Kim Jo Diaz
Community Resource Coordinator
Since 2020, Kimberly has had the privilege of working alongside A Bright Future. In early 2023, she transitioned to Los Angeles, assisting the organization's growth in the Los Angeles Region.
She is a graduate of Cal State Fullerton in Southern California and majored in animation and writing within the arts during her college years. These skills have seamlessly transitioned into her current role where she creates reports for participants and narrates their goals towards independence. Her commitment extends beyond paperwork; she personally meets with each new participant, forging instant connections as she delves into their life stories.
Kimberly is not one to settle into routine; she values variety and seeks to expand her horizons. Her primary aim is personal development through daily learning, ensuring she never becomes stagnant or complacent.
Outside of her professional pursuits, Kimberly finds solace in the company of her family, which includes her beloved pets. Her passion for art transcends the confines of work, as she dedicates her free time to drawing, doing yoga, roller-skating, and taking on art commissions from the comfort of her home.
A goal for Kimberly is to pursue psychology in Los Angeles, with aspirations of becoming a licensed therapist.
Who We Serve?
At A Bright Future, Inc., we assist people with developmental disabilities and their families. We help the team of supporting physicians, therapists, and other professionals for each of our clients who work together with one single goal: helping each individual live a healthy and productive life in their own community.
A developmental disability is defined in California law as intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and autism. Other substantially disabling conditions closely related to intellectual disability or which require treatment like the treatment required by persons with intellectual disability may be eligible for services. The onset of these conditions had to have been prior to age 18; continues or can be expected to continue indefinitely and constitutes a substantial handicap for the individual.
Intellectual Disability (previously Mental Retardation) – A neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by deficits in intellectual functioning confirmed by clinical assessment and intellectual testing (an IQ score of approximately 70 or below on an individually administered intelligence test); and deficits in adaptive functioning across multiple environments.
Cerebral Palsy – is a disorder that affects body movement and muscle coordination. It can be caused either when the brain does not develop properly during pregnancy or if there is damage to the brain before, during, or after birth.
Epilepsy – A disorder in which the major symptoms are seizures caused by abnormal electrical activity of the brain. Eligibility is based on a seizure disorder that is uncontrolled or poorly controlled despite medical intervention and adherence to medical treatment.
Autism – A neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent impairment in reciprocal social communication and social interaction as well as restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior, interests or activities. Symptoms are present from early childhood. Other disabling conditions -that are closely related to intellectual disability or require similar treatment to that required by persons with an intellectual disability.
A substantial disability is a condition which results in major impairment of cognitive and/or social functioning, representing sufficient impairment to require interdisciplinary planning and coordination of special or generic services to assist the individual in achieving maximum potential; and must cause significant functional limitations, as determined by the regional center, in three or more of the following areas of major life activity, as appropriate to the person’s age. Since an individual’s cognitive and/or social functioning are many-faceted, the existence of a major impairment shall be determined through assessment(s) in their receptive and expressive language, learning, self-care, mobility, self-direction, capacity for independent living, and economic self-sufficiency.
Individuals must be diagnosed with a developmental disability that begins before a person’s 18th birthday, is expected to continue indefinitely, and which presents a substantial (Sec 4512 W & I Code) disability:
Other conditions may be considered if the individual would require services like that which would be needed for an individual diagnosed with an intellectual disability.
Welcome to A Bright Future, Inc.! We are here to help you.