Meet Vanessa Hu

Vanessa Hu is the founder of V&G Consulting and a California Self-Determination Program Independent Facilitator. She is also a parent who has walked this road herself.

A parent first

Vanessa’s work began at home. She first noticed her child’s language delay, which the regional center confirmed. A medical diagnosis of autism followed, and later an ADHD diagnosis through an Independent Educational Evaluation. Her family went through years of early intervention, and she learned how the regional center and the school district work by navigating both, one meeting at a time. Along the way she completed extensive parent training grounded in behavior science, from UCLA Kids Connect to PEERS.

The road has been long, and it has brought real progress.

From helping friends to helping families

For years, Vanessa shared her family’s journey in the community and helped other parents on her own time. So many of them asked for her help that she trained as an Independent Facilitator through Guidelight Group and made it her work.

Today she guides families of children and adults with developmental disabilities through every part of the Self-Determination Program: the person-centered plan, the budget, choosing providers, and the yearly renewal. She also serves as an education advocate at IEP meetings and teaches parents how to use regional center, school, and IHSS resources. Families meet with her by video, by phone, and in person at home, at regional center offices, and at IEP meetings.

What she believes

Vanessa believes in the mind-body connection, and encourages physical exercise, sports, and social and recreational activities as part of a full life. She practices it too, coaching young skiers with the Mammoth Mountain Ski & Snowboard Team. She also believes that education in the least restrictive environment is a civil right.

In English and Mandarin

Vanessa works with families in English and Mandarin Chinese. For Mandarin-speaking parents, she translates and explains each step at IEP and regional center meetings so the whole family can take part in decisions.