Catholic Guardian Services Selected to Present on Autism and Child Welfare at 2026 SOMOS Puerto Rico Conference
September 17, 2026
Catholic Guardian Services has been selected to present a workshop at the 2026 SOMOS Puerto Rico Conference, bringing its experience in autism services, developmental disabilities and child welfare in New York City to a broader conversation about strengthening support for children and families.
The agency received confirmation of its workshop's acceptance on September 17, following a competitive submission process that drew nearly 300 proposals. The workshop will be part of the conference's Community Welfare and Family Support programming, with legislative workshops scheduled for November 5 and 6 in Puerto Rico.
Organized by SOMOS Inc. in partnership with New York's Puerto Rican and Hispanic legislative community, the conference brings together policymakers, nonprofit leaders and community organizations to examine issues affecting Hispanic and Latino communities.
Addressing the Intersection of Autism, Disability and Child Welfare
Catholic Guardian Services' workshop will explore how New York can better coordinate services for children with autism, intellectual disabilities and other developmental disabilities, particularly when their families are also navigating the child welfare system.
Families often need support from several systems at once, including healthcare, behavioral health, special education, developmental disability services, Medicaid care management and family support programs.
Yet these systems operate under different eligibility requirements, timelines, funding structures and service plans. Families may be responsible for coordinating multiple providers and navigating disconnected processes while caring for children with complex needs.
Catholic Guardian Services' proposed discussion will examine how stronger coordination, earlier intervention and shared responsibility among service providers can help families access appropriate support.
The workshop will also explore the importance of culturally responsive services and the additional barriers that Hispanic and Latino families may encounter when navigating complex public systems.
Bringing Catholic Guardian Services' Experience to the Conversation
Catholic Guardian Services brings experience across several of the service systems the workshop will examine.
Through its Developmental Disability Services Program, the agency provides residential and community-based support for individuals with developmental disabilities, encouraging independence and meaningful community participation.
Its Children's Health Home Care Management Program helps families coordinate medical, behavioral health and community-based services, while its foster care and family permanency programs support children and caregivers navigating complex needs.
Catholic Guardian Services has also developed its Autism Center for Excellence to strengthen the identification of developmental needs and connect children and families with appropriate clinical and community-based supports.
These programs provide practical insight into the challenges families encounter when their needs extend across multiple systems, as well as the opportunities for organizations to work together more effectively.
The agency's participation in the SOMOS conference reflects its ongoing commitment to collaboration and to contributing its direct service experience to conversations about strengthening care for New York's children and families.
Catholic Guardian Services looks forward to participating in the November conference and sharing its perspective alongside other leaders working to support children, caregivers and communities.
About Catholic Guardian Services
Catholic Guardian Services is a nonprofit social service agency serving children and families across the five boroughs of New York City. The agency provides foster care and adoption services, children's mental health care, family support programs, and services for people with developmental disabilities, and serves all who need help regardless of faith, race, or background. Sponsored by Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York, its roots reach back to 1887, and its legal incorporation dates to 1913. Catholic Guardian Services is headquartered at 488 Madison Avenue, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10022. Phone: (212) 371-1000. Donate or learn more at catholicguardian.org.