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. Advancing Self-Determination: Tools for Choice and Control One of the most transformative tools available to individuals with IDD and their families is the Self-Determination Program (SDP)—a model that gives people the ability to design and direct their own services. At ICC, we believe that self-determination is not just a policy—it is a right. ICC supports families transitioning into and thriving within SDP through our team of extensively trained Independent Facilitators (IFs) who understand both the system and the community. Coupled with our Integradora model, our approach ensures that each participant is met with the compassion, patience, and cultural competency needed to navigate this new pathway to independence. We walk with participants every step of the way—from exploring the benefits of the program, building Person-Centered Plans, identifying goals and services, to setting up their spending plans and managing their individual budgets. Through this approach, ICC has helped hundreds of families experience the freedom and flexibility that SDP offers. Looking ahead, we are proud to be launching two major initiatives: ∙Project Expressway: A new model that accelerates the pathway into Self-Determination by combining focused coaching, resource alignment, and community education. ∙THE CALIF (California Association of Latino Independent Facilitators): A statewide effort to unite, train, and elevate the next generation of culturally responsive IFs, ensuring that Latino families and others from historically underserved communities are supported by peers who share their language, values, and lived experiences. Together, these efforts will build a stronger foundation for families to lead their lives with autonomy, dignity, and support.  Elevating Community Voice Our ultimate goal is not just to navigate broken systems—it is to change them. ICC actively engages in policy advocacy at the local and state levels to ensure that community voices are at the table and shaping the decisions that affect our lives. We don’t just ask for a seat—we build the table.  We believe that when systems of support truly listen to the communities they are meant to serve, equity and transformation are possible. Through storytelling, data, and collective action, ICC helps systems better understand how to help us by hearing directly from us.  A Movement, Not a Moment This is more than an organization—it’s a movement of love, justice, and resilience. We invite you to explore our new website, sign up for updates, join a Cafecito, or simply reach out and say hello. Because at ICC, we don’t just support families. We are the families. We are a united Community and united we will create a world where our children and families thrive. With gratitude and hope,​Elizabeth & Fernando & The ICC Team