Under Construction - On Break til February 2026 - Families Contact Parent Ambassador
Access Nonprofit Center
History of the organization
Ardena, founder of Access Nonprofit Center is a parent/caregiver of a child with Autism served by Regional Center and is well-aware of the challenges of raising a child with developmental, social-emotional and behavioral challenges. In that same passion of those mighty mothers who were instrumental in the establishment of the Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Services Act in 1969, so is Ardena who built the mission of ACCESS Nonprofit Center around her personal struggle to obtain access to relevant information and resources to help her son.
Access Nonprofit Center is a TEAM of passionate professionals who are parents, disability advocates, teachers, church ministers, culture experts, college students, early education professionals - who are all ready to expand their passion to serve the community.
Ardena believes it is essential to the well-being of the community to create community-based support groups for parents/caregivers experiencing developmental disabilities.
Ardena and other Parent Ambassadors will continue to share information to assist families in gaining access to resources so that families my thrive in Home, Community and in School.
Program Staff & Consultants
Ardena MPA, Parent, Founder & Executive Director
email: welcome@accessnonprofit.org or contact a parent ambassador
Ardena, MPA Parent Advocate, Founder, Executive Director Access Nonprofit Center. She is the founder and director of her initiative Parenting Black Children the mission is to decrease disparities and increase access for parents/caregivers of children with Autism and Developmental Disabilities. She is a proud parent of a Beautiful Black Boy on the Autism Spectrum served by the Regional Center and is well aware of the needs of raising a child with Autism and developmental differences.
She soon realized, that other Black parents experience the struggle of gaining equitable access for their children to receive services from community and public education. She began attending Special Education, Autism, and Developmental Disability trainings so that she would be equipped to empower her community of parents to gain access to this hidden information. As a result the PBC initiative was awarded the State of California DDS Service Access and Equity grant to focus on decreasing the disparity of Black/African American families gaining access to services.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Sciences from University of California at Irvine(UCI), and a Master’s of Public Administration from University of Southern California (USC). Additionally, she has served the local school district’s special education department, volunteers at church, sits on a board Committee of the San Gabriel/Pomona Regional Center, participates in California Department of Developmental Services workgroups, and is a member of the Pomona Valley NAACP. She resides in the San Gabriel Valley with her family and enjoys discovering new opportunities for her son to help him and other children Live & Thrive in Home Community & School.
parent ambassadors
NAISHA
Parent Ambassador, Inland Regional Center area
Contact:
email: naisha@accessnonprofit.org
Phone: 909-545-5506
(Parent Ambassadors make their own hours, please allow for response time)
Naisha, Parent of three, Civil Rights Consultant Specialist, Advocate, and Parent Ambassador
Naisha is working for the State of California in the Civil Rights department, Legal division, as a Consultant III, Specialist, advocating for Californians who have been discriminated against, harassed, or retaliated against in employment or housing issues. Before that, she worked for the Department of Social Services as a Licensing Program Analyst, overseeing the care and compliance of the Adult and Senior Care Facilities in the San Bernardino Area. Naisha has worked with or for several agencies that care for or provide services to children with Autism and Developmental Disabilities. Naisha holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Cal Poly Pomona.
She is a proud mother of three, a 17-year-old beautiful black Princess who is diagnosed with mild to moderate Autism and is with the Inland Regional Center, a 13-year-old son, equally handsome and blessed, and a gorgeous, intelligent, 12-year-old daughter. The younger two are both neurotypical children.
Naisha is excited to be a Parent Ambassador to increase access and awareness for parents/caregivers of children with Autism and Developmental Disabilities. She feels that, through her experiences, she is all too familiar with the lack of resources or access to necessary resources. She made a decision to learn as much as possible about the facilities, establishments, and resources that affect people with disabilities and to share the information with anyone who wants to listen and learn, especially the parents from the black/African American Community.
LaTasha
Parent Ambassador, San Gabriel Pomona Regional Center (SGPRC) area
email: latasha@accessnonprofit.org
phone: 626-723-9525
(Parent Ambassadors make their own hours, please allow for response time)
LaTasha is a proud parent of 8 children, of which four beautiful black daughters were adopted in 2025 and all four are serviced by SGPRC. She is a passionate advocate for families navigating developmental disabilities. As a Parent Ambassador with Access Nonprofit Center, she serves as a bridge between families and the resources they need to thrive.
