Family Resource and Empowerment Center

A bright family room with red leather couches, a table and chairs, shelves of picture books and a mural of a heart that reads My Life Is.

Family Support & Advocacy

Watch “Westside Family Resource and Empowerment Center (WFREC)” on YouTube

Watch this video in Spanish

The Westside Family Resource and Empowerment Center () is housed within the same building and works in collaboration with the Westside Regional Center, local school districts, and community-based organizations that provide supports and services to children and their families. The WFREC is staffed by experienced parents and family members who are qualified to provide emotional, technical, and informational support to families who have an infant, child, or young adult with a disability, chronic illness, or other health care need.

They offer a variety of support groups where parents have the opportunity to meet and learn from other parents. These groups are designed to provide information, resources, community, and hope. When families share common concerns and experiences, the support can be uniquely meaningful. They also sponsor training and workshops to help families learn how to understand and navigate the often-times complex systems of care in California.

Address: 777 Aviation Blvd, El Segundo, CA 90245

Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (appointment only)

Phone: (310) 258-4278 Email: westsidefrec@westsiderc.org

Website: wfrec.org Linktree: https://linktr.ee/westsidefrec

WFREC Brochure 2022 Calendar of Events
Download in English
Download in Spanish

Support groups

Bugle Horn Autism Support Group

The group provides opportunities for parents to benefit from the experiences and support of professionals as well as other parents and learn valuable coping and intervention strategies. When joining this support group you will have access to conferences, workshops, free tickets and entry into special events, information on advocacy and research groups.

Facilitator Contact Information Meeting Date/Time Registration
Florence Bracy 323-574-0862

bracyflorence2013@gmail.com

www.florencebracy.com

2nd Monday of each month, January-November, from 5:00-6:45PM. Register in advance with Florence via email or phone.

Ethiopian Parents of Special Needs Children

This support group focuses on various challenging issues that Ethiopian families face once their child has been identified with special needs. The objective of this group is to support each other, to share experiences, to empower families, to educate and inform families of resources, and to become an organized community base resource.

Facilitator Contact Information Meeting Date/Time Registration
Feben Fantu 310-447-5111

FebenF@WestsideRC.org

Every 3rd Friday of each month

6:30 – 8:30pm

Download the Flyer

Register in advance for this meeting.

Informed Education Partners (IEP)

This group will informally address the questions and concerns that families have about their child’s Special Education services and support. We will share information and provide specific strategies so that parents can become confident and collaborative team members. Come and learn the tools and techniques necessary to ensure an appropriate and meaningful education for all of our children.

Facilitators Contact Information Meeting Date/Time Registration
Feben Fantu 310-258-4278

FebenF@WestsideRC.org

English group:

1st Thursday of each month

6:30 pm – 8:30 pm

Download the Flyer

Register in advance for this meeting.

Ron Lopez 310-258-4002

RonL@WestsideRC.org

Spanish group:

1st Thursday of each month

6:30 pm – 8:30 pm

Download the Flyer

Register in advance for this meeting.

Level Up: African American/Black Families Support Group

Our mission is to provide and ensure that people with developmental disabilities and their families have equitable access to information, resources, services, and advocacy skills that facilitates empowerment to “Level Up” their quality of care in collaboration with Westside Regional Center and the Westside Family Resource and Empowerment Center.

Facilitator Contact Information Meeting Date/Time Registration
Beverly Hutchinson sisterspice7@aol.com Every 3rd Thursday of the month

6:30 – 8:30pm

Download the Flyer

Register in advance for this meeting.

Los Angeles Asperger Syndrome Parents’ Support Group

A drop-in support group open to anyone interested in Asperger Syndrome or related issues (including all Autism Spectrum Disorders).

Facilitators Contact Information Meeting Date/Time Registration
Jim Divine

Fran Goldfarb

laasperger@gmail.com

310-636-0101

laasperger.wordpress.com

Every 2nd Wednesday of each month

7:30 pm – 8:30 pm

Please email Fran at laasperger@gmail.com (before 6:00 PM on the day of the meeting). She will confirm your RSVP and send instructions on how to log on.
Two women work together at a round table in the family library, with shelves of books behind them.
The family library

Siempre Amigas

This group offers support for Spanish speaking parents of infants, toddlers, and children with special needs. This group is led in Spanish.

Facilitator Contact Information Meeting Date/Time Registration
Martha Montealegre MarthaM@WestsideRC.org

310-258-4061

Every 3rd Monday of each month

10:30am-12:30pm

Download the Flyer

Register in advance for this meeting.

West Los Angeles CHADD

We are a group affiliated with CHADD: Children & Adults with ADD. We meet nine times per year, September to November, January to June, on the 3rd Tuesday. We present speakers and topics covering a wide range of interests designed to aid adults with ADD/ADHD, and parents of children with ADHD/ADD.

Facilitator Contact Information Meeting Date/Time Registration
Regina Lark 310-995-7953

www.meetup.com/WLAChadd

Every 3rd Tuesday of each month

7:00 pm – 8:30 pm

Register in advance for this meeting.

Monthly support groups

Different Thinkers, Different Learners

This is a series of 11 sessions where parents will learn about different disabilities and diagnoses through a psychoeducational perspective. In these classes, tips and strategies will be given on how to best support your child. The titles of the sessions are listed on the flyer.

Instructor Contact Information Meeting Date/Time Registration
Mariana Leñero www.marianalenero.com

mariana@centrointegra.com

Every second Thursday of the month

5:30 PM

February – December 2022

Download the flyer

Register in advance for this workshop series.

Sibshops

A support program for siblings who have brothers or sisters with any special needs who are WRC clients. Sibshops provide peer support and information in a lively, recreational setting.

Instructor(s) Contact Information Meeting Date/Time Registration
TBA TBA 2nd Saturday of each month (October to June)

9:00 am – 1:00 pm

Contact the WFREC for details

Understanding and Navigating the In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) Program

We will provide: an overview of the IHSS Program; the types of services offered; provide suggestions on the types of information you should collect for the application and how to keep yourself organized; how to submit your application and what to expect at the home visit; next steps; and your right to appeal if you disagree with a decision made.

Instructor Contact Information Meeting Date/Time Registration
Ereida Galda 310-258-4218

EreidaG@WestsideRC.org

English workshop:

2nd Tuesday of each month

10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Download the flyer

Register for the ENGLISH workshop.

Ereida Galda 310-258-4218

EreidaG@WestsideRC.org

Spanish workshop:

1st Tuesday of each month

10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Download the flyer

Register for the SPANISH workshop.