Press Release – CA H&V Introduces CARES CPRC

****PARA PUBLICACIÓN INMEDIATA****
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
California Hands & Voices introduces CARES CPRC
Community, Advocacy, Resources, Empowerment Support
Community Parent Resource Center
California Hands & Voices is proud to announce their newest program CARES CPRC.
 
According to Gallaudet Research Institute, approximately 40-60% Deaf and Hard of Hearing children have an additional disability under IDEA (2005). In order to serve the needs of the families in San Diego and Imperial County, California Hands Voices created CARES CPRC (Community, Advocacy, Resources, Empowerment Support Community Parent Resource Center) that allows the expansion of our programs and services to empower families raising children with a wide range of disabilities ages birth to 26 years old. By expanding our outreach to provide access to our programs and services to a wider range of disabilities we are able to better serve the greater need of the community.
 
CARES CPRC is funded through our nation’s special education law, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Nationwide, Community Parent Resource Centers help to ensure underserved parents of children with disabilities, including low-income parents, parents of children who are English learners, and parents with disabilities, have the training and information they need to enable them to participate effectively in helping their children.  
 
CARES Area of Focus 
Families of infants, toddlers, children, and youth with disabilities, birth to 26
Spanish Speaking families in San Diego and Imperial County
 
CARES Service Area
CARES CPRC serves San Diego and Imperial County
 
Find a Parent Center Near You Statewide Here

CARES Mission

California Hands & Voices’ CPRC, CARES (Community, Advocacy, Resources, Empowerment Support), is dedicated to empowering families with children and young adults with disabilities in a respectful and non-judgmental manner. Our goal is to build the capacity of families and people with disabilities from birth to age 26 to help them navigate the special education and other service systems. We are parent-driven and provide families with the resources, networks, and information to prepare them for the challenges of raising a child with disabilities. Our outreach activities, parent/professional collaboration, and advocacy efforts are focused on enabling children and young adults to be effective self-advocates prepared to lead productive, independent adult lives to the maximum extent possible. 

CARES Culture

We are parent-driven, parent/professional collaborative team that supports families in a non-judgmental manner. We believe families need access to good information and have a right to make decisions for their child and family. We believe Parent-to-Parent support is a cornerstone for families finding their way. We empower parents to become advocates for their children and to become parent leaders locally and beyond. We believe in cultural representation and sensitivity. We meet families where they are and support them based on the unique needs of their child/family. 
 
We are here for you! 
We are here to listen to your story and assist you. Our services are driven by the diverse needs of the families we serve. We can help you understand your child’s disability, understand your rights and responsibilities under IDEA, obtain and evaluate resources and services for your child, and fully participate as a team member with professionals in planning services for your child. 
Training 
We offer various workshops and training throughout the year to build knowledge and skills for families. We help you understand your child, youth, adult or family member with disability, and will walk side by side with you so that you get the resources they need, and the support you need. 
Lost in Translation 
We work closely with each family to bridge the culture and language gap that can be challenging when working with hospitals, clinics, schools, and social services. 
 
Support Groups
Our peer support group offers families an easy way to connect with others that have similar experiences. Families can gain resources that build self-advocacy skills and become empowered to make an informed decision for their family. Come meet other families, learn about community resources and practice self-advocacy skills. 
 
You are Not Alone We connect parents with other community based services and resources such as local community health clinics, early intervention organizations just to name a few depending on the unique needs of each family. 
 
We Understand
Get one on one help with your questions and concerns about education, early childhood, behaviors, transition to adulthood, and more!
 
 
For more information Contact: 
 
 
 
 
California Hands & Voices is a non-profit 501(c)(3) parent-driven organization providing families with the resources, networks, and information to improve communication access and educational outcomes for their children.

Join us in Welcoming Joy Goyos to the California Hands & Voices Team
CARES Co-Director
Joe Goyos has spent the last 20 years in the disability field in many roles and capacities. At the age of 12 his father had an accident and suffered a spine injury which left him with limited mobility. His family was non-English speaking Cuban immigrants, as a result Joe translated at all appointments for his mom. That experience set him on a path that led to positions as a Paraprofessional, Teacher, Director of Structured Day Program for adults with Traumatic Brain Injuries, Special Education Advocate, and Coordinator of a NYS Dept. of Ed. Parent Center. In 2010, his family moved to California where he worked at Support for Families in San Francisco as the Community Parent Resource Center (CPRC) Program Director till the family moved again in 2020 to San Diego and he joined Exceptional Family Resource Center. In 2021, CARES was awarded a US Department of Education CPRC grant for Southern California and Joe joined the team to bring those needed services to San Diego and Imperial Counties.