News and events

We still have about 400 go-kits left to give out. DDS has expanded eligibility, allowing more people to receive one. You may now qualify if you live with a parent, relative, or legal guardian! (Before, only those living independently or with support could get one.) Please note that these kits contain content suitable for teens… Read more »

You’re Invited: Wildfire Resilience Workshop Series: Share Your Voice!  You’re invited to join the Wildfire Regional Priority Projects Workshop Series, hosted by Ventura County Resource Conservation District. These community-focused workshops are designed to foster collaboration and gather input on wildfire resilience efforts across our region. These sessions are a great opportunity to learn about local fire… Read more »

Tri-Counties Regional Center is pleased to announce the official launch of our in-house disaster preparedness program designed for those served by Tri-Counties Regional Center (TCRC), their families, and their service providers. But what does RESCUE mean? Living in California, we face many hazards, and the frequency and intensity of natural disasters have only increased. According… Read more »

Wildfires remain a serious concern in California, and recovery can be especially difficult for those we serve. Recently, DDS asked our Emergency Response Coordinator to review a trauma support resource initially created in Hawaii to see if it could help our community. The Department of Developmental Services (DDS) decided to move forward with the creation… Read more »

A list of active calls in the Tri-Counties catchment area…

Great tips on how to evacuate with little notice…

Resources for information, support and assistance during an emergency

Several organizations accepting donations or volunteers…

Welcome to the Lanterman & Friends world created by California’s Department of Developmental Services and the Regional Centers to give cape-less superheroes like you thrilling videos that explain how we work and what supports are available for YOU! This short, funny, and information-packed story explains the complex but critically important Regional Center system to nearly… Read more »

The HCBS Final Rule Animated Series (opens in a new tab) made in partnership with Tri-Counties Regional Center and Public Pixels Media won 3 Anthem Webby Awards!  The awards recognize the series for their impact on accessibility, education, and creative storytelling.  They won two silver awards for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) through community collaboration and innovation and… Read more »

The HCBS Final Rule Animated Series (opens in a new tab) made in partnership with Tri-Counties Regional Center and Public Pixels Media won 3 Anthem Webby Awards!  Watch a series of fun, animated shorts to learn about the HCBS Final Rule. The HCBS Final Rule animations have been translated into several languages. View other languages here. There is… Read more »

Watch a series of fun, animated shorts designed on how to uphold the HCBS Final Rule

Watch a series of fun, animated shorts designed to help you understand your rights under the HCBS Final Rule

Join us for our Communities of Practice workshops at any of our 7 offices!

We are holding a Town Hall in Santa Paula on July 16th at 1pm…  Find Town Hall details here.

Dental clinics scheduled in 2025 by area

In May, more than 30 parents gathered at the Santa Maria office of Tri-Counties Regional Center (TCRC) for a Spanish-language workshop.  For many, it was their first time attending a public meeting at the center. This was the first session of Talleres para Familias, a new pilot Spanish-language Community of Practice at TCRC.  A Community… Read more »

“What’s next is smart homes where Jamie can control the thermostat, open and close the curtains, and use the iPad to see who’s at the door…There’s so much potential.”

“…get it done so you can keep your teeth for life. I have my smile back and I couldn’t be happier.”

Haga clic aquí para español by Patricia Forgey “I want a hug!”…Of course, I said “yes!”! My first interaction with Tilla told me so much about her spirit, her nature – about whom she is and the person she has become. The support and advocacy of her sister and membership in the Friendship Center, being… Read more »

As the auditorium lights dim, the elegantly costumed dancers glide across the stage with delicate grace. At first glance, you might not notice that one of the dancers is using an electric wheelchair; that dancer is Jessica Clay. Jessica has been dancing since age 9 and although she has many other interests, dance is her… Read more »

They say a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. For some of us taking that first step can seem daunting. That journey could come in many forms: striving for a personal goal, taking on a home project, embarking on an educational path, or in some cases, becoming an advocate to improve… Read more »

Jonathan Rosales has always enjoyed shopping at Best Buy. He really appreciated their excellent customer service. On one of his shopping trips, he expressed an interest in employment and inquired about any possible job openings that they may have. The sales person directed Jon to use the company website to fill out a job application…. Read more »

Jon Seyster (http://jonseyster.com), 32, of Simi Valley, has discovered his passion. Drawing great strength from his spirituality, he lives with cerebral palsy and hearing loss, “but I don’t allow that to stop me from living an amazing life,” as he wrote on the flyer announcing his book, Jon’s Peaceful Thoughts. A one-man powerhouse, he’s a… Read more »

Chad Brunot stands in the doorway of his very own home, sweet home. “Today is Day Number 80,” he announces. He moved in last June after surmounting great challenges to arrive there, fortified by his typical optimism and the support of his TCRC Service Coordinator and mentor from SAGE (a TCRC service provider). Last year,… Read more »

