How can People with Disabilities use Person-Centered Planning?
October 12, 2022
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A core mission of Exceptional Connections is to improve the quality of life for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Our founder, Carla Lehmann, and her associates helped transition hundreds of clients successfully into Self Determination. We teamup and collaborate with our clients to create individualized person-centered plans, helping them get closer to making their life dreams a reality.
Exceptional Connection is a collaborative group of experienced professionals specializing in Independent Facilitation services for the Self Determination program in California. We help people transition to the Self-Determination Program from the beginning until the participant is in the program. We can also continue assisting the participants and their loved ones after they transition into the program.
Our services include person-Centered planning, advocacy, life coaching for parents and caregivers of children with disabilities, training, and parent support groups. We provide services via Zoom and, in some cases, in person to all areas of California in English and Spanish.
We make sure to provide you with exceptional stress-free services. Because of this, we combine person-centered thinking with personalized intelligence along with independent facilitation so that you can make the best decision. Our goal is to help you lead the life you desire.
Exceptional Connections Independent Facilitators are certified in Person-Centered Thinking and have completed all relevant training for Independent Facilitation in California.
Throughout California, our Independent Facilitation and Advocacy Services are leading the way in Self Determination.
carla@exceptionalconnections.co
Carla Lehmann brings a distinctive experience and expertise to her role as an Independent Facilitator. She is a parent advocate and a proud mom of an amazing ten-year-old boy that is a client of the Regional Center.
Before she began working as an Independent Facilitator, Carla studied at UCLA in the New Digital Media Program, where she learned about the Internet and digital industries. After graduating, Carla managed accounts and projects within the online marketing and advertising corporate world for over ten years. Her project and account management experience and education help Carla be successful in her Independent Facilitator role today.
Now, Carla is heavily involved in the disability community—participating in various community training and parent support groups. She has created and administrates three different social media support groups, in both English and Spanish, to help educate, inform, and provide outreach services to parents of children with disabilities in California.
Carla received a Paralegal degree with honors at LATTC. She completed Special Education Advocate Trainings, SEAT 1, 2, and 3, at the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA) and completed her practicum with David German from Vanaman & German LLP. Carla completed four years of the Learning Right’s TIGER program and received an advanced advocacy certificate with them. Carla is a fellow at the Coelho Center for Disability Law, Policy, and Innovation at Loyola Law School, where she gained additional skills, built connections and learned more about disability law. Additionally, Carla is the Chair for the Westside Regional Center Self Determination Advisory Committee.
Carla helped transition many clients successfully into Self Determination. She teams up and collaborates with her clients to create individualized person-centered plans helping her clients get closer to making their life dreams a reality. She is certified in Person-Centered Thinking and has completed all relevant training for Independent Facilitation in California. Carla holds Independent Facilitator certifications from the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, Autism Society of Los Angeles, WRC Self Determination Advisory Committee, Disability Voices United, and completed an advanced 8-week Independent Facilitator training with Guidelight Group. Exceptional Connections Independent Facilitators also has the experience and helped clients access and navigate different systems like IHSS, Medi-Cal, private insurance, DOR, and the school district. Carla assists her clients to access resources, activities in the community and coordinates the supports the clients select to bring their plans into reality.
Evelyn Rodriguez is a parent advocate and proud mother of a son who is a client of the Regional Center. Evelyn was born and raised in Lima, Peru where she graduated in Electronic Engineer from the National Engineering University. In addition, Evelyn worked in Peru as a Project Manager in the Information Technology area and she also has a diploma in Project Management.
In 2011, Evelyn arrived in the US, and two years after her arrival, her youngest son was diagnosed with autism which changed her life completely and since then she has dedicated her time to learning how to navigate through the systems to successfully advocate for her son’s rights and that is how she began her mission to support other families in the IDD community.
For more than seven years, Evelyn has been dedicated to supporting families with children with developmental and learning disabilities, as well as assisting families with advice on navigating systems such as: Special Education, Regional Center, In-Home Support Service, and Therapies with Medical insurance to help their children.
In 2018, Evelyn founded Parents Mentors, a support and psychoeducational group, in the city of Buena Park, Orange County where she manages the group, teaches classes and is in charge of inviting organizations and specialists to give classes, workshops, and conferences to the community for free.
Evelyn completed four years of the Learning Rights Law Center’s TIGER program where she gained special education advocacy skills.
Evelyn is a graduate of the Family Voices of California Project Leadership Program. Evelyn is a graduate of the Latino Leadership Program Class 2020 of the organization Latinos in Action California. Evelyn completed the Family Mentor / Promoter Training Program at the Center for Autism & Neurodevelopmental Disorders. Evelyn is a member of the Council of Parents, Attorneys, and Advocates (COPAA). Evelyn was a member of the District Learner English Advisory Committee (ELAC) and the Community Advisory Committee (CAC), of the ABC Unified School District. Evelyn was a member of the Whitney High School Latino Parents Association (HS ranked second in the state of California). Evelyn completed three months of study and has the certificate “Introduction to Family Engagement in Education”, a course of study offered by HarvardX; an online learning initiative of Harvard University.
In addition, Evelyn holds Independent Facilitator certifications from the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, Autism Society of Los Angeles, and Disability Voices United. Currently, Evelyn is an Independent Facilitator for Regional Centers in California. Evelyn is very involved in the IDD community, where she teaches classes and workshops in community parent training and support groups. Lastly, Evelyn was invited as a panelist and speaker by organizations in California and Maryland.
Carla Ghiotti was born in in Los Angeles, California. Raised in Argentina as of age 6, she came back to LA in 2022 with her husband to start their lives together in sunny California.
Carla went to college in Argentina, where she studied Business Administration. She graduated with honors in 2016.
Carla loves kids, and specifically helping people with different needs; that’s why she enjoys so much being part of Exceptional Connections
A core mission of Exceptional Connections is to improve the quality of life for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Exceptional Connections
carla@exceptionalconnections.co
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