FINDING BELONGING IN IMPERIAL VALLEY: How IDD Families Can Thrive with Support in El Centro
If you’re raising a child or caring for a loved one with an intellectual or developmental disability (IDD) in Imperial County, you know the road isn’t easy. Long drives to appointments, waitlists that never seem to end, and a sense that services are spread too thin can leave families feeling isolated.
That’s why we’re proud to share that the El Centro UNIFIED Technology Center is now open—a place designed for Imperial Valley families to find connection, skill-building, and community through inclusive gaming and technology education.
But before we talk about what’s possible, let’s acknowledge the reality that so many families here face.
The Challenges in Imperial Valley
Imperial County has one of the highest poverty rates in California—nearly 1 in 5 residents live below the poverty line, and child poverty is closer to 1 in 4. Families here shoulder heavier financial and logistical burdens than many other parts of the state. When supports are out of reach, those barriers add up quickly.
The county’s own 2024 Community Health Improvement Plan highlights the gap clearly: leaders named “increase the number of mental health providers in Brawley and Calipatria” and “improve access to care in the far north of the county” as urgent priorities. In other words, Imperial Valley families are often being asked to do more with less.
Supports are out there—the Imperial County SELPA (Special Education Local Plan Area) coordinates services across 17 school districts for students birth through age 21, and the San Diego Regional Center’s Imperial Valley office in El Centro helps families navigate eligibility and services under California’s Lanterman Act. But distance, staffing shortages, and wait times mean many families are still left waiting.
What Happens When Support Doesn’t Arrive
National research shows just how costly those gaps can be:
Emergency room visits rise. Adults with IDD are far more likely to rely on the emergency department than the general population. Preventive care and steady support reduce these avoidable visits.
Families carry heavier strain. Studies show that when children with autism or developmental disabilities experience unmet needs, their families see higher financial stress and job disruptions.
Waiting lists drag on. In 2023, people with IDD waited an average of 50 months—over four years—on Medicaid home- and community-based services (HCBS) lists. Nationwide, nearly three-quarters of all people on those waitlists are individuals with IDD.
Trauma makes gaps even harder. Among children with autism, those who experienced more adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) were significantly more likely to face unmet healthcare needs.
Misdiagnoses and delays are common. Clinicians sometimes assume new symptoms are “just part of the disability”—a phenomenon known as diagnostic overshadowing—leading to delayed or missed treatment.
For families in Imperial Valley, these aren’t just numbers. They’re the lived reality of trying to parent, work, and advocate in a system stretched thin.
A NEW Option: The El Centro UNIFIED Technology Center
That’s why we created the UNIFIED Technology Center in El Centro. Our mission is simple: bring accessible, enriching, and fun opportunities closer to home.
Here’s what families can expect:
Inclusive gaming and technology education that builds skills and confidence while giving kids and young adults the joy of play.
Small groups and compassionate coaching to foster friendships and social growth in a safe, supportive environment. Click here to learn more about our 1:3 coach to client ratio!
Family connection and guidance—a place to share stories, learn about resources, and get help navigating school IEPs and Regional Center services.
Local accessibility. No long waits, no out-of-county travel. A hub right here in Imperial Valley where families can find consistency and community.
Why Local Matters
When supports are local, reliable, and designed with families in mind, outcomes improve. Kids and young adults thrive socially and emotionally. Parents and guardians gain a network. And the community becomes a place where inclusion isn’t an afterthought—it’s the norm.
Imperial County leaders already know more providers are needed. By opening this center, we’re stepping into that gap with something real, practical, and life-changing for IDD families right now.
Take the Next Step…
If you’ve been searching for a safe place where your loved one can learn, connect, and belong, we invite you to join us.
✨ The El Centro UNIFIED Technology Center is open now. ✨
