HOW IT WORKS
This page will guide you through understanding who we serve, the types of support we offer, and how we operate. At the end, we'll provide you with simple steps to getting started with receiving services. Scroll through each section to learn more and sign up with us at the bottom!
WHO WE SERVE
We're dedicated to serving individuals with broad neurotypes, developmental needs, and both short-term and long-term disabilities. Our standard of practice is to offer free neurodiversity-affirming, accessible, and inclusive care to everyone involved with The Rainbow FRC. The majority of our classes, groups, and 1-on-1 services are open to the public and you don't need a qualifying financial circumstance or official diagnosis to reach out. This may be the right organization for you if you:
Are neurodivergent or have a developmental delay
Are an aging adult with new or evolving accessibility needs
Are a spouse or caregiver to a neurodivergent or disabled adult
Are Deaf, hard of hearing, or visually impaired
Have an illness or injury causing short-term or longterm disability or support needs
Are a parent or guardian to a neurodivergent or disabled child
Have one or more physical disabilities or chronic illnesses
Are a late-diagnosed or pre-diagnosed adult seeking resources and support
Are an educator, professional, or community member who wants to learn more!
TYPES OF SUPPORT
We are in the process of finding the right space to launch our physical center! In the meantime, we offer classes, support groups, and play opportunities through established local organizations as well as remote one-on-one support as needed for our clients. All of our services are donation-based and there is no expectation of payment (but we sure appreciate it!)
Classes, Support Groups, & Play
Our class schedule can be found under "News & Events" above and features a growing list of free and low-cost classes, support groups, and play opportunities held virtually and in-person in the community. You can also find our classes here:
https://app.squareup.com/appointments/book/classes/pok5l6of6nuxbn/L7DK6T4EXC1DT/classes
One-on-One Support
Every individual's needs are different and one of the best ways we can get to know you is through direct support. We can help you find services, join social groups, gather resources, and more. Each individual (or family) is assigned a dedicated mentor whose role is to support you with research, advocacy, and navigating complex service programs.
Partnerships
We are partnering with local organizations committed to serving the community. By building a network of collaborative partners, we hope to make it easier for our clients to find the exact resource they need. This includes:
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Family centers and similar collectives
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State and local agencies
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Mental health organizations
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Parenting education providers
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Food distribution services
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Essentials distribution
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Financial relief programs
...And more! If you are part of an organization that would like to partner with us, please reach out to abigail@therainbowfrc.org
Looking Ahead
We are working to expand our service offerings to include a comprehensive family of programs designed to support individuals across the lifespan. Acquiring vendorship and meeting licensure requirements through state and local organizations will enable us to address community health, accessibility, advocacy, education, and relief by building or expanding the following programs:
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Social Rec & Respite Care
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Early Start Parent-to-Parent Support
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Community Navigators
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​Community Health
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Expanded parent education
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​IEP and school-based advocacy
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Financial relief for qualifying hardships
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Individual and group therapy​
GETTING STARTED
We make it as easy as possible to seek services and support. Simply follow the step-by-step guide or scroll on to learn more. This process is completely free.
1. Tell us about you
Fill out our client intake form for you, your loved one, or both: https://forms.gle/73P9YG83YY5re5Wc6
If you need help filling out this form, call, email, or text us and we'll be happy to assist you: abigail@therainbowfrc.org
(831)539-7297
2. You will be assigned a dedicated team member
Somebody will contact you within 72 hours to review your intake form, ask additional questions, and schedule a free 1-hour meeting to collaborate on a service plan and help you connect with resources. Your assigned mentor will be your dedicated support person for your time with The Rainbow FRC!
3. Explore our calendar and attend an event
You do not need to be a registered client to sign up for an event. We have a growing calendar of regular events, classes, support groups, and play opportunities- all open to the public! Meet us in person or join a virtual session to see what we're all about and start building connections. Our events are free and low-cost with donations graciously accepted. Click here for our calendar.
4. Learn about our collective
We rely on public input and involvement to help shape our programs and ensure that we are meeting the needs of the community. One of the ways that we do this is by operating as a collective and giving you the chance to get directly invested in our initiative! Joining our collective is a completely optional opportunity for our clients and the broader community to help shape our programs, vote on decisions regarding our organization, access member benefits, and be a part of something great! You do not need to be a collective member to receive services. Scroll on to learn more about our collective.
