Office of the Ombudsperson

This Office can:

1. Provides information to regional center clients and their families,
2. Facilitates resolution to disagreements and complaints,
3. Makes recommendations, and
4. Compiles and reports data.

The Office of the Ombudsperson cannot:

1. Decide disputes in favor of one party or another,
2. Represent someone in the appeal process,
3. Make a recommendation to a court or hearing officer, or
4. Overturn a final hearing decision

Ombudsperson Staff

Eden Rosales, Ombudsperson

As the Ombudsperson in the Office of the Developmental Services Ombudsperson, in the Community Assistance and Resolutions Division, Eden brings extensive experience in long-term care advocacy, data-informed program oversight, and person-centered service delivery for older adults and people with disabilities. She has held key leadership roles for many years with the California Department of Aging’s Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman, including as the acting State Long-Term Care Ombudsman and a Staff Services Manager II/Deputy State Long-Term Care Ombudsman. In these roles, she directed the state office and local Ombudsman programs, oversaw data collection and analysis related to complaints and conditions in long-term care facilities, and managed significant program funding. Eden holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Gerontology from California State University, Sacramento. Eden will lead the Ombudsperson Office as it continues to serve as an autonomous and independent single point of contact for individuals receiving regional center services and support, their families, and other members of the community. [On an explanatory note, the Office of the Ombudsperson and the Office of the Self-Determination Program Ombudsperson were combined legally when SB 471 was signed earlier this fall.] Under Eden’s leadership, the Office will continue to facilitate the resolution of concerns in the developmental disabilities services system, and improve department and regional center programs and services.

Shanna Holzer, Staff Services Manager II

Shanna brings a wealth of knowledge to her role. She has a degree in Psychology and a Master’s in Public Policy and Administration. Her experience running a Sexual Assault Crisis Agency enables her to delicately handle stressful situations where people need assistance and support quickly. She also worked with a large vendor as the Program Director for the Family Home Agency division. Ms. Holzer has been working at DDS in the FHA Monitoring division for the past 3 years. She is excited to help ensure people with disabilities have access to services and supports they need in the least restrictive environment.

Mari Gurule, Bilingual Community Program Specialist II

Mari is our bilingual staff. She is fluent in Spanish and has many years of experience working with the Spanish monolingual community. Mari has a degree in Latin American Studies and a Master’s in Counseling with a specialty in Rehabilitation. She comes from the Department of Rehabilitation where she was a Counselor working with individuals with disabilities. She is happy to continue her commitment to assisting clients and their families.

December Robinson, Associate Governmental Program Analyst

December has extensive history working with regional center clients and their families.  She worked at both Lanterman and Fairview Developmental Centers while they were closing and moving residents to the community.   Most recently Ms. Robinson has been working at California Correction Health Care Services in the Nursing Service Section.  She is excited to get back to working with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and help them resolve problems.

Sangita Prasad-Araya, Associate Government Policy Analyst

Sangita has spent her whole career working with Individuals with disabilities. Sangita has a degree in Management and started as an Early Intervention Teacher. She then began working at South Central Los Angeles Regional Center as a Navigator and then was promoted to Navigator-Specialist.  Sangita is bilingual and can assist individuals who speak Hindi. She is happy to be able to inform and assist clients and families.

Connie Parra, Executive Assistant

Connie’s passion for public service began as a young adult when she attended and was involved in local events in her hometown. This sparked curiosity and motivated her to give back to the community in any way possible. Connie’s public sector experience started at the City of Cerritos and continued at the County of Orange. She is always willing to learn about her role and is excited to be part of the DDS family, serving the community. Connie is bilingual Spanish staff and will be supporting the Offices of the Ombudsperson and Office of the Self-Determination Program Ombudsperson.

English  | Spanish  | Chinese  | Vietnamese  | Tagalog | Arabic | Armenian (Eastern) | Farsi | Hindi | Hmong | Japanese | Khmer | Korean | Laotian | Mien | Punjabi | Russian | Thai | Ukrainian

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