Transparency
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Representatives from Far Northern Regional Center (FNRC) joined advocates from across the state March 2–3 for the annual Grassroots Day hosted by the Association of Regional Center Agencies, engaging lawmakers and promoting policies to strengthen services for individuals with developmental disabilities.
The event brought together Self-Advocates Amy Facca, Rebekah Amick, William Moore, along with We Care A Lot Executive Director Brandi Seaters, regional center Executive Director Melissa Gruhler, Associate Director Tamra Panther, and staff members Cecina Hines, Jessica Torres and Jess Nestelroad. The self-advocates and community partners received advocacy training and met directly with legislators. Participants focused on building communication strategies while advancing key legislative priorities affecting California’s regional center system.
During the two-day event, the group met with legislative staff of Megan Dahle, Heather Hadwick, James Gallagher, Mike McGuire and Chris Rogers. The meetings provided an opportunity to discuss legislation, answer questions and highlight the role regional centers play in supporting nearly 500,000 Californians with developmental disabilities.
Among the top priorities was Assembly Bill 1670, [DOCX] which seeks to improve access to dental care for individuals with developmental disabilities. Advocates said current policy limits reimbursement for behavior management services unless they are performed alongside another dental procedure, creating barriers for patients who cannot complete visits. Individuals with developmental disabilities face increased risk of dental disease due to:
- Physical and neuromuscular challenges
- Behavioral concerns such as fear and anxiety
- Sensory sensitivities (e.g., sound, lighting)
- Longer treatment times required for care
The bill would allow the service to be provided on its own up to three times annually.
Advocates also supported Assembly Bill 2324, which would establish a career pathway program for youth caregivers. The proposal calls for integrating caregiving education into high school curricula, allowing students to earn credit while preparing for careers in the direct support workforce. Supporters say the measure addresses both workforce shortages and the needs of hundreds of thousands of young caregivers in California. California faces a longstanding shortage in direct support professionals. At the same time:
- Family caregiving plays a critical role in supporting individuals with disabilities and seniors
- Approximately 4.4 million family caregivers provide $81 billion in unpaid care
- An estimated 200,000 to 600,000 youth in California serve as caregivers
These youth often perform tasks aligned with direct support professions but lack formal recognition or structured pathways.
In addition to legislative proposals, participants highlighted the need to stabilize funding for regional centers. Advocates said current funding formulas do not adequately reflect staffing costs or the growing demand for services, emphasizing the importance of sustained investment to ensure effective service coordination and access to care.
Click here [PDF, 661.02 KB] to review ARCA Regional Center Budget and Demo
Click here [PDF, 2.19 MB] to review ARCA Flow of Funds
Grassroots Day 2026 also marked the 60th anniversary of California’s first regional centers, established in 1966 under legislation by former Assemblymember Jerome Waldie. The milestone underscores decades of progress in building a community-based system designed to support individuals with developmental disabilities in living independent and integrated lives.
California’s regional center system, created under the Lanterman Act, provides assessment, service coordination and advocacy, along with early intervention and family support services. Regional centers serve nearly 500,000 individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Established under the Lanterman Act (1969), the system guarantees Individualized planning through IPPs and IFSPs as well as access to services based on eligibility, without waitlists. According to survey data cited during the event, more than 90% of individuals served report that these services help them live a good life.
Grassroots Day 2026 provided FNRC representatives with a critical opportunity to advocate for meaningful policy changes, strengthen relationships with legislators, and elevate the needs of individuals with developmental disabilities.
Through focused discussions on legislation such as AB 1670 and AB 2324, as well as broader funding and system sustainability issues, the event reinforced the importance of continued advocacy at the state level.
By participating in Grassroots Day, FNRC and its partners demonstrated their commitment to improving access, equity, and quality of life for the communities they serve.