OLIVER LINNER ROY
ADVOCATE - SPEAKER- EDUCATOR
Oliver Linner Roy: Advocate, Leader, and Champion for Families
Oliver Linner Roy is a lifelong Washingtonian, father, and tireless advocate dedicated to equity, justice, and inclusion across the District of Columbia. With more than 25 years of experience in outreach, disability advocacy, mental health training, and family support services, Oliver has become a trusted leader and voice for underserved residents—particularly in Ward 8.
As the Founder and CEO of The Linner Foundation and Family First Resource Center, Oliver has built a powerful network of support for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), foster youth, returning citizens, and vulnerable families. His organizations focus on empowerment through education, mental health awareness, workforce development, housing support, and family resource navigation.
Oliver’s leadership extends far beyond his foundation work. He currently serves as:
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Chairman, DC Homeland Emergency Management Disabilities Advisory Group
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Council Member, District of Columbia Disability Services
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Member, DC Superintendent’s Family Advisory Council (OSSE SAC)
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Member, DC Family Support Council for Quality Trust
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Advisor, Family Ties of DC, PAVE, and the DC Developmental Disabilities Council
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Previously, Oliver served as a member of the DC Commission on Persons with Disabilities and a member of the Disability Community Advisory Group (DCAG), where he helped shape citywide disability inclusion strategies. His contributions on the DC Developmental Disabilities Council and DC Family Support Council have advanced family engagement, accessibility, and inclusion policies across the city.
In addition to his council service, Oliver is the founder of the Male Caregivers Advocacy Support Group (MCAS)—a pioneering initiative dedicated to supporting fathers and male caregivers of children with special needs. He also chaired the Parent Advocacy Leaders Support Group, both programs sponsored by Health Services for Children with Special Needs (HSCSN). As an Epilepsy Advocate under a Department of Health grant, Oliver provided education and outreach to improve care and awareness. His service on the Mayor’s Advisory Advocacy Committee on Early Childhood Strategic Planning Task Force reflects his deep commitment to early intervention and lifelong support for families.
Oliver’s impact is reflected in his extensive community engagement:
In 2024, he and his team participated in over 100 outreach events, including 22 resource fairs, 19 health fairs, 17 job fairs, 11 presