Meet the team

 Rafael & Ramona Diaz | Founders & Owners

At 1 Step Forward Day Program, our passion for helping individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities goes beyond our profession—it’s personal.

Meet Rafael and Ramona Diaz, the husband-and-wife team behind 1 Step Forward. Together, they bring over 20 years of experience working with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, dedicating their careers to promoting independence, inclusion, self-advocacy, and meaningful opportunities within the community.

For Ramona, this work holds an especially personal place in her heart. Growing up and helping care for her brother, who has intellectual disabilities, gave her firsthand experience with the challenges families face, the importance of advocacy, and the need for compassionate, quality services. This personal connection continues to inspire her commitment to creating opportunities where every individual feels valued, respected, and included.

Rafael shares that same dedication and passion for helping others reach their fullest potential. Together, they founded 1 Step Forward with a vision of creating more than just a traditional day program. They wanted to build a welcoming environment where individuals could develop life skills, build friendships, explore their interests, gain confidence, and become active members of their communities.

Community Partnerships Matter

We believe that making a meaningful difference takes collaboration. That’s why we are proud to connect and partner with wonderful organizations such as Joshua’s Gift, an organization dedicated to supporting individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities.

Through partnerships like these, we hope to expand education, awareness, and advocacy, including supporting initiatives such as Code Joshua’s Training, which helps law enforcement and first responders better understand and interact with individuals with autism and developmental disabilities.

Our goal is not only to provide quality day program services but also to help create safer, more understanding, and more inclusive communities for the individuals and families we serve.

With programs serving the East Bay and Central Valley, Rafael and Ramona remain committed to building relationships, advocating for individuals with disabilities, and creating opportunities for growth and independence.

At 1 Step Forward, we believe every individual deserves the opportunity to be seen, heard, respected, and celebrated.

More than a program—it’s a place to belong, grow, and shine.