COMMUNITY EDUCATOR

The Community Education Program seeks to bridge the gap between the disabilities community and elected officials by educating both about issues of importance and how the disabilities community could be impacted. Organizing, advocating, and educating are major components of the Program, and each takes a steps towards teaching self-advocacy and empowerment skills, as well as giving elected officials opportunities to make informed decisions. To these ends, the Program works on issues at the Local, State, and Federal levels of government.

To get involved in any of these issues, please contact Community Educator:
Richard Hernadez (rhernandez@drcinc.org) or 562-427-1000 x.16.

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Key Benefits

Local Level

Currently, at the local level, DRC is attempting to address the affordable housing crisis that Long Beach is currently faced with. DRC is spearheading an effort to establish a Housing Trust Fund in the City of Long Beach. Here is additional information about the Long Beach Housing Trust Fund Coalition. (1) Statement of Principles (2) Endorsement List (3) Definitions and Explanations: Commercial Linkage, Inclusionary Zoning and Housing Trust Funds.

State Level

As a member of the California Foundation for Independent Living Centers (CFILC), DRC works with the CFILC Systems Change Network to advocate on statewide issues. Last fiscal year, DRC was heavily involved with staving off cuts to In Home Supportive Services. Currently, DRC is monitoring the progress of two Governor Schwarzenegger proposals: The California Performance Review and the Medi-Cal Redesign.

Federal Level

At the Federal level of government DRC is most active in educating people about National Housing Trust Fund Legislation as well as the Section 8 Voucher Housing Choice Program.