April Villafaña Advocacy

02/17/2026

No such thing as “The student’s LRE is…..” An individualized LRE, unique to each student, is a myth. The fact is under the law, there is only one LRE – the general education classroom with access to peers without disabilities. Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates, Inc.

Of late we have been hearing confusing discussion regarding the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE). The sentence often begins with “the student’s LRE is…..” Sometimes the rest of that sentence indicates a placement that is the general education classroom alongside peers who do not have disa...

02/12/2026

The Law Office of Matthew Storey, APC is presenting on Monday, February 23rd for an Advanced Special Education Training Series on Compensatory Education

Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Wj8a8D5FT6GXFpdM9Es8wA #/registration

Join Us February 23rd for an Advanced Special Education Training Series on Compensatory Education

Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Wj8a8D5FT6GXFpdM9Es8wA #/registration

02/09/2026

The Vintage Fit is still looking for a few more volunteers (of all abilities) to be models in their upcoming Fashion Show!💃🏻🕺
🗓 Saturday, February 21st
⏰ 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM (arrive 10 AM - 11AM)
📍 North County Mall 272 East Via Rancho Parkway, Escondido, CA 92025
* Rehearsals will be February 15th & 20th 10:30 AM - 4 PM
Registration is closing soon! 🚨
Learn more & sign up here: https://www.justserve.org/projects/6b0c8dc4-2432-4522-b34f-75bb29ca5862/volunteer-models-of-all-abilities-needed–for–the-vintage-fit–fashion-show?shiftId=c7f4b4e5-35a0-43d3-8e85-7ef4455a5b0c
I’m just sharing this volunteer / community opportunity. If you have any questions, please email your questions to: Carmen Burrola at burrolacarmen56@gmail.com

Looking for volunteers of all ability levels and ages to be models in a fashion show for The Vintage Fit. Volunteers also needed to help run the fashion

02/06/2026

NCCSE's Community Resource Fair
This Saturday, February 7th.
Drop in between 10:00am to 12:00pm
255 Pico Ave. San Marcos, CA 92069

02/05/2026

Building Meaningful Bridges: Advancing Inclusive Practices for All Learners! 👩🏻‍🎓
This looks wonderful & it’s free 🎉
North County Special Education Conference
Date: Wednesday, February 11, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM
Location: Cal State San Marcos

Info on Conference Sessions: https://sites.google.com/view/sdncsec2026/conference-speakers-sessions/keynote-featured-panel-conference-sessions?authuser=0

Registration Link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfoBsBMWFBNOpAyYTb-d9jRcr6j-oGKkMNEVzFDp5ivlAlqAQ/viewform

Conference Keynote

10/04/2025

My family and I are our way! 🚘 San Diego Regional Center Annual Vendor & Family Resource Fair. 🎉
🕘 TODAY 9am-3:30pm
📍San Diego Convention Center

09/30/2025

Free Play with Purpose, led by Occupational Therapy Students from the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences 😍

09/30/2025

National Down Syndrome Congress has a new Policy Brief on Assistive Technology Devises and Services 😄
5 Page Document: https://ndsccenter.org/file_download/inline/45454140-accf-421f-99f6-5863f5fb4308?fbclid=IwY2xjawM3EghleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFjUDhyU3FsMERYNVZaMXo3AR4_roWeMuNkKAyH37j7u_Ec2BQHgSy-r3vOKQyeB0FL7AtWACpHaww3YtDUSg_aem_WfeHLiXC6VGnUdKiytTyIg

08/24/2025

See you there! 🏀 💫 ✨

08/10/2025

So excited for the clubtwentyone webinar TOMORROW, Monday, August 11th!
The Alternative Pathway to a High School Diploma in California is for students with cognitive disabilities, including intellectual disability, Down syndrome, etc., whose IEP teams determine they qualify for California Alternate Assessments. This pathway helps students earn a state-recognized diploma through instruction aligned to core content connectors and alternate achievement standards. The intent is for students to be included and educated alongside their typically developing non-disabled peers to the greatest extent, in general education classes, co-taught classes, electives, and extracurricular school activities, while focusing on academic skills that prepare them for life skills and success after graduation.
ZOOM LINK:
HTTPS://US02WEB.ZOOM.US/J/7671312005?PWD=WU5PE0WSR6IM9OTRCFYGLN7XKXJJQE.1&OMN=81890889041
Meeting ID: 767 131 2005
Passcode: Club21

08/04/2025

A Due Process Hearing is currently live/open (out of state), and the family, who is represented by Dragan Law Firm, LLC has chosen to make the hearing public. By opening the proceedings, this family is helping to shed light on the experiences of children with disabilities and the systemic issues that often go unseen. Public access to special education hearings is a powerful tool for transparency and accountability.
See attached post below for link from Dragan Law Firm.

Thank you to everyone who supported this family. The hearing is concluded and a decision will post in September.

It will be a deep and painful dive into years of failure to teach a bright young child to read, write or spell. The family is opening the hearing to the public. Allowing the public into these hearings is an important way to shed light on what happens inside of schools to children with disabilities. Please consider supporting this family by joining the Webex live next week.

Go to Webex and enter meeting ID above if link does not work

08/01/2025

California Department of Developmental Services encourages you to explore this Standardized Respite Tool, and share your feedback with DDS by Thursday, August 28, 2025. Please email Respite@dds.ca.gov with any questions. 💌 Links to the Standardized Respire Tool, webinar recording, webinar slides and the online feedback form can be found at the website below 😄

A new tool is being developed to help regional centers determine respite hours. The goal of the Standardized Respite Tool is to: Create an easy-to-use form that provides some consistency across the state. Avoid big changes to the authorized respite hours that individuals and families currently have....