OUR COLLECTIVE
The Rainbow Family Resource Center operates as a community collective with a tiered membership structure that invites the people we serve to be directly involved with the shaping of our programs and the priorities of our leadership team. Our programs are completely open to the public and memberships are an option for individuals and families interested in supporting our cause, having a direct say in our operations, and receiving member benefits. Member dues are on a sliding scale and we are more than happy to accommodate your financial constraints.
Tiers
Each tier of our collective represents community members and community-focused organizations using their skills and passion to build a strong network of resources for Santa Cruz County. Each tier is assigned a color that together makes our rainbow. Individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofits are all welcome and encouraged to join us in building a web of resources for the community!
Dues
All membership dues are charged through a "pay what you can" honor system. Individuals, families, and organizations can all qualify for Collective membership. The Rainbow FRC calculates its financial need annually and uses that information to determine what our requested dues will be for the year. Members ultimately choose to commit to an amount that meets their financial ability and can choose to pay it over the course of the year or all at once. If your finances change during the year, adjustments can be made to the commitment. Take our quiz to help determine the right commitment for you: https://form.jotform.com/243435767086062
Benefits & Responsibilities
Ambassadors
Clients & Community Members
Role & Responsibilities: Community members and clients in the Red Tier are essential to the collective’s purpose. They engage by attending events, using services, and providing feedback.
Key Benefits: Access to collective resources, community-building opportunities, and the ability to influence program offerings through feedback channels and voting rights.
Empowerment Focus: Through their participation, they shape program design and make suggestions that are essential for the collective’s continuous mission of inclusion.
Supporters
Volunteers & Advocates
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Role & Responsibilities: Community members and volunteers in the Orange Tier contribute through volunteer work, event assistance, and outreach.
Key Benefits: All of the benefits of the Red Tier, plus the ability to more deeply influence program offerings through minor leadership roles and voting rights.
Empowerment Focus: Supporters are valued for their efforts to extend the collective’s reach, creating a deeper sense of belonging and impact.
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Collaborators
Skilled Volunteers & Program Developers
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Role & Responsibilities: Community members & volunteers in the Yellow Tier work directly on specific projects or programs, applying their skills to enhance the collective’s offerings (e.g., program design, event planning).
Key Benefits: All the benefits of the Orange Tier, plus access to professional development resources, leadership training, and the ability to influence program design through direct action and voting rights.
Empowerment Focus: Collaborators are empowered through skill-building and mentorship, allowing them to take an active role in shaping the collective’s programming and community impact.
Partners
Organizations & Businesses
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Role & Responsibilities: Organizations and businesses in the Green Tier help expand the collective’s impact by providing additional resources, co-hosting events, or working on joint initiatives that benefit both organizations and the wider community.
Key Benefits: Co-marketing opportunities, co-branding on joint events, space use, and a formal voice in decisions related to collective partnerships and community outreach planning; Partner organizations receive free or discounted Ambassador Memberships for their team members
Empowerment Focus: Through partnerships, members in this tier are positioned as key allies in the collective's mission, fostering a cooperative network that amplifies mutual success and a strong network of community resources.
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Organizers
Paid Employees & High-Commitment Volunteers
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Role & Responsibilities: Paid Employees & High-Commitment Volunteers in the Blue Tier ensure the smooth running of collective activities, oversee team projects, and handle logistics. They are key in implementing and maintaining quality in the collective’s offerings.
Key Benefits: All the benefits of the Yellow Tier and below, plus additional voting rights on major operational decisions, increased decision-making power, access to management development resources, and extended voting rights.
Empowerment Focus: Organizers feel ownership of the collective’s operations, as they have substantial influence over how services are delivered and how the collective meets its goals.
Stewards
Leaders, Founders, & Board Members
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Role & Responsibilities: Stewards focus on governance, strategic planning, and ensuring the collective remains aligned with its mission and values. They make high-level decisions about the direction of the organization.
Key Benefits: The highest level of authority and the responsibility to mentor other tiers, fostering a culture of support and growth.
Empowerment Focus: Stewards have the power and responsibility to guide the collective’s vision and future, emphasizing servant leadership and community accountability.​