Mission & Vision
Our Mission
Special Kids Connect develops resources, raises awareness, and provides support to individuals with disabilities and their families in Monterey County.
WHAT WE DO
Special Kids Connect's vision is that all individuals and families with special needs are informed and empowered to access and utilize the resources available to them and that they are not only included but are warmly welcomed into their communities. Special Kids Connect does this through three areas of focus:
Community Services Navigation – Special Kids Connect receives funding from the California Department of Developmental Services to provide training, information, and 1:1 support to assist Monterey County families who have members with developmental delays and/or disabilities (ages 0 through end of life) with community service navigation, application assistance, coaching, advocacy training, and peer-to-peer support.
Special Education Support – Special Kids Connect receives funding from the California Department of Education as Monterey County’s Family Empowerment Center, providing training and information to families of children and young adults with disabilities, between the ages of 3 and 22, to assist in their understanding and utilization of educational supports and services.
Community Programs – Special Kids Connect actively pursues and receives funding through community / foundation grants, private donations, and corporate sponsorships to provide a wide range of programs and services to meet the ever changing needs of Monterey County’s special needs community. These include Special Kids Connect’s REACH recreational programs, Neurodiverse Connect social programs, Inclusion Ambassadors Youth Volunteer League, and Outreach Events & Special Projects.
WHAT WE BELIEVE
Every person matters. Everyone is somebody's child. While we are called Special Kids Connect, our commitment does not end when a child becomes a legal adult. We provide support across the lifespan because families continue to need trusted guidance throughout every stage of life.
Every person is special and has value. Every child and adult, regardless of ability, deserves respect, dignity, and opportunities to reach their full potential.
People are more than their diagnosis. A disability is only one aspect of a person's identity. Every individual has unique strengths, interests, relationships, goals, and potential that deserve to be recognized and nurtured.
Families are essential partners. Parents and caregivers know their children best. We honor their expertise and work alongside families to make informed decisions that support each child's growth and well-being.
Planning should be person-centered. As individuals mature, they should increasingly direct the decisions that affect their lives. We promote person-centered planning that empowers teens and adults with disabilities to identify their goals, make informed choices, and build the lives they want.
Equity means removing barriers. We recognize that disability, language, culture, income, and other systemic barriers can make accessing services difficult. We are committed to ensuring every family has equitable access to information, resources, and opportunities.
Inclusion is a right. Every person deserves to feel welcomed, valued, and included. Whether in schools, healthcare settings, workplaces, recreation, or everyday community life, belonging should be the expectation—not the exception.
For a list of the programs we offer, click on the Programs tab, located in the header of this website or click here.