Welcome to the newly revised website of the Integrated Community Collaborative (ICC)! We
are thrilled to launch this new space where our families, self-advocates, partners, and allies can
stay connected, informed, and inspired. As we publish our very first blog, we want to share not
only who we are, but why we exist and what drives us forward.
How ICC Was Born
The Integrated Community Collaborative was not founded in a boardroom or a conference hall.
It was born around kitchen tables, in late-night phone calls, in hospital rooms, at regional center
offices, and in countless community meetings where families like ours were asking one simple
question: Why is this system so hard to navigate, and where can I find someone who understands
me?
ICC was co-founded by parents, self-advocates, and community leaders who have lived the very
challenges they now work to address. What started as a small group supporting each other has
grown into a statewide movement grounded in equity, cultural humility, advocacy, and shared
experience.
We formed ICC because the systems of support for individuals with intellectual and
developmental disabilities (IDD) are too often complex, biased, and overwhelming—especially
for families of color, immigrant communities, and individuals navigating services in a language
that is not their own.
The Integradora Model: Rooted in Relationships
At the heart of our work is the Integradora Outreach Model—a peer-to-peer, relationship-
based approach designed by and for our community. Our Integradoras are parents, siblings, and
self-advocates who walk hand-in-hand with individuals and families through every key step of
their journey. We do not “case manage” from a distance. We walk beside our families, shoulder-
to-shoulder, as they navigate systems that are intimidating, complex and compliance centered.
Whether it’s understanding the Regional Center, navigating IEPs, accessing Self-Determination,
or simply having someone who will pick up the phone and listen—our Integradoras
provide culturally responsive, bilingual, and trauma-informed support that meets people
where they are.
Programs That Build Power and Connection
ICC is proud to lead a wide range of community-centered programs designed to elevate voices,
build capacity, and spark action:
∙ICC Community Cafecitos: Our signature weekly space where families gather (virtually
and in-person) to learn, share, and advocate together.
∙Young Advocates for Change (YACs): A self-advocate led group designed to empower
youth and young adults with IDD to be leaders in their own lives and communities.
∙United & Ignited (U&I): A sibling-focused program that creates space for brothers and
sisters of individuals with IDD to heal, lead, and unite.
∙Alianza de Hombres: Our men’s group that invites fathers, uncles, grandfathers, and
male allies into deeper conversations about fatherhood, culture, and advocacy.
∙Embraced Horizons: Focused on individuals with high medical needs, this program
helps families access and advocate for specialized services.
Everything we do is centered on empowering self-advocates, embracing their leadership and
lived experiences, and working toward a future where equity, equality, and access to services
are fair and just for all. We believe in creating spaces where self-advocates are not only heard,
but supported, uplifted, and equipped to lead systemic change.
