Regional Centers: HRC - ELARC - SCLARC - NLACRC - RCEB - NBRC

Carola is a mother of two amazing boys aged 7 and 14 with Autism who are clients of Regional Center. Her journey in the Self-Determination Program began in 2015 when she became a member of her sons' Regional Center Self-Determination Local Advisory Committee. 

She was born and raised in Bolivia, where she graduated with honors from Chemical Engineering at San Simon University (UMSS). She also worked as a researcher at the UMSS Agrotechnology Center for 4 years, and has a Master of Science in Refining and Natural Gas treatment with her diploma from the IFP French Institute of Petroleum Paris-France.

Carola came to the US in 2007 and 2 years later had her oldest son.  He was diagnosed with Autism at age 2, and 6 years later her youngest son was diagnosed with Autism as well; events that completely changed her life. Since then, she has been dedicated to learning how to navigate the complex disability world.

For more than 10 years she has been through a lot in the world of disabilities. She understands how hard this can be, and how lonely this journey can feel. She had learned to navigate systems like Special Education, Regional Center, In-Home Support Services, and health insurance; each one helping her to become a more effective advocate. Her sons transitioned to Self-Determination in 2021; venturing out this way and finding new ways to shape the lives of individuals with special needs originally seemed daunting, but she has been able to see the benefits of the Self-Determination Program every day in her own sons’ lives.

The Self-Determination Program focuses on strengths, interests, dreams, and passions.