What We Do
We NETWORK to build cooperative relationships.
We promote ADVOCACY with and for people with disabilities.
We PARTNER to host events that benefit the community at large.
Sponsors
The Inland Empire Disabilities Collaborative is powered by a partnership between Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP), Community Access Center and PossAbilities of Loma Linda University.
Board of Directors
PIcture of Gabriel Uribe
Gabriel Uribe, President
Dr. Gabriel Uribe serves as the Director of Community Health and has previously served as the Independent Living and Diversity Services Manager and Disability Community Representative at the Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP). Dr. Uribe’s contributions in the areas of community health, program design, diversity and inclusion, policy development and social innovation have been key to the development of a robust community collaboration initiatives in IEHP’s catchment area. IEHP is a not-for-profit public entity, rapidly growing Medi-Cal and Medicare health plan in California. With a network of more than 6,400 Providers and 2,000 employees, IEHP serves over 1.3 million residents of California’s Riverside and San Bernardino counties who are enrolled in Medi-Cal, and Cal MediConnect (Medicare-Medicaid Plan).
In addition to his role at IEHP, Dr. Uribe is a Professor of Social Work Policy at La Sierra University. His passion for social justice and disability rights have afforded him the opportunity to volunteer on several community agency boards.
Dr. Uribe earned a Doctor of Social Work at the University of Southern California and holds a Masters of Public Administration from Cal Poly Pomona. He is an experienced social service professional committed to the delivery of accessible and culturally responsive health care for low-income and underrepresented communities.
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Cotie Williams, Vice President
Cotie Williams is the current Director of the Community Development & Outreach department for East Campus and Surgical Hospital at Loma Linda University Health (which includes the PossAbilities program). Upon her arrival in 2008, she brought with her over 15 years of experience in the government and private sectors as well as experience with a Fortune 500 company. Cotie has a heart of compassion for those in her community and accesses her expertise in outreach, marketing, business administration, philanthropy, project management and event coordination to provide resources to community members with a disability and veterans. She lives in her passion everyday by being of service to others, collaborating to build community, and providing new direction and hope for those with diverse disabilities, veterans, and seniors..
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Mario Janesin, Treasurer
Mario Janesin works for Simpler Life Emergency Provisions Inc. Mario has been involved in emergency preparedness since 2003 when his family had to evacuate their Crestline home for ten days. He has been an advocate for preparedness ever since that experience. Mario has been an advocate for disaster preparedness for persons with disabilities or access and functional needs for over ten years. He presents workshops that focus on the need for persons with disabilities and the elderly to get prepared for emergency situations by creating a network and preparing for their specific functional needs to retain their independence. He continues his work in emergency preparedness and feels the IEDC members need to have information as well as a plan when disaster strikes.
Board Members
Jennifer Smith
Larry Grable
Larry Grable has been the Executive Director of the Service Center for Independent Life (SCIL) for the past 8years, one of the 28 Independent Living Centers in California. He was the Chair of the Board of Directors for 2 years prior to that. Before working for SCIL, Larry worked for the Office of the Governor for 8 years as the Director of the Inland Empire Field Office. Prior to that he worked for Senator Jim Brulte as a Field Representative. Larry is the Chair of the California Foundation for Independent Living Centers, Commissioner on the San Bernardino County Aging Commission, serves on the Community Senior Services Advisory Council, and a Board Member for the Emergency Network of Los Angeles where he represents the Disability Community. Larry has been married for 28 years with 3 children and 3 grandkids.
Jennifer Smith is a Program Coordinator II with the County of Riverside Emergency Management Department (EMD). Jennifer currently manages the Emergency Management Performance Grant and oversees the volunteer program and training for EMD. Jennifer has been the Access and Functional Needs (AFN) Coordinator for six years and has been with EMD for a total of eight years. Jennifer graduated from the University of California Riverside in 1994 with a B.A. in Sociology and Business Administration. Jennifer is married with two beautiful children who are now attending college. Jennifer’s favorite sports teams are Los Angeles Lakers and the Kansas City Chiefs. Jennifer enjoys reading, hiking, lounging by the pool, watching basketball, and spending time with family.
2025 Monthly Meeting Co-Chairs
Richard Startz
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Richard Startz, Independent Living Specialist, Rolling Start Inc.
Richard has had the privilege of attending IEDC meetings for the past two years. He has also worked as an Independent Living Specialist at Rolling Start Inc. during this time. At 54 years old, he is a T-10 paraplegic, the result of a gunshot wound he sustained in 1991, and he has been living with this disability for nearly 34 years.
Although he is relatively new to working within this community, the past two years have been among the most fulfilling and rewarding of his life. Helping his fellow individuals with disabilities has brought a deep sense of purpose and meaning that he had not experienced before. The resources and connections he has gained through the IEDC meetings have been invaluable in supporting his consumers, and it would be an incredible honor to serve as co-chair. Richard is excited about this opportunity and deeply committed to furthering our collective mission.
Jennifer Esparza
PIcture of Jennifer Esparza
Jennifer Esparza, Peer and Family Advocate, San Bernardino County Department of Behavioral Health
Jennifer is interested in becoming a co-chair for the Inland Empire Disabilities Collaborative Meeting because she is passionate about serving the community, working towards mental health equity, and being an ally for people living with disabilities.
Jennifer has worked with the County of San Bernadino for 7 years and within her role as a PFA for 5 years. Jennifer has a passion for helping others in need since she was a little girl. As a PFA she enjoys helping those who have or are suffering from a mental health issue/illness, homelessness and/or drug and alcohol abuse. Jennifer serves as an advocate with lived experience and continues to serve her community by assisting individuals and their families with resources. In her role at the Office of Equity and Inclusion, she supports the Disabilities Awareness, LBGTQ Awareness, and Womens Awareness Subcommittees within the Behavioral Health Department. She is passionate in her ability to connect, engage and network with folks from different programs and organizations.
Support Team
picture of Lindsay Murren
Lindsay Murren, Board Secretary
Stay tuned!
