participation in this study is voluntary

For more information contact the TREND Lab at [email protected] | 323.207.5910 (call or text)

08/05/2026

Join Lanterman’s Koch-Young Resource Center for Music and Movement: A Caregiver and Me Music Series (only for children ages 1-5 served by Lanterman) on Wednesdays, September 16, 23 and 30, from 10 to 11 a.m. in-person at KYRC-Wilshire, 3303 Wilshire Blvd., 1st Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90010.

To register, contact: Thrawlynne Lopez | 213.212.8292 | [email protected]

Program made possible by a contribution from the Fred and June MacMurray Foundation.

08/04/2026

August is here and as we wrap up summer and head back to school, we've got lots of valuable trainings and events at Lanterman’s Koch-Young Resource Center - both online and in-person, including trainings on preparation + , as well as an series, and workshops on understanding the regional center and Assembly Bill 181 and its implications, along with monthly meetings.

Here’s a handy calendar summarizing it all for you. Download a PDF copy here:https://lanterman.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/August-Calendar.pdf

You can learn more about any one of these events by visiting the Lanterman website at www.lanterman.org.

08/04/2026

Join us for the next UCLA Tarjan Center Community Lecture!

“Understanding Strengths & Needs in the California Developmental Service System” will explore how California’s developmental service system has evolved, why accurate evaluations matter, and what it means to maintain fidelity throughout the evaluation process.

🎤 Speaker: Christine Bagley, Safety Net Branch Chief, Statewide Clinical Services Division, California Department of Developmental Services

💬 Community Discussant: Derek Hearthtower, Lived Experience Advisory Group (LEAG)

📅 Monday, August 10, 2026
🕛 12:00–1:30 PM PDT
💻 Free & live on Zoom

Register today using the link in our bio or by scanning the QR code on the flyer.

08/04/2026

Just a reminder our infant massage course starts this coming Thursday.

Join Lanterman’s Koch-Young Resource Center, in collaboration with Infant Massage USA, for a four-week in-person course to discover the amazing benefits of baby massage.

The English session will be on Thursdays, August 6, 13, 20 and 27 from 10 to 10:45 a.m. at Lanterman’s KYRC Wilshire location. *Families who attend at least 3 sessions will receive a FREE nursing pillow.

This is for babies 1-month old to pre-crawling being served by Lanterman Regional Center. Come learn more about the benefits of infant massage, including:

- Interaction: Supports bonding and attachment
- Relaxation: Improves sleep quality and self-regulation
- Stimulation: Supports brain and physical development
- Relief: Relieves digestive discomforts, pain and tension

Space is limited, registration required. To register, contact: Thrawlynne Lopez | 213.212.8292 | [email protected]

Program made possible by a contribution of the Fred and June MacMurray Foundation.

08/03/2026

If you are a parent/caregiver and received an Early Start Family Outcomes Survey. Please fill it out: https://partcsam-dds.wa-form.com/f/41671409/72aa/

SURVEYS MUST BE COMPLETED BY OCTOBER 30, 2026!

YOUR FEEDBACK IS IMPORTANT.

The Department wants to hear from you because your experience in the Early Start Program matters.

Questions? Call 800.515.2229 or visit the California Department of Developmental Services webpage for general info and FAQs about the Family Outcomes Survey here: https://www.dds.ca.gov/services/early-start/familyoutcomessurvey/

Confidentiality Reminder:
No personal identifiers are included in survey results. The data families report is securely stored, and data is only reported in aggregated form including counts and percentages.

08/03/2026

Join Lanterman’s Koch-Young Resource Center for a presentation with Marjan Kermani, Esq., Assistant Director/Supervising Attorney of the Lanterman Special Education Legal Clinic, on Assembly Bill (AB) 181 and Its Implications on Thursday, August 20, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. online via Zoom.

Learn about:

> What is AB 181 and how students can benefit from it?
> The benefits of a Diploma vs a Certificate of Completion.
> The difference between General Education and Alternative Curriculum.
> What it is and who it is appropriate for.

Registration required, register online: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/FMhvCa3vSQq0MSUI4QvbGA #/registration (interpretation available)
Meeting ID: 873 6201 9104
Passcode: 2026

Questions: Veronica Guerrero | 213.212.8162 | [email protected] or Gloria Aleman | 213.212.8182 | [email protected]

08/03/2026

Join Kasec CA for their free Korean-language Early Intervention Workshop Series for families of young children, part of their Project FATE Workshop Series, on Thursdays August 13 and 27 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. online via Zoom.

Led by Yeji Lee, M.A., a Head Start Assessment Consultant with the Los Angeles County Office of Education, this two-part series will provide practical information, real-life examples, and helpful tips on accessing early intervention services.

Register online to attend: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/5zWd8dcoQ7ayt3iVPesr7w #/registration
English captioning available

Questions: [email protected] | 562.926.2040

This workshop series is made possible by a California Department of Developmental Services SAE Grant.