Who is your
clients' rights advocate?
Alta California Regional Center, Sacramento
Jackie Coleman, CRA
Jackie Coleman first became a Clients’ Rights Advocate in June, 2000, at North Bay Regional Center. Since then, Jackie has been the acting CRA at San Andreas Regional Center, Golden Gate Regional Center, and Central Valley Regional Center. Jackie has been the Advocate at Alta California Regional Center since March, 2006.
Jackie first because interested in disability rights when she helped to get services for her nephew, who had a stroke as a baby. Jackie’s nephew is now an adult and is doing great.
Jackie became an attorney in 1982 and went to work for a small law firm handling civil cases. Jackie then had her own office for over ten years. Jackie eventually went to work for Parents Helping Parents assisting children get the special education services that they needed.
Jackie enjoys working with regional center consumers and considers herself lucky to work with and advocate for consumers.
Phone: (916) 575-1615
Central Valley Regional Center, Fresno
Arthur Lipscomb, CRA
All of my life, I have been committed to advocating for the rights of traditionally underserved and disadvantaged communities, with a particular interest in the educational rights of children. I earned my undergraduate degree from the University of California, Berkeley. I majored in Legal Studies with a minor in Education. While at Berkeley, I had the opportunity to work for two years at the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office as a legal intern. I also devoted much of my time to outreach, tutoring and youth mentoring so I could help and motivate young people to get a college education.
I earned my J.D. from the University of California, Davis School of Law. In law school, I worked as a legal extern for the Yolo County Office of Court Counsel and was an intern at Consumers Union. I also participated with my law school’s Pro Bono program and volunteered my time at an employment law clinic.
I started working for OCRA in 2003, after two years working for Legal Services of Northern California. While at LSNC, I first began advocating for persons with disabilities while serving as a CAP Advocate.
I am honored to serve as the Clients’ Rights Advocate for Central Valley Regional Center and look forward to being of service.
Phone: (559 271-6736
Regional Center of the East Bay, Oakland
Anna Leach-Proffer , CRA
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Phone: (510) 267-1280
East Los Angeles Regional Center
Matthew Pope, CRA
After returning from Vietnam, I decided to get a special education teachers' credential. I started as an aide, then became a teacher. In 1978, I went to work at Eastern Los Angeles Regional Center as an intake worker, then became a client program coordinator, a parent training project supervisor, and finally a CRA.
When the law passed to put CRAs under an independent agency, I still wanted to advocate for people with disabilities. I formed a corporation to bid for the contract. I'm glad that my fledgling agency did not get it, but that PAI did.
Phone: (626) 576-4437.
Far Northern Regional Center, Chico, CRA
Andrew Holcombe, CRA
I came to Chico as a VISTA volunteer working with the Community Housing Improvement Program and Legal Services of Northern California right after I became a lawyer. After almost twenty (20) years as a Legal Services housing lawyer, I opened my own solo practice law firm specializing in tenant rights and eviction defense. Ten years later, I closed my private practice and began working as a Client's Rights Advocate with OCRA. My public advocacy is not limited to working at OCRA. In 2004, I was elected to the Chico City Council, and was selected to concurrently serve as mayor for 2006 to 2008. In 2008, I was elected to a second four term on the City Council. I view my advocacy role as making sure that everyone has a voice, and that each voice gets listened to.
Phone: (530) 345-4113
Golden Gate Regional Center, San Francisco
Katy Lusson, CRA
I have worked for over thirty years with people with Developmental Disabilities and has done direct service work in many different capacities. I have a Juris Doctorate and also has a degree in Special Ed. and Psychology.
Phone: (415) 499-9724
Harbor Regional Center, Los Angeles
Katie Casada-Hornberger, CRA
Prior to and periodically during law school, I taught special education. While in law school I interned at Dependency Court Legal Services and The Alliance for Children’s Rights. I came to OCRA after practicing special education law after graduating from law school.
Playing with my three dogs helps me to unwind after some of the challenging cases that come into the office.
Phone: (562) 623-9911
Inland Regional Center, Montclair
Veronica Cervantes, CRA
Phone: (909) 383-1133
Kern Regional Center, Bakersfield
Mario Espinoza, CRA
Before becoming the Clients’ Rights Advocate for clients of Kern Regional Center, I worked for the Law Offices of Chain, Younger, Cohn and Stiles and the Greater Bakersfield Legal Assistance, Inc. I received my J.D. in 2004 from the San Joaquin College of Law after undergraduate at the California State University in Bakersfield where I earned a B.A degree in Political Science and Economics with a concentration in Pre-Law. I am married to the woman of my dreams and have two children. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my family, reading, playing basketball, and skydiving. I hope to make a significant impact assisting people with disabilities to understand and exercise their rights under the law in order to develop a sense of empowerment, independence and equality.
