The grantee spotlight corner shines a light on the amazing work our community partners are doing through the Service Access and Equity Grant Program.
Being Built Together
Meet the CBO
Being Built Together (BBT) traces its roots to 2003, when six Korean American families connected through a special education classroom in Orange County and formed a parent support group. BBT was formally established as a nonprofit organization in 2020.
Project Spotlight: Expanding Access and Equity for Korean-Speaking Families through Community Connector Services
Beginning in 2021, funding from the DDS Service Access & Equity Grant Program helped BBT to expand its Community Connector Services. Today, BBT connects more than 600 families to services across Southern California.
One example is a young adult who uses limited spoken language and wanted to become more independent through work. Traditional interviews and customer-facing jobs were not a good fit, and previous work opportunities were limited to seasonal jobs. The young adult’s parents also faced language barriers and did not know how to find a more long-term employment opportunity.
Through BBT’s one-on-one navigation services, a navigator worked with the family to understand the young adult’s strengths and needs, helping them get a job with a local business that was the right fit. The navigator then guided the family step-by-step to access their Regional Center’s Paid Internship Program and other supports, including job coaching, transportation, and the Self-Determination Program.
With these supports in place, the young adult gained work experience and transitioned into ongoing employment, taking an important step towards Competitive Integrated Employment. This story shows how BBT helps families navigate systems, connect to services and supports, and find opportunities that promote independence, inclusion, and more hopeful futures.
Last modified: September 30, 2026