Lisa Woods
Board President
Parent
About Us
TASK’s mission is to empower people with disabilities and their families through education and support.
Supporting Families,
Empowering Futures
At TASK, we are dedicated to helping individuals with disabilities and their families navigate special education, access resources, and build strong foundations for future success.
TASK supports individuals with disabilities, from birth to age 26, and their families. We provide guidance for a wide range of needs, including mental health, medical, and emotional challenges. Our assistive technology (AT) services help this age group build skills, enhance communication, and foster independence.
Our goal is to empower parents by helping them understand the special education system, their rights, and how to prepare for Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and future planning. We believe in building strong relationships between families and schools. While TASK doesn’t attend IEP meetings for parents, we provide the guidance, training, and resources they need to advocate for their children.
As the Parent Training and Information Center (PTI) for Imperial, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, and San Diego counties, we connect families with additional services when needed.
A Letter from Our Co-Founders
In 1975, the passage of Public Law 94-142, The Education for Handicapped Children Act, marked a turning point for children with disabilities, granting them the right to public education for the first time. Inspired by this change, Jan McHugh and Jean Turner co-founded TASK to help parents understand and navigate the new rights and opportunities available for their children.
TASK has grown over the years, empowering families with resources, advocacy, and support, and continues to make a difference for thousands of families each year.
Read the full stories from our co-founders, The Birth of TASK by Jean Turner and The Wings of TASK by Jan McHugh, to learn more about our journey and founding.
Jean TurnerCo-Founder, TASK
Jan McHughCo-Founder, TASK
Board Members
John H. Hess, Ed.D
Board Vice President
Executive Director, WACSEP (Retired)
Jack Lucas
Board Treasurer
Director, East San Gabriel Valley SELPA (Retired)
Kathleen Callahan
Board Secretary
Parent
Jean Turner
Board Member & Retired TASK Co-founder
Parent
Janis White, Ed.D
Board Member
Education & Training Consultant, Thompson Policy Institute
Kin Fung
Board Member
Parent
Rhonda Oliver
Board Member
Parent
Katherine Patel
Board Member
Parent
Kathleen McFarlin
Board Member
Supervisor, Comfort Connection Family Resource Center (Retired)
Managers
Join Our Team at TASK!
Learn MoreAt TASK, we believe in making a difference in the lives of children with disabilities and their families. When you work with us, you become part of a dedicated team that is passionate about empowering individuals and promoting inclusion. We value creativity, collaboration, and commitment to our mission, and we are always looking for talented and compassionate individuals to join us.
Make a Difference by Donating Today!
Every donation helps empower families with the resources they need to support loved ones with disabilities.
Connect with Us for Services and Support!
Looking for guidance or want to learn more about our services? We’re here to help! Email us at [email protected] for assistance.