She brings firsthand experience and a deep understanding of the challenges Black families face when trying to access equitable services and supports. With a strong commitment to culturally responsive advocacy, LaTasha supports other parents and caregivers by sharing information, building trust, and empowering them to lead.
LaTasha is especially passionate about early intervention and autism support. She believes that when families are informed, connected, and supported, they become powerful agents of change in their communities.
In addition to her role with Access Nonprofit Center, LaTasha enjoys spending time with family, cooking, and volunteering.
IVANA, Communication & Marketing Consultant & Past Intern
USC Keck School of Medicine, MPH
Career Aspiration: Project Management in Public Health
Ivana Tan is a lifelong Southern California resident dedicated to promoting health, happiness, and cultural understanding. She has always been passionately committed to public health and recognizes its pivotal role in creating healthier and thriving communities. Ivana holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Human Biology and a minor in Public Health from the University of California, Irvine (UCI). Currently, she is pursuing a Master of Public Health at the University of Southern California (USC), specializing in Community Health Promotion.
During her undergraduate years, Ivana co-founded the UCI Human Biology Outreach Program, addressing health issues and promoting positive change in underprivileged schools in Orange County. Additionally, her love of traveling to nearly 40 countries inspires her advocacy for improved cultural competency in the health field, seeking equitable health for all. These experiences emphasize the need to tailor interventions to diverse contexts, reinforcing her commitment to a more inclusive approach to health promotion.
Upon completing her studies, Ivana is eager to leverage her skills in leadership and project management to develop interventions that positively impact community health. Excited to be a part of Access Nonprofit Center, she brings a wealth of passion and dedication to support its initiatives, and contribute to a healthier and more fulfilling future for all families.
Joan, RDH, Public Health (past) Intern
USC Keck School of Medicine, MPH
Career Aspiration: Clinical Professor & Nonprofit Founder in Oral Health
Joan is a Southern California-based healthcare professional passionate about advancing community wellness through integrative, preventive care. She is a practicing Registered Dental Hygienist and a second-year Master of Public Health student at the University of Southern California (USC), specializing in Community Health Promotion.
With a strong foundation in clinical practice and growing expertise in public health, Joan is deeply committed to advancing oral health equity and improving access for underserved populations—particularly first-generation Vietnamese immigrants and refugee communities. Her focus on the oral-systemic connection allows her to take a holistic approach to health promotion and education.
As a Public Health Intern at Access Nonprofit Center, Joan contributes to the development and implementation of the Parent Leadership and Advocacy Training program. Her work includes conducting research, identifying relevant community resources, and supporting foundational efforts to enhance the organization’s outreach and impact. Her role reflects a dedication to empowering families and promoting health equity at the community level.
Joan’s long-term goals include continuing her work as a compassionate healthcare provider, becoming a clinical professor, and founding a nonprofit organization dedicated to oral health education and advocacy. Outside of her professional endeavors, she enjoys indoor cycling, caring for her newly adopted rescue kitten, and discovering new culinary experiences across Southern California.
Past interns
Faith, Data & Grant (Past )Intern
USC Keck School of Medicine, MPH
Career Aspiration: Health Equity Advocate/Specialist
Faith is a second-year MPH student at the University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine where she focuses on health services and policy. Faith was born and raised in Lagos Nigeria, and migrated to the U.S. during her early teenage years. Her experience as a black immigrant has given Faith a worldwide view of the importance of health care and accessibility. Faith graduated from the University of California, Davis with her B.S. in Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior with a minor in Public Health Sciences.
Her passion for health equity and mitigating the effects of health disparities led her to her MPH program at USC as well as to her current roles as an HIV Testing Program Manager and Access Nonprofit Intern. Faith is passionate about bridging the gap in healthcare and increasing healthcare access to many underserved populations. When not studying or working, Faith loves to travel and indulge in soft/calming activities. After receiving her MPH degree, Faith plans to work in the public health sector advocating for important health policy changes as well as being the voice for the voiceless and eventually contributing to a more equitable society.
Kwanzaa Principle
"To always do as much as we can, in the way we can,
in order to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it."
Site Under Re-Construction! On break until February 2026.
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