Advocacy
Regional Centers work with community partners to protect the legal and civil rights of individuals served. GGRC supports advocacy efforts on an individual, local, state and national level. We do this by honoring and responding to the individual choices and aspirations of the people we serve, partnering with individuals, families and the greater community to speak up for disabilities rights, and advocating for the investment in innovative and supportive services for people with I/DD.
Our Approach to Advocacy
People served by Golden Gate Regional Center can expect the agency to advocate for their rights and needs. Ways GGRC provides advocacy include:
- The Service Provider Advisory Committee (SPAC) in partnership with GGRC staff meet with local elected officials and host an annual legislative breakfast
- The Executive Director meets with public officials and agencies on behalf of the needs and concerns of persons served by GGRC and the regional center system
- The People’s Caucus, a GGRC board committee, comprised of persons served by the regional center, advises GGRC and the GGRC board
- The GGRC Rights Advocate serves as a resource to individuals served, GGRC staff, service providers and families on the rights of persons with developmental disabilities
In addition to the above, GGRC may refer individuals and families to the local Clients’ Rights Advocate provided by the Office of Clients’ Rights Advocacy (OCRA). This person is a legal professional who can help persons served by the regional center in negotiations, meetings and hearings involving GGRC or other public agencies.
Self-Advocacy
You know your dreams, interests, strengths and needs better than anyone. You are the expert on yourself. GGRC wants to support you to make your own decisions about services and supports that can help you reach your goals.
Sharing your goals and what is important to you will with your GGRC social worker will help you get the services that support you best. This is part of “self-advocacy” – sharing your thoughts, asking questions, making requests and deciding what works for you.
Like other Californians, state and federal laws give you the legal right to make decisions and choices about:
- What you want to do during the day
- Who you want to work with you
- How you want to be part of the community
- Where to work
- Where to live and with whom
- Your relationships
In California, there is a special law called the Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Act. This is sometimes called the “Lanterman Act.” It gives you a right to services and supports to help you live a life in which you make the decisions and work toward your dreams and goals.
Be a Self-Advocate
- Express your wants and needs.
- Visit and review any programs or living options before choosing one.
- Ask questions.
- You may want to ask advice from trusted people to help support you in making your decision.
- If there is disagreement about services offered by the regional center, get help.
- Ask your social worker or GGRC’s Rights Advocate for information about the appeal process if your disagreement cannot be resolved.
- Ask your social worker about self-advocacy trainings and advocacy groups you can join.
- Get involved in your community and vote in elections!
To learn more about advocacy, contact the GGRC Rights Advocate at advocate@ggrc.org or (415) 546-9222.
The AdvoCats
The AdvoCats is a committee in collaborative partnership with Golden Gate Regional Center. The AdvoCats members consist of self-advocates, parents, service providers, GGRC staff and Board members, and other interested parties.
The mission of the AdvoCats is to help promote local, state-wide, and national efforts that will help preserve and improve the quality of life for all people living with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Some of our actions and activities:
- We work to build relationships with our legislators, meeting with them at least twice a year, more frequently when issues demand it.
- We create templates and sample letters for self-advocates and families to use, and we try to keep them informed about specific campaigns.
- We write letters – to policy makers and newspapers, clarifying the issues that affect our population.
- We collaborate with other groups on media campaigns
- We co-sponsor an annual Legislative Breakfast
If you would like to get involved with The AdvoCats, please submit your request on our Contact Us page.
News and Events
Event
GGRC to Host Two Legislative Breakfasts
Golden Gate Regional Center will host local legislators for breakfast on Friday, May 8th and Friday, May 15th. The purpose of these breakfasts is to urge our lawmakers to continue to […]
Event
Come to the GGRC Rainbow Club!
The Golden Gate Regional Center Rainbow Club is a social club for individuals served by GGRC who identify anywhere on the LGBTQ+ spectrum. The club is open to anyone who is Lesbian, […]
Announcement
Now Available: GGRC Public Records Request Portal
December 30, 2025
Golden Gate Regional Center is committed to transparency and public access to information. Beginning January 1, 2026, members of the public may submit requests for public records through our online […]
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