NEW  Regional Center of Orange County   Regional Center of Orange County (RCOC) coordinates life-long services and supports for   individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.  The regional center is the first stop for individuals and families seeking to obtain local services and supports to help them live safely and with dignity in the community.

Tips for Parents: Helping Youth Develop Soft Skills for Job Success 

Tips for Parents: Helping Youth Develop Soft Skills for Job Success (Espanol)  Ayudando a los jóvenes a Desarrollar Habilidades Sociales para tener Éxito en el Trabajo: Consejos para los Padres y las Familias
 

Helping Youth Develop Soft Skills for Job Success (Podcast)
The National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth (NCWD/Youth) has just released a new podcast series for parents and families titled, “Helping Youth Develop Soft Skills for Job Success.”   This podcast series provides ideas for parents and families on activities they can do at home and include in their child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) to ensure he or she develops skills needed for job success by the time he or she completes high school. The podcast series includes the following four episodes:
Podcast Episode #1: “Helping Youth Develop Soft Skills for Job Success,” explains what soft skills  are, why they matter to employers, why teaching soft skills is especially important for youth  with disabilities, and how families can help youth develop these skills. Listen to Episode #1 (mp3). 
Podcast Episode #2: “How to Build Communication Skills for Job Success” explains what communication  skills, including verbal and nonverbal skills, matter to employers and shares practical ways that families can help youth develop them. Listen to Episode #2 (mp3).
Podcast Episode #3: “How to Build Interpersonal Skills for Job Success” explains what interpersonal skills practical ways that families can help youth develop them. Listen to Episode #3 (mp3).
Podcast Episode #4: “How to Build Lifelong Learning Skills for Job Success” explains what lifelong learning  skills matter to employers, including taking initiative and decision making skills, and shares practical ways that families can help youth develop them. Listen to Episode #4 (mp3).

 
Parent Timeline for Transition Activities
Parent Timeline for Transition Actions Needed

Independence Day: An Exercise for Parents
Foster Independence - Suggestions  
 

Transition Planning Checklist for Students/Parents
Transition Planning Checklist for Student and Parents Espanol 
 

Age of Majority Information for Parents  



Health Care Notebook
A major role of a care notebook is to help parents/caregivers maintain an ongoing record of their child's care, services, providers, and notes. This notebook is a great tool in empowering families to become the experts on their child's care. It is also a way to maintain the lines of communication between the many providers and services that help care for a child and their family. 

Health Care Transition 
Growing up and becoming an adult is difficult for all youth, but can be especially challenging for young people with special health care needs. This video was developed to help youth and young adults with chronic health conditions and their families be better prepared for adulthood, especially the move from pediatric to adult-oriented health care. This video was developed through a contract from Children's Medical Services to the University of Florida. Run time: 29 minutes  (2007 )

 

NEW Conservatorship Information  What is it? How to begin a Conservatorship? Where to file?  
Conservatorship Resources 

Superior Court of California County of Orange Information on Conservatorship

Limited Conservatorship Facts  (State Council on Developmental Disabilities: Area Board XI Brochure)
Handbook for Conservators  (California Courts Self-Help Center) This handbook begins at the point where you have been appointed conservator of person, estate, or limited conservator of a person or estate.  It is not a do-it-yourself handbook. It explains what is expected of you and suggests resources to help.

Spanish/Español: Manual para Tutores
Obligaciones del tutor

Kids and the Law: An A-to-Z Guide for Parents  is designed to give parents a basic overview of some of the laws that apply to children—laws created, in many instances, to help safeguard your youngsters at school, in part-time jobs and at play. This updated version of the guide can also help you understand your rights and responsibilities as a parent and assist you in answering your children’s questions about the law
Kids and the Law: An A-to-Z Guide for Parents (Español)
 

Parenting Post Secondary Students with Disabilities  this article addresses the role of parents as mentors, advocates, and guides.
Parent Letter En Espanol
 

Guide to Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act for Colleges

 
SSI and Self-Sufficiency Information Kit for Teachers, Parents, and Counselors
SSA Starter Kit for Adults 
SSA Starter Kit for Children

Social Security Disability Benefits and  Work Incentives for Teachers and Parents
 

California Family Empowerment Centers
- Team of Advocates for Special Kids, Inc. (Anaheim)
- The Parents’ Place Family Resource Center (San Gabriel/Pomona)
- Westside Family Resource and Empowerment Center (LA County)

 
 Family Resource Center Network of California website includes a listing of Family Support Sites