Special Education Advocacy
Guidance through evaluations, eligibility, discipline, and disputes — so your child gets the free, appropriate education the law promises.
Special Education & Disability Advocacy
Advocacy with heart.
Advocacy with heart.
Support with purpose.
We help California families navigate special education, disability advocacy, and the Self-Determination Program — with a partner who listens first and stands beside you every step.
Independent facilitation, statewide
Every California Regional Center
Based in Fresno
Empowering families. Changing futures.
Our mission is to empower families of individuals with disabilities by providing advocacy, education, and support — with heart. We meet you where you are, translate complex systems into plain language, and make sure your child's voice is at the center of every decision.
The heart in our name is a promise: everything we do, we do with our whole heart — because no family should ever have to feel alone in this.
Advocacy with heart. Support with purpose.
What we do
Services built around your family
Whether you're preparing for your first IEP meeting or building a Self-Determination budget, we bring calm, knowledgeable support to every table.
IEP Support & Meetings
We prepare with you, sit beside you, and keep the meeting focused on goals, services, and outcomes that actually fit your child.
Independent Facilitation (Regional Center SDP)
Vendored independent facilitation for the Self-Determination Program — person-centered planning, budgets, and spending plans that put you in charge.
Resource Navigation & Systems Support
IHSS, Regional Center services, fair hearings, and the maze in between — we help you find the right door and open it.
Our specialty
Independent Facilitation for the Self-Determination Program
The Self-Determination Program (SDP) gives your family real control over the services and supports in your life. As a vendored independent facilitator, we work for you — not the system — to build a plan and budget that reflect what matters most.
- Person-centered planning that starts with your goals and vision
- Individual budget and spending-plan development
- Support finding and coordinating your chosen providers
- A steady guide through the transition into SDP
What we believe
The heart behind the work
Every child has potential
We plan for who your child can become, not just the label on a form.
Every family deserves support
You should never have to face the system alone or in the dark.
Every voice matters
Your family's priorities lead the plan — we make sure they're heard.
Statewide coverage
Serving families across California
We're based in Fresno and provide independent facilitation for the Self-Determination Program with every Regional Center in the state.
Your home center? If you don't see how we can help in your area, just ask — we work statewide.
- Alta California (ACRC)
- Central Valley (CVRC)
- Eastern Los Angeles (ELARC)
- Far Northern (FNRC)
- Golden Gate (GGRC)
- Harbor (HRC)
- Inland (IRC)
- Kern (KRC)
- Frank D. Lanterman (FDLRC)
- North Bay (NBRC)
- North Los Angeles County (NLACRC)
- Redwood Coast (RCRC)
- East Bay (RCEB)
- Orange County (RCOC)
- San Andreas (SARC)
- San Diego (SDRC)
- San Gabriel/Pomona (SG/PRC)
- South Central Los Angeles (SCLARC)
- Tri-Counties (TCRC)
- Valley Mountain (VMRC)
- Westside (WRC)
Who you'll work with
Meet the team
Real people who know these systems from the inside — and who treat your family the way we'd want ours treated.
Kathryn Aranzasu
Co-Founder, Owner & Independent Facilitator
Kathryn co-founded Facilitation With Heart to give families a knowledgeable, tenacious advocate in their corner. She brings deep, hands-on experience with California's disability and special education systems — from IEP tables to Regional Center planning — and a relentless commitment to making sure every child's needs are heard, understood, and met.
K_Aranzasu@fwheart.comAneicesa Borquez
Co-Founder, Owner & Independent Facilitator
Aneicesa co-founded Facilitation With Heart and advocates for families through every stage of the journey — planning, meetings, and navigating complex systems. She pairs genuine warmth and steady organization with a fierce belief that no family should have to find their way alone.
A_Borquez@fwheart.com
Ready to start
Start services
This is our ready-to-start intake questionnaire. Tell us a little about your family and the person you care for, and we'll reach out to set up a time to talk and walk you through next steps. There's no cost to inquire and no obligation.
Your information goes directly and securely to Facilitation With Heart through Google Forms and is kept confidential. If the form doesn't load below, use the button to open it in a new tab.
Let's talk
Reach out — we'd love to help
Tell us a little about your family and where you are in the process. We'll follow up personally.
Call(559) 412-8545
Text only(559) 753-0968
Email KathrynK_Aranzasu@fwheart.com
Email AneicesaA_Borquez@fwheart.com
Websitefwheart.com
LocationFresno, California · Serving families statewide