Leadership

Our Story

Families United For Equity (FUFE) is a 501(c)(3) community-based organization, established by a coalition of vendors and families deeply rooted in the San Francisco Bay Area’s Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) community. FUFE’s governance is steered by a board of directors and key principals, with over 150 years of combined service in championing the rights for I/DD individuals pursuant to the Lanterman Act. The Lanterman Act was enacted in California, to ensure the rights of individuals with developmental disabilities to services and supports that enable them to lead more independent, productive, and integrated lives. FUFE was honored to receive the 2023 Alameda County DD Council Bette Hamilton Advocacy Award, which recognizes our commitment to advocating for the rights and well-being of individuals with I/DD and their families, pursuant to the Lanterman Act

Building on this recognition FUFE embarked on an Outreach Initiative, supported by a $100,000 grant from the Regional Center of the East Bay (RCEB), to inform and educate underserved I/DD communities about I/DD support services in the San Francisco Bay Area. Considering the remarkable achievements of FUFE’s Outreach initiative, the California Department of Developmental Services (DDS) and the RCEB extended requests for FUFE to broaden their scope of services to navigation. This expansion is aimed at going beyond outreach efforts to facilitate the navigation of the Regional Center System for individuals who find themselves in
need of services, thereby ensuring timely and efficient access to essential support.