About Us

How We Work

See All

Direct Services

Public Counsel provides free direct legal services and support or matches clients with pro bono advocates, ensuring they have a partner standing with them, their families, and our communities as they pursue justice.

Learn More

Policy Advocacy

Public Counsel addresses the root causes of inequities in our society by advocating for inclusive policy solutions in collaboration with grassroots coalitions and the communities most impacted by systemic oppression.

Learn More

Impact Litigation

Public Counsel files strategic impact litigation so entire communities get the justice they deserve. By setting legal precedents and challenging unjust laws, our cases spark large-scale change in our society.

Learn More

Pro Bono Partnerships

Since its inception, Public Counsel has relied upon pro bono attorneys, law students, paralegals, and other legal professionals to partner with us to support clients, take on high-impact cases, and strengthen our advocacy efforts.

Learn More

Social Work Integration

Public Counsel values an interdisciplinary approach to law and social work that strengthens trauma-informed legal advocacy and advances effective outcomes across its work. 

Learn More

Resource Library

Popular Resources

See All

Guide

02/17/26

What is the Meeting of Creditors?

Once you file your bankruptcy, a Bankruptcy Trustee will be assigned to your case and a Meeting of Creditors will be scheduled. This guide will provide general information to help...

Learn More

FAQsGuide

02/10/26

Know Your Rights as a Child Care Business

This Know Your Rights guide explains California child care providers’ legal authority to control access to their facilities, including who may enter, when recording is prohibited, and how to respond...

Learn More

Report

01/28/26

Who Has The Power: Chronicling Los Angeles County’s Systemic Failures to Educate Incarcerated Youth

Los Angeles County officials often dismiss concerns raised by and on behalf of young people, claiming that the education-related issues for detained youth are not systemic. This report seeks to...

Learn More

How We Work

See All

Direct Services

Public Counsel provides free direct legal services and support or matches clients with pro bono advocates, ensuring they have a partner standing with them, their families, and our communities as they pursue justice.

Learn More

Policy Advocacy

Public Counsel addresses the root causes of inequities in our society by advocating for inclusive policy solutions in collaboration with grassroots coalitions and the communities most impacted by systemic oppression.

Learn More

Impact Litigation

Public Counsel files strategic impact litigation so entire communities get the justice they deserve. By setting legal precedents and challenging unjust laws, our cases spark large-scale change in our society.

Learn More

Pro Bono Partnerships

Since its inception, Public Counsel has relied upon pro bono attorneys, law students, paralegals, and other legal professionals to partner with us to support clients, take on high-impact cases, and strengthen our advocacy efforts.

Learn More

Social Work Integration

Public Counsel values an interdisciplinary approach to law and social work that strengthens trauma-informed legal advocacy and advances effective outcomes across its work. 

Learn More

Popular Resources

See All

Guide

02/17/26

What is the Meeting of Creditors?

Once you file your bankruptcy, a Bankruptcy Trustee will be assigned to your case and a Meeting of Creditors will be scheduled. This guide will provide general information to help...

Learn More

FAQsGuide

02/10/26

Know Your Rights as a Child Care Business

This Know Your Rights guide explains California child care providers’ legal authority to control access to their facilities, including who may enter, when recording is prohibited, and how to respond...

Learn More

Report

01/28/26

Who Has The Power: Chronicling Los Angeles County’s Systemic Failures to Educate Incarcerated Youth

Los Angeles County officials often dismiss concerns raised by and on behalf of young people, claiming that the education-related issues for detained youth are not systemic. This report seeks to...

Learn More

Disability Rights

Fighting for Equitable Services for Children with Disabilities

Overview
Explore Sections

Case Overview

Our Client

Filing

In 2021, Padres Buscando el Cambio sued to address systemic failures at Harbor Regional Center, which provides critical services for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including autism and cerebral palsy. The lawsuit highlighted the center’s lack of support, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, for Latinx families, revealing that Harbor Regional Center spends only 37 cents on Latinx individuals for every dollar spent on white individuals. 

The lawsuit also exposed discriminatory practices, including insensitive remarks from service coordinators in response to Latinx parents seeking necessary services for their children. Retaliatory conduct would often follow when parents complained about the lack of services. Padres also sued the California Department of Developmental Services (DDS) for failing to take action after Padres notified the State of the discriminatory practices. 

Settlement

SEPTEMBER 24, 2024 – In a landmark victory for Latinx families, Padres Buscando el Cambio reached a settlement in its lawsuit against Harbor Regional Center and DDS. The agreement represents a crucial step toward securing the care and services these families have long fought for. Under the settlement, Harbor Regional Center staff will receive training in customer service, cultural humility, and antidiscrimination, along with guidance on correcting practices that led to inequitable treatment, improving the handling of service requests, and conducting Individual Program Plan meetings.

Court

Superior Court of the State of California, County of Los Angeles

Status

Settled

Case No.

21STCP03671

Filed

11/08/2021

Public counsel Legal Team

our Co-Counsel

Case Developments

Ruling

05/22/2024

Court Denies Defendants’ Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings

order

Filing

02/07/2024

Plaintiffs File Amended Complaint

Second amended complaint

Ruling

09/12/2022

Court Denies Defendants’ Demurrers

Order

Filing

11/08/2021

Plaintiffs File Complaint

Complaint