Phone: (661) 327-8531 ext. 313
Lanterman Regional Center, Los Angeles
Jackie Chiang, CRA
I received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of California, Berkeley (Go Bears!) and a Juris Doctorate degree from Pepperdine University. During law school, I participated in the Special Education Advocacy Clinic and served as the Secretary of Advocates for Public Interest Law. I served as a law clerk at the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles in the Asian Pacific Islander Unit and at Neighborhood Legal Services-Los Angeles in the Housing Unit.
Prior to OCRA, I worked at a private law firm representing students and families. I am excited at the opportunity to serve as the Clients' Rights Advocate for Lanterman Regional Center consumers and help consumers gain access to justice.
Phone: (213) 427-8761
North Bay Regional Center, Napa
Yulahlia Hernandez, CRA
After graduating from San Jose State University with a B.A. in Latin American History, I continued on to Santa Clara University School of Law to earn my J.D. and Public Interest Certificate. While in law school, I worked for Bay Area Legal Aid focusing on SSI appeals and advocacy workshops for Spanish speaking survivors of domestic violence. Also, while in law school, I had the opportunity to intern for the Northern California Innocence Project which gave me the experience to advocate for prisoners with respect to claims of innocence.
I have been working as a CRA since April of 2003. I am grateful for the opportunity to assist consumers, and to be a part of a great advocacy team!
Phone: (707) 224-2798
North Los Angeles Regional Center
Ibrahim (“Bebo”) K. Saab, CRA
As an individual with a developmental disability and a consumer of the Westside Regional Center, I am thrilled to join OCRA as a Clients’ Rights Advocate. It is indeed a privilege to use my professional training not only to address the significant legal issues surrounding developmental disabilities, but also to support a group of individuals with whom I share a deep affinity.
I received my B.A. in English, with high honors, from the University of California, Berkeley in 1999. I remained at Berkeley another three years to earn my Juris Doctorate from Boalt Hall. I served as President of the Boalt Disability Law Society and helped to organize a daylong symposium on cutting edge issues in disability rights law. I also served as a summer law clerk at the Western Law Center for Disability Rights. Since graduation, I have remained on WLCDR’s Young Professionals Board.
Prior to joining OCRA, I was an associate working in the commercial litigation department of a major law firm. I learned a great deal during my tenure at the firm, but I have no doubt that my position at OCRA will prove far more rewarding.
Phone: (818)-756-6290
Regional Center of Orange County, Santa Ana
Jacqueline Miller, CRA
I received my Juris Doctorate degree from Whittier Law School. As a student at Whittier, I participated in the Childrens’ Rights Clinic Programs for Domestic Violence and Special Education. I furthered my desire to advocate for children with developmental disabilities as a Law Clerk for OCRA in Orange County. I was also employed by a solo practitioner Special Education attorney. In 2005, I began working as a CRA in the Orange County office, and have learned so much from working for Disability Rights California. It is with great pleasure that I am able to serve consumers of the Regional Center of Orange County!
Phone: (714) 621-0563
Redwood Coast Regional Center, Eureka
Jim Stoepler, CRA
My first job as an attorney was with a legal aid office in Oxnard. I quickly learned that laws can be used to help or to hurt the most vulnerable people. As a CRA, I have the opportunity to use the law to assist consumers. I consider myself fortunate to work in a small community while having ties to the statewide resources of PAI.
Phone: (707) 445-0893
Redwood Coast Regional Center, Lake County
Doug Harris, CRA
Transplanted to California from northern Wisconsin in my mid 20’s, I found myself embroiled in advocacy in public benefits, not by design, but because of my personal experience with a county welfare department. As I started this work, the more I did and saw the more there was to see and do. My time since has involved over eleven years with legal services serving Mendocino and Lake Counties as a public benefits paralegal, and nearly as long as a paralegal for a private social security/SSI practitioner in Lake County. I subsequently grabbed opportunities to serve as director of the Lake-Mendocino Area Agency on Aging while completing an MSW program through San Francisco State University, work in an intensive out-patient mental health facility, and serve briefly as an administrator for a private foster family agency. Since fall 1998, I have taught Human Services courses part-time for the local community college.
