Toby in the Morning sat down with Executive Director of Changing Tides Kerry Venegas to discuss disability services offered to our community through their organization and beyond.

1 in 4 people in our countries population lives with a disability. This equates to 19% of Humboldt County residents are a member of the disability community. That is upwards of 25,000 people right here in home that could benefit from these resources. ;

The corner stone of the disability rights movement is “Nothing about us, without us”.

People living in our community deserve to have all the benefits and rights of us all regardless of disability, but don’t always know their rights or where to go for services. Changing Tides provides services as a beacon of light to eliminate anybody feeling alone or helpless.

In the interview learn about the amazing work of the ;Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) ;established in 1975.

Changing Tides offers certain services for individuals with disabilities from the age of birth to elderly in the from of respite services and Adaptive Skills Training (AST) as well as Supported Parenting Programs (SPP)

• Disability Respite Services - provides temporary support (intermittent or regularly scheduled) to family members and primary caregivers of individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities. One-on-one, provided in-home and in the community.
• Adaptive Skills Training (AST) - support individuals with developmental disabilities to be more effective with their daily living skills at home and in the community – plain language: Increasing independence by building necessary daily living skills.
• Supported Parenting Program (SPP) – support for parents with disabilities and it is now part of the AST program.

From a broader perspective, Changing Tides offer Early Start and Family Empowerment Center for ages birth to 22 years old.

Early Start and Family Empowerment Center for supporting families of children with disabilities to learn about screening, assessment, options, legal and educational rights, services and supports and just a friendly place to feel like your journey is recognized and affirmed.

Working closely with other organizations within our community is crucial, for instance Changing Tides works closely with Redwood Coast Regional Center (RCRC), Tri-County Independent Living (TCIL) and Humboldt Del Norte Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA)

LISTEN TO FULL INTERVIEW BELOW

More Valuable Resources and Information:

• Disability Rights CA: https://www.disabilityrightsca.org/ - advocacy and education organization, grounded in understanding disability rights and the laws supporting them
• Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund: https://www.disabilityrightsca.org/ - good information, very action and activist oriented and CA focused
• Seeds of Partnership: ;https://seedsofpartnership.org/- CA focused clearinghouse and support for family engagement as well as professional development and support for educators

Living with Disabilities