The EmpowerConnect Services Co.

09/09/2026

The California Department of Developmental Services announced big news for California’s Self-Determination Program (SDP)! SDP Medi-Cal Waiver has been approved for five more years by the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) through June, 30, 2031.
The main parts of the SDP and your rights as a participant will continue without changes.

This is a win for across all California Regional Centers as SDP will continue to support individuals to achieve their goals with more freedom and creativity. What do you want your life to look like and what do you need to make that happen? Self-Determination means YOU are in the driver’s seat.

09/02/2026

🌟 A Big Announcement Is Coming…

I’ve been quietly working on something incredibly meaningful behind the scenes — something rooted in purpose, community, and the kind of impact that brings people together. Every conversation, every late‑night planning session, every moment of reflection has led to this next chapter.

And now… it’s almost time.

This upcoming announcement represents growth, alignment, and a vision that has been shaped by lived experience, collaboration, and heart. I can’t wait to share it with the people who have supported me, believed in me, and walked alongside me through every step of this journey.

✨ It’s bold.
✨ It’s intentional.
✨ It’s built for our community.

Stay close. Turn on notifications. Something big is coming — and I promise, you won’t want to miss what’s next. 💛

09/02/2026

Do you feel prepared for your child as they age and enter new stages of life? Home of Guiding Hands invites you to sign up for the Life Planning Workshop series.

A recent participant shared: “Although we might want to wish otherwise, the future is fast approaching. This course makes you face the hard questions of planning your child’s future now, but in a way that is supportive and positive. It’s never too early to get started on planning the future!”

Sign up for the Life Planning Workshop series today: https://f.mtr.cool/2lnuunaznc
Available through SDRC funding. Please talk to your service coordinator to participate.

09/01/2026

As we step into a brand‑new month, we’re also stepping into one of the most meaningful seasons of the year. Fall has arrived—quietly, steadily, and with that familiar sense of comfort and renewal. 🍁

There’s something special about this time of year. The air shifts, the days soften, and we’re reminded that change doesn’t have to be loud to be powerful. Fall teaches us that growth can happen gently. That letting go can make space for something better. And that slowing down can be just as productive as speeding up.

This new month invites us to reflect on what we’ve built, what we’re nurturing, and what we’re ready to grow next. It’s a season of grounding, reconnecting, and showing up with intention—whether in our families, our communities, our work, or our personal goals.

As the leaves begin to turn, may this season bring clarity, warmth, and momentum. May it open doors, deepen connections, and remind us that we’re allowed to evolve. And may this month be the start of something meaningful, steady, and full of purpose.

Here’s to fall—its beauty, its lessons, and everything it inspires. 🍂✨

08/18/2026

This is my amazing daycare and will be at the 4th annual SDRC EVENT! Come by and say hi and even learn more about them and all other amazing partners and vendors from SDRC.

Many of my partners and organizations that I am proud and involved in will also be there! Come see us. This is an event that you don’t want to miss. This is an event for community members, partners, families and caregivers and especially individuals with Disabilities!

The Autism Guide The Shine Project Foundation San Diego Regional Center

🌟 Join Together We Grow at the San Diego Regional Center’s 4th Annual Resource Fair! 🌟

We’re excited to be part of this wonderful community event on Saturday, September 26, from 9:00 AM–3:30 PM! 💙

Come visit Together We Grow at Booth #1050 to learn more about our programs and services for medically fragile children and young adults, meet our team, and connect with us!

📍 San Diego Convention Center
📅 September 26, 2026
⏰ 9:00 AM–3:30 PM
📌 Booth #1050

We look forward to seeing families, caregivers, providers, and community partners! Come stop by and say hello! 👋💙

08/17/2026

I highly recommend connecting with The Autism Guide | Parent Support, Resources & Wellness and Monique Haithcock | Caregiver Wellness Coach | San Diego, CA if you’re looking for support, clarity, and guidance as you navigate the journey of autism.

Their brand‑new website makes it easy to get connected — and the support they offer is the kind every California family deserves from the very beginning.

The Autism Guide provides clear, compassionate guidance through Regional Center services, the Self‑Determination Program, caregiver wellness, and everything in between. Navigating disability systems can feel overwhelming, but with The Autism Guide | Parent Support, Resources & Wellness by your side, you don’t have to do it alone. 💛✨

08/15/2026

We are only a little bit over a month away from this amazing community event! Get your tickets today!

08/15/2026

SDRC individuals and families, join our very first Community Connections! Each month, we will hold an informative presentation (either in-person or online) highlighting SDRC services and community resources designed to support you and your family.

September’s spotlight is BrightLife Kids! BrightLife Kids offers free behavioral health support for children and families. Get support with everyday concerns like stress, communication, school, relationships, and emotional regulation. No insurance or referral required. Services and resources are 100% free!

🗓️ Thursday, September 10 | 10am-11am on Zoom
Register here: https://f.mtr.cool/bnnbhkywog
Interpretation is available upon request. Two weeks notice required.

08/07/2026

✨ Friday Down Memory Lane

I’ve been feeling more and more called to help bridge the gap between community leaders and community members — especially individuals with I/DD and other disabilities, and the families who support them. The systems they’re expected to navigate are complex, overwhelming, and often inaccessible, and I want to be part of making that process easier, clearer, and more humane.

I want to be out in the community — listening, learning, and standing alongside families who are trying to make sense of the supports available to them. And I want to use my voice, my experience, and my heart to advocate for change at the state level. My goal is to meet with legislators, representatives, and state leaders to help create a better way forward — one where policies reflect real lived experiences, where families feel supported instead of lost, and where individuals with disabilities are seen, heard, and valued.

This isn’t just about advocacy. It’s about connection, relationships, and making sure every person with a disability has access to the tools, resources, and opportunities they need to thrive.

✨ Five months ago, I walked into the State Capitol for the first time — and it lit something inside me. Seeing the work happening up close reminded me exactly why this matters. It pushed me to grow, to show up more, and to become an even stronger advocate for our disability community.

I know now that visit was just the beginning.

I’m ready to stand in the gap.
Ready to lead.
Ready to help create real change for our community.

We’re just getting started. 🤍✨

08/03/2026

I can’t believe it’s already a new month but here we go into a new one with purpose and a few action steps.
🌟 EmpowerConnect Community Partner Highlight: Path‑Now 🌟
This month, we’re excited to spotlight Path‑Now, a California‑based organization dedicated to helping individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) connect with the services they need — quickly, safely, and easily.
Path‑Now offers one of the largest and most comprehensive directories of service providers across California, including:
Vocational & Independent Living Programs
Transportation & Recreational Services
Healthcare & Support Resources …and so much more.
Through their accessible platform, individuals and families can create a free profile and get custom‑matched to providers that meet their unique needs and preferences.
At EmpowerConnect Services, we believe in building bridges — and Path‑Now is doing exactly that for our IDD community by transforming how people access care and support across the state.
✨ Learn more about Path‑Now and how they’re expanding choice and connection: Visit Path‑Now