About VPDCA

History:
Vietnamese Parents With Disabled Children Association, Inc.(VPDCA) was established in 1986, and incorporated as a non-profit organization in 1988. The Association founding members included parents who participated in, and assumed leadership roles as part of the nationally regconized Multicultural Training-of-Trainers (MTOT). They are committed to developing a volunteer organization that can continue providing assistance to Vietnamese parents of children with disabilities.
Objectives:
The principal objectives of the VPDCA are:
To advocate for the right of Vietnamese children with disabilities and of their families.
To assist parents, free of charge, in obtaining necessary benefits and services for their children with special needs (SSI, Medi-Cal, CCS, IHSS,…)
To promote linguistically and culturally appropriate education/training opportunities.
To promote mutual support and assistance.
Areas of Services:
Presently our activities are limited to Los Angeles and Orange countities. In the future, depending on available staff and resources, our activities may extend to state and federal levels.
Memberships:
VPDCA’s official members are Vietnamese parents of children with disabilities who have applied for membership, and whose applications are approved by the Board of Directors. Parents who wish to join our Association have to file an application form, available upon request. Currently, neither membership, nor annual fees are required.
Vietnamese parents without children with disabilites, and parents of other nationalities who are interested in our objectives, and who are willing to contribute in supporting this charitable program, are welcome as Benefactor or Honorary Members.
Members’ Rights:
VPDCA’s members have the rights to receive, free of charge, among others, the following:
Advocacy/Training
Assistance in obtaning neede services.
Interpreter services in dealing with schools, social agencies, physicians, hospitals, therapists.
Quarterly Newsletters and bi-lingual manuals on services, benefits available to children with disabilities and their families, and on most common developmental disabities.
Activities:
Following are some activities of the VPDCA since its inception in 1986:
Quarterly workshops
Publication of quaterly Newsletters
Publication of over 20 bi-lingual guide books on services, benefits available to children with disabilities, and on most common developmental disabilities.
Assist many parents obtaining needed services for their children with special needs.
Participated/presented in conferences at local, state and national levels.
Network with other social organizaition, agencies.