Fiesta Educativa
Narrator
Fiesta Educativa was founded in California in 1978 to inform and assist Latino families in obtaining services and in caring for their children with special needs. The program was formed by family members and professionals who recognized the need to provide assistance and advocacy to Spanish speaking families. It is dedicated to empowering families through education, training, referral, and information.
Diocelina Weber: Parent
The purpose of Fiesta Educativa is more to get the families together and give them support and to let them know that they are not alone.
Veronica Villaseñor: UC Davis Mind Institute
It’s important to support Fiesta Educativa because they offer both in English and Spanish to the community and here in California there’s a big population of Latinos so it’s very important come and participate in the Fiesta and they understand more about the neurological problems that are in their child’s development or for early diagnosis.
Narrator
The goals of the program are:
- To assist families to gain knowledge, access key resources and understand their fundamental rights
- To influence the advancement and rehabilitative potential of Latinos with special developmental needs
- To increase the consciousness of professionals about the unique cultural characteristics and needs of Latino children and their families
- To expand and develop culturally sensitive programs and services
Teresa Montes de Oca: Parent
My benefit is to get new information every time I come. Every time I go home, I have new information, something to work with, and something to talk to other parents about.
Narrator
Fiesta Educativa provides parent training, community outreach, educational and training workshops, support groups, and an annual bilingual parent-professional conference
Veronica Villaseñor: UC Davis Mind Institute
The benefits are the information in Spanish and English. It’s a place where you can get information in your own, native language and not have to worry about having someone translate it or making errors in translation.
Narrator
The Sacramento chapter of Fiesta Educativa held their sixth annual conference on September 23, 2006, at California State University, Sacramento. Approximately 160 parents attended. Some came from as far away as Los Angeles. Sessions covered, family support, education, legal assistance, and community resources.
Karen Gaffney: President, Karen Gaffney Foundation
Good morning. Thank you for inviting me back to Sacramento.
Narrator
The keynote speaker was Karen Gaffney. She is the president of the Karen Gaffney Foundation, a non-profit organization, dedicated to championing the journey to full inclusion for people with Down Syndrome and other disabilities. Her message to families came straight from the heart.
Karen Gaffney: President, Karen Gaffney Foundation
You may have children with Down Syndrome or other disabilities and I just want to say that your child is your precious gift in life, do not give up on them. They can do just as much as I can and I’ve done a lot for where I am, here today and I know that their child can do the very same thing.
Narrator
The Sacramento County Office of Education, Infant Development Program working along side numerous community partner, played an integral role in all phases of the 2006 Fiesta Educativa Conference. This interagency team was responsible for ensuring the success of the event from planning and advertising, to set up and staffing the day of the event. Fiesta Educativa is a new approach in providing home-based parent education and training for families of persons with special needs. For more information about the Fiesta Educativa Sacramento Chapter, call the Warmline Family Resource Center at (916) 922-9276 or (800) 660-7995.
