PARENT SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS
and
ADVOCACY GROUPS
in the South Bay/ Palos Verdes Peninsula

Parents Helping Parents created this handout to assist families who have children with learning differences. Each organization represented below differs with respect to the types of people who attend the meetings as well as the many ways that the organizations provide support and education to their members. Parents Helping Parents does not endorse any particular group. Instead, we encourage you to personally research each organization until you find the one that best meets your needs and interests.

Advocates for Special Kids (A.S.K.)
This is a very active group of parents living in the Manhattan Beach area who have children in Special Education—many of whom attend local public schools. A large number of the involved families have autistic children. The organization provides e-mail correspondence for their members and holds monthly meetings to support and educate parents. These usually occur on the last Monday evening of the month at the Pacific Christian Center (1403 Pacific Avenue, Manhattan Beach). They are very savvy with regard to the legal rights of the disabled and, as their name implies, are advocates in championing these rights. There is a wealth of information on their website: www.advocatesforspecialkids.org.
Their phone number is 310-480-9310.

Bureau of Jewish Education of Greater LA
This organization sponsors a series of seminars on special education each year at the Stephen S. Wise Temple in Hershenson Hall (15500 Stephen S. Wise Drive, Los Angeles). Each seminar is $12.00, payable in advance or at the door if space permits. The program calendar and information about their guest speakers can be obtained from their website at www.bjela.org.

Children & Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder (C.H.A.D.D.)
This organization is for South Bay families who are dealing with ADD/ADHD. They have support groups for ADHD adults that meet monthly in Torrance—usually on the first Thursday evening of each month at the Riviera United Methodist Church in the Ocean View Room (375 Palos Verdes Blvd, Torrance). They also provide a monthly meeting for parents who have children with ADHD. It usually meets on the first Monday evening of each month and features a guest speaker who often is a professional in the field. They meet at Little Company of Mary Hospital in the Center for Health Education Bldg (4101 Torrance Blvd, Torrance). You can also request to be on their mailing list to receive a quarterly newsletter. Their phone number is 310-326-2322.

Harbor Regional Center
This agency offers a variety of classes, therapy, activities, and events for people with many types of disabilities as well as support for their families. They also help with professional referrals. Their offices are located at 21231 Hawthorne Blvd in Torrance. Their phone number is 310-540-1711.

L.A. FEAT: Families for Education and Treatment of Autism
This nonprofit organization provides support and education to parents who have children with autism and are doing ABA (applied behavioral analysis). It has joined together with the greater LA chapter of the Autism Society of America to provide meetings on the third Wednesday evening each month at St. James Church (124 N. Pacific Coast Hwy, Redondo Beach). The meeting occurs in the Religious Education Building that is located across the street from the church in room 5. Contact them if you wish to be on their e-mail correspondence list. They have a website at www.lafeat.org. Their phone number is 310-796-2252.

Learning Disabilities Association of America – Los Angeles Chapter

Palos Verdes Parents Coalition (PVPC)
This grassroots organization is for parents who have children in special education classes within the Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District. They provide support and information regarding IEP’s (Individual Education Plans) and are very savvy regarding the legal rights of special education students. They hold parent education meetings on the last Tuesday evening of the month at the Palos Verdes Main Library in the Community Room (701 Silver Spur Road, Rolling Hills Estates). Their website is www.pvparents.com and their phone number is 310-541-9294.

Parents Helping Parents- South Bay District
This nonprofit organization provides support, education and networking to parents who have children with learning disabilities and ADHD- including those who are gifted with learning differences. Many of the parents have children in private schools as well as public schools throughout the Palos Verdes Peninsula, Torrance, and surrounding communities. Parent education meetings are usually held on the third Monday evening of the month at the PVPUSD Administrative Building’s Board Meeting Room (3801 Via la Selva in Palos Verdes Estates). Their informative website is www.php4ldkids.org. Their telephone number is 310-265-4578. Contact them at php4pv@aol.com if you wish to receive their e-mail correspondence.

South Bay Youth Project: Redondo Beach Recreation & Community Services
This outreach community-based program offers a variety of parent education classes and counseling to South Bay families at affordable prices. For a calendar of events and more information, refer to their website at www.redondo.org/sbyp or telephone them at 310-372-7724.

Southwest S.E.L.P.A. (Special Education Local Plan Area)
Their family resource center provides a multitude of community services for families of special education students including parent support groups, information about IEP’s, and professional referrals. They also loan educational resources such as books or videos and have numerous handouts about special education as well as information on all types of disabilities. Their offices are located at 15901 Hawthorne Blvd, Suite 400, in Lawndale. Their phone number is 310-921-2901 or 921-2252.

Team of Advocates for Special Kids (TASK)
This resource center offers educational workshops and support to parents with children in special education. Their emphasis is on advocacy, and they can provide referrals of advocates who can attend IEP meetings and assist parents in better understanding and planning for their child’s special education needs. Their offices are located at 100 W. Cerritos Ave., in Anaheim. Their phone number is 714-533-8275.