10 Individuals and Organizations Honored for Work on Behalf of People with Developmental Disabilities
SANTA ANA, Calif., April 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Regional Center of Orange County (RCOC) honored 10 individuals and organizations at its 28th annual Spotlight Awards, April 25, 2025 in Garden Grove. Guest-hosted by anchor/reporter Michele Gile of KCAL News and CBS Los Angeles, the event was introduced by RCOC Board Chair Sandy Martin.
RCOC created the Spotlight Awards in 1997 to honor those in Orange County who have advanced the quality of life for people with developmental disabilities. The 2025 Regional Center of Orange County Spotlight Award recipients are:
- Parent/Family Member: John M. Borack, of Fountain Valley; member, City of Fountain Valley’s Advisory Committee for Persons with Disabilities
- RCOC Achievement: Kyle D. Pontius, PhD, of Rancho Santa Margarita; Staff Psychologist, Regional Center of Orange County
- Direct Support Professional: Alex Sanchez, of Tustin; staff, New Horizons program, YMCA of Orange County
- Community Partner: Korean American Special Education Center (KASEC), Anaheim; Rosa Chang, Executive Director
- Healthcare Professional: Dr. Michael Weiss, of Coto de Caza; Vice President of Population Health, CHOC Health Alliance, Children’s Hospital of Orange County
- Employer: Providence St. Joseph’s Hospital, Orange, Environmental Services Department
- Self-Advocate: Fernando Pena, of Costa Mesa
- Lifetime Achievement: Richard L. Rosenberg, PhD, of Whittier; affiliated with Chapman University’s Thompson Policy Institute; U.S. Department of Education-Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services; and, the California Transition Alliance
- Service Provider: Intervention Center for Early Childhood (ICEC), of Irvine; Pam Alexander, Executive Director
- Elected Official: Assemblymember Tri Ta, of Westminster
About Regional Center of Orange County: Regional Center of Orange County is the private, nonprofit organization contracted by the State of California to coordinate lifelong services and supports for more than 27,000 Orange County residents with developmental disabilities and their families. The Regional Center is the first stop for those seeking to obtain local services and supports to help them live safely and with dignity in the community. Developmental disabilities include intellectual disabilities, autism, epilepsy and cerebral palsy. Learn more at www.rcocdd.com.
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SOURCE Regional Center of Orange County
