California Family Empowerment Centers
Family Empowerment Centers (FECs) were originally established through Senate Bill 511, then enacted as California Education Code 56400-56414 in 2001. There are currently 14 FECs. The Education Code was amended and additional funding was allocated in 2021 to expand the number of Family Empowerment Centers in California by early 2022. Several centers are a part of other federal, state, or local initiatives and serve families with children from birth to age 3 or specific focused programs. The Family Empowerment and Disability Council is coordinated through the Seeds of Partnership contract, funded by the California Department of Education, Special Education Division.
The FECs provide training and information to families of children and young adults with disabilities, between the ages of 3 and 22. These parent led nonprofit organizations offer specialized training, peer-to-peer support, information and referral services. They aim to assist parents to better understand their child’s educational and developmental needs, effectively communicate with service providers, serve as a resource for the IEP process, participate in school reform and improvement activities, promote alternative dispute resolution, and support positive relationships between parents and professionals. Services available through each FEC vary based on the needs of the community.
FEC Contact Information and Counties Served
Rowell Family Empowerment of Northern California Shasta, Butte, Tehama, Trinity, Siskiyou, Glenn www.rfenc.org 530-226-5129 |
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Plumas Rural Service Lassen, Modoc, Plumas, Sierra www.plumasruralservices.org 530-708-2557 |
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Family SOUP Yuba, Sutter, Colusa www.familysoup.org 530-751-1925 |
Matrix Parent Network and Resource Center Napa, Solano, Sonoma www.matrixparents.org Main: 415-475-2121 Helpline: 800-578-2592 |
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Support for Families of Children with Disabilities San Francisco www.supportforfamilies.org 415-282-7494 |
Parents Helping Parents Santa Clara www.php.com 408-727-5775 x149 |
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Special Parents Information Network San Benito, Santa Cruz www.spinsc.org 831-722-2800 |
Exceptional Parents Unlimited Fresno, Kings epuchildren.org 559-229-2000 |
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H.E.A.R.T.S. Connection Family Resource Center Kern www.heartsfrc.org 661-328-9055 |
Family Focus Resource & Empowerment Center North Los Angeles (San Fernando, Santa Clarita, Antelope Valley) www.csun.edu/family-focus-resource-center 818-677-6854 The Parents’ Place Family Resource Center Los Angeles (San Gabriel Valley, Pomona) www.parentsplacefrc.com 626-919-1091 Westside Family Resource and Empowerment Center West Los Angeles www.wfrec.org 310-258-4063 |
TASK (Team of Advocates for Special Kids) Orange www.taskca.org 714-533-8275 |
Exceptional Family Resource Center San Diego, Imperial www.efrconline.org 619-594-7416 |
Note: As with other counties in the state, not all areas of Los Angeles County are served by an FEC.