A featured artist in Santa Barbara author Debra Hosseini’s popular book, The Art of Autism, Jason Cantu, 28, had his first solo art show at TCRC’s office in San Luis Obispo. The show, All Over the Map, hung during the first quarter of 2014. This was the inaugural art show at the San Luis Obispo… Read more »

Ana Tamayo gets up early every morning and goes to work, returning home by 3:00 p.m. She works at A.C.C.E.S.S, (Adult Community Center for Educational Support Services.) Offered through the Ventura County Office of Education, A.C.C.E.S.S. is an educational program located in Moorpark that provides functional skill training for young adults with moderate to severe… Read more »

Wearing a bright neon vest over his Ralphs shirt to help drivers see him in the parking lot, Luis Prado pushes carts around. A lot. He’s been employed at Ralphs for over 14 years. He greets regular customers with a cheery smile and a wave, and comments, “What I love about my job is that… Read more »

Won by Arroyo Grande student James Neal The Yes I Can! Awards were established by the national Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), to honor children and youth with disabilities who have excelled. Thousands of children and youth have been recognized since the program’s inception in 1982. Each year, CEC selects approximately 27 winners for their… Read more »

Santa Barbara DJ Chris Benedict is also a presenter and a motivational speaker. He’s been holding monthly dance events that are fully accessible for people with disabilities. He’s expanding now, with a vision to reach out to the entire youth community of Santa Barbara, intending to offer an alcohol and drug free environment with music… Read more »

Nicole Cantrell is an Assistant Aide at Carl Dwire Special Education School where she has been employed for over two years. Working alongside her team, Nicole supports preschoolers in their learning. Some children need a bit of prompting when responding to teacher, Josephine, while others need little reminders to stay on task. Caring and gentle,… Read more »

…It would be surprising if pharmaceutical companies were not already engaged in developing drugs that specifically inhibit NKCC1. The first to gain official approval for the treatment of autism would be the real breakthrough. In the meantime, there is bumetanide.

…Stunningly, a highly significant treatment effect emerged 6 months after treatment had ended. Receptive language skills of the group treated with donepezil plus choline had continued to improve over the ‘washout’ period, whereas those of the placebo group remained the same. However, expressive language skills remained at previous levels in both groups. The implication is that pharmacological treatment started a self-perpetuating process in the brain that eventually improved the children’s ability to at least understand verbal language if not to use it themselves. One wonders whether their improved receptive language will eventually lead to better expressive language.

…Anti-inflammatory drugs are targeted on the pathophysiology of ASD not on behavioral symptoms that occur as consequence.  Many of those symptoms are assumed to be caused or at least exacerbated by neuroinflammation. Thus, when a drug successfully reduces neuroinflammation, one would expect a global reduction in ASD symptoms. Pioglitazone appears to have done this in early trials.

…Developments that followed publication of this study were also unprecedented. Within a month, two major clinical trials with SFN involving individuals with ASD were commissioned by Governmental agencies. The first will be conducted at Rutgers University to completely replicate the original suforaphane trial with a new group of participants. The second allows continuation of Zimmerman and Talalay’s research. Similar methods will be used at the University of Massachusetts for measuring the effects of SFN in children with ASD, aged 3-12y. Additionally, tests will be applied for defining the biological basis for any improvement in the children’s behavior and mental functions. The former is scheduled for completion in 2022 and the latter in 2019. The results of these studies and others undertaken in the interim may show SFN to be the first effective treatment for core symptoms of ASD. They may also show that this hope was unjustified.

…GWP has submitted a New Drug Application to FDA for approval of Epidiolex marketing and prescription for seizure control in Dravet and Lennox-Gastaut syndromes. FDA’s decision is expected this year. GWP is not stopping there. Phase III trials of Epidiolex in Tuberous Sclerosis are underway and early results are promising. Phase II trials with Infantile Spasms have recently begun. The four epilepsies addressed by Epidiolex are very different with respect to etiology and clinical presentation. It would be surprising if the drug were shown to similarly effective in every trial.

…Guanfacine emerged as the most efficacious drug for managing hyperactivity in children with ASD. Yet almost as much attention was given for adjusting guanfacine doses as for methylphenidate to achieve a balance between efficacy and tolerability. Neither drug can be effectively used without careful medical monitoring and dose adjustment. In contrast, atomoxetine was the least efficacious though well tolerated across its pediatric dose range. It is important to note that the same order of efficacy does not apply to typically developing children with ADHD. For them, methylphenidate (or amphetamine) is recognized as most effective drug for reducing hyperactivity, atomoxetine less and guanfacine least of all. It seems the pathophysiological processes that cause hyperactivity in ASD and ADHD are different.