Ricardo Rodriguez was born several months premature and as a result, he experienced cognitive delays and was unable to walk or speak until he was eleven years old; he entered foster care shortly after birth. He has successfully completed high school and works to advocate for youth in foster care along with people with disabilities. Ricardo shares his personal experience with foster and adoptive parents surrounding trauma-informed approaches and attachment. He advocates with California Youth Connection, Just in Time and the San Diego Futures Foundation. At work, Ricardo is involved in SOAR (Strength, Opportunity, Abilities, Respect and Resilience); he organizes events related to disabilities including training and employee assistance programs. Ricardo’s long term career goal is to become a White Hat Security Specialist in Information Technology.
