05/22/2026
📢 Illinois Families for Early Intervention, Inc. would like to formally introduce you to our new IFEI Fathers Forward Director, Manny Garcia. (Manuel Garcia) (See our attachment below!!)
✅ If you want to get involved with other of children with disabilities and delays around the State to make a difference in children's lives in Illinois and have a community of FATHERS to communicate with and do life with - JOIN OUR WEBEX MEETING NEXT THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2026 at 5:30pm - ONLY!!!
🌟 Manny Garcia is a neurodivergent father, advocate, and behavioral health professional from Chicago’s Northwest Side. His experiences growing up in Chicago inspired his passion for supporting families navigating disability services, education systems, and mental health care.
🏆 Manny earned a bachelor’s degree in Counseling and Applied Psychological Science and a master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from Arizona State University. He will begin pursuing a doctorate in Organizational Leadership at Rockhurst University this fall while continuing his path toward becoming a BCBA.
🥇 He currently works in the ABA field as an RBT and Training & Development Coordinator, supporting autistic children, mentoring staff, helping families navigate services, and developing trainings focused on advocacy, communication, and leadership.
✨ As a neurodivergent father raising neurodivergent children, Manny has firsthand experience with IEPs, 504 Plans, therapies, and school advocacy. He is passionate about helping families feel informed, confident, and supported within systems that can often feel overwhelming.
💥 Manny also enjoys mentoring others entering behavioral health, strengthening community connections, and creating spaces where families feel heard and respected. Outside of work, he enjoys networking, board games, community organizing, and spending time with his kids.
🔥 We are SO excited for Manny's many ideas he has to engage Fathers around the State of Illinois, BUT he will need help from - FATHERS.
👑 That's why we are opening up an initial meeting next Thursday at 5:30pm to FATHERS ONLY around the State of Illinois!! If you can't make it, don't worry there will be more meetings in the future with more of a heads up. Next week is a "planning meeting".
✅ If you want to get involved with other of children with disabilities and delays around the State to make a difference in children's lives in Illinois and have a community of FATHERS to communicate with and do life with - JOIN OUR WEBEX MEETING NEXT THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2026 at 5:30pm - ONLY!!!
📢 Meeting Invite Information Is Below!!!
🤝 Please share with your networks who know FATHERS of children with disabilities and delays, widely!!
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JOIN WEBEX MEETING
https://ilfamiliesforei.webex.com/ilfamiliesforei/j.php?MTID=m8b0ca0c100f62334f6ea6d058c499d19
Meeting number (access code): 2664 688 2743
Meeting password: jyJp9HpUU33 (59579478 when dialing from a phone or video system)
TAP TO JOIN FROM A MOBILE DEVICE (ATTENDEES ONLY)
+1-650-479-3208,,26646882743 #59579478 # tel:%2B1-650-479-3208,,*01*26646882743%2359579478%23*01* United States Toll
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