The Community Engagement Team at Inland Regional Center (IRC) is delighted to introduce its new Program Manager, Monica Munguia!

Monica brings over 18 years of experience in the field of Human Services to our team. She joins us after a decade of dedicated service at the North LA County Regional Center, where she held various roles, including Consumer Services Coordinator (CSC), Educational Advocate, Contract Officer, and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Specialist. Monica’s diverse background also includes serving as an Adjunct Faculty Member at College of the Canyons, a Career Guidance Counselor for the CalWORKs Program at Los Angeles Mission College, and a Public Relations Manager for the Papalote Children’s Museum in Mexico City.

Monica earned her Bachelor of Science in Education from La Salle University in Mexico City and a Master’s degree in Special Education from CSU Northridge. In 2018, she received training in Dispute Resolution from Pepperdine University and continues to engage in ongoing training with Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) to stay informed about our community’s evolving needs.

She firmly believes in the value of interdisciplinary teamwork to meet the needs of Regional Center clients and their families and recognizes the importance of empowering communities to make a difference.

As the Program Manager of Community Engagement, Monica is committed to ensuring that community initiatives thrive and expand to reach underprivileged populations, including rural areas, Native American communities, minority groups, and individuals whose primary language, or that of their caregivers, is not English, among other priorities.

IRC is deeply committed to fostering strong relationships with other community agencies, and Monica is dedicated to promoting internal staff connections and engaging with our stakeholders. She envisions a more equitable, accountable, and transparent system and is eager to be a part of the journey toward positive change.

On a lighter note, Monica has a passion for cultural events and enjoys traveling with her family. She is the proud mother of three daughters, including two teenagers, a 7-year-old, and a 3-year-old German Shepherd named Maximus. Since 2019, she has called our community home and feels extremely fortunate to now be a part of Inland Regional Center, serving the community she cherishes.

Posted by:

Dr. CJ Cook, DBA

As Program Administrator, CJ is responsible for the proactive oversight of various units within IRC, including Community Management, Service Access and Equity, and Training and Development. CJ's oversight extends to Language Access and Cultural Competency (LACC), Community-Based Organizations (CBOs), equity in the Purchase of Service (POS), and the National Core Indicator (NCI) project. Furthermore, CJ is tasked with managing the IRC's Performance Contract with DDS and overseeing Emergency Services.