Coming to OCRA in late 1999 has reminded me how firmly my roots are planted in advocacy. Serving as a resource to facilitate people’s quest for their maximum fulfillment, in the face of notable obstacles, has been my most satisfying endeavor. This explains by great appreciation for the opportunity OCRA provides.
Phone: (707) 995 5066
San Andreas Regional Center, San Jose
Rita Difilippis, CRA
I have a particular interest in special education. I graduated with a B.S. in Special Education from Cleveland State University and received my J.D. from Santa Clara University. Before coming to the Office of Clients’ Rights Advocacy, I had a private special education law practice for two years. I also worked for over 4 years as an educational advocate for Friends Outside in San Jose. Friends Outside surrounds families with support services when a family member is incarcerated. In this position, I advocated for the special education rights of children of parents with a history of incarceration. I also served as the educational advocate on the Juvenile Treatment Court team. I enjoy my position as Clients’ Rights Advocate, which I have had since February, 2008, and look forward to serving the needs of San Andreas Regional Center Clients.
Phone: (408) 374-2470
San Diego Regional Center
Wendy Dumlao, CRA
Phone: (619) 239-7787
San Gabriel/Pomona Regional Center
Aimee Delgado, CRA
I obtained my BA in English and Political Science from Mount St. Mary’s College and then received my JD from Whittier Law School. During graduate school, I was fortunate to clerk for the Public Law Center in Orange County, Dependency Court Legal Services, and the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office Consumer Protection Division. I then had the wonderful opportunity to clerk for Protection & Advocacy, Inc. Working for PAI opened the door to an opportunity to become an advocate with the Office of Clients' Rights Advocacy.
I was born and raised in the San Gabriel Valley. Now as a Clients' Rights Advocate for San Gabriel/Pomona Regional Center, I take great pleasure in empowering both consumers and their families to advocate for their rights.
Phone: (909) 595-4755
South Central Regional Center, Los Angeles
Anastasia Bacigalupo, CRA
I graduated from Whittier Law School in 2002. Prior to coming to OCRA, I worked as a legal advocate at the Los Angeles Center for Law Justice where I assisted victims of domestic violence. I have been an activist in the domestic violence movement for over 10 years.
Prior to law school, I served in the Peace Corps in Nicaragua. I worked in a small community assisting the health ministry with vaccine campaigns and maternal and natal health programs and concerns.
I am very honored to serve the diverse community of the South Central Los Angeles Regional Center and to work with such talented individuals at OCRA. Anastasia Bacigalupo
Phone: (323) 292-9907
Tri-Counties Regional Center, Santa Barbara
Katherine Mottarella, CRA
I have been working as a CRA at Tri-Counties since August 1998. For more than 20 years, I have enjoyed working with people of all ages who have developmental disabilities. My work has included many settings-public schools, state hospitals, group homes, family homes, and a residential treatment center.
I decided to become a legal advocate after working with families whose children had developmental disabilities and who needed help advocating for their rights. I graduated from Southern California Institute of Law in 1994 and am licensed to practice law in California.
Phone: 805-884-7218 or 1-800-322-6994, ext. 218.
Valley Mountain RC, Stockton
Leinani Neves, CRA
I have a law degree from the University of Connecticut and a B.A in Philosophy from California State University Long Beach. In law school, I clerked for the Federal Public Defender and worked as a legal intern for the UCONN Disability Law Clinic - both experiences proved to be awe-inspiring. I provided Independent Living Skills training to consumers when in college and recognized then that with high quality support services, consumers can meet any of life's challenges. Prior to working for Protection & Advocacy, Inc., I worked as a VMRC Service Coordinator.
My brother Fred continues to inspire me to do good things for people. Through him, I have learned to appreciate the simple things in life. I hope that my personal and professional experience will help me to provide excellent advocacy services for consumers. Valley Mountain Regional Center
Phone: (209) 955-3329.
Westside Regional Center, Los Angeles
Katie Meyer, CRA
Phone: (310) 258-4205
I moved to Missouri, after graduating from college in California and began my career as a case manager for children in the mental health system. I noticed that people with disabilities tend to have complicated legal issues. Because of this, I began attending law school in the evenings, and graduated from St. Louis University School of Law with a certificate in Health Law. I moved to Los Angeles in 2006 and found this great opportunity to represent consumers of regional center services.
Phone: (310) 258-4205
