ABOUT DIGNIFIED
Dignified Independent Facilitators specialize in collaborating with you, your circle of support, and the Regional Center
We will help you create a Person-Centered Plan, Spending Plan, continued Facilitator services, and advocacy, through paralleled case management. This includes identifying and coordinating services and supports necessary to achieve your goals that are meaningful and encourage independence, establishing relationships in the community, integrated participation, employment and career pursuits. We have provided these services since 2009 in California through the Regional Center’s SDP pilot project. Services are paid by the Regional Center. Consultation is always free!
meet our team
Christina Rockwell, MS
INDEPENDENT FACILITATOR/CEO
I have been serving as an Independent Facilitator for the Self Determination Pilot Project and the current program for over 13 years and successfully transitioned the first client in California to the new Self Determination Program in September 2019. Since then, I have transitioned several clients, continued as their facilitator, and assisted many others as they navigate the process. I have participated in planning and transition meetings for Kern Regional Center Facilitators, Service Coordinators, and Program Managers, and consulted with several other Regional Center workers as we expand this opportunity to many more Regional Center clients.
I can provide Transition Planning and Facilitation, Independent Facilitator Services, Individual Education Plan (IEP) Advocacy, Coordinate Caregiver and Household Assistance for the Disabled and Elderly, Advocate and Assist with Social Security, MediCal, and Medicare Benefits, and Assist with the coordination of In-Home-Supportive-Services (IHSS). Currently, I sit as Chair.
HILARY Johnson, MA
Independent Facilitator
I became a Person-Centered Planner and Independent Facilitator in 2025, having served individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities and their families since 2012. This work is very near and dear to my heart, and my personal philosophy is that all individuals deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.
My professional background includes having been a Special Education, English, and ESL teacher in the California public school system, an Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) supervising clinical therapist, an Adaptive Skills supervising clinician, and a Service Coordinator for both traditional and Early Start programming at Kern Regional Center. I have worked with individuals of all ages and stages, from newborns to senior citizens, and have a strong command of individual and family needs throughout the lifespan. My specialty is helping individuals and families navigate systems (Regional Centers, Special Education, Social Security, MediCal/IHSS, and more) that often feel overwhelming and complicated with agility and confidence.
Services I can provide include Person-Centered Planning, Transition Planning and Facilitation, Independent Facilitator Services, Accessing Generic Resources, Special Education/IEP, Social Security, MediCal, Medicare, and IHSS Advocacy.
mission statement
While caring for my own loved ones, it was clear there was no single place that could offer our family comprehensive solutions or complete assistance. Many available services were still inadequate for our needs and I vowed to make a difference in our community. Our promise is to identify all resources in the area and help clients and their families focus on what’s important: establishing and maintaining independence and creating valuable memories. Our goal is to reduce the stress in navigating the Self-Determination transition process, and that stress-related is to understand all the policies and requirements of the various agencies involved. We are driven to help people live as independently as possible with the dignity they deserve.
– Christina
Owner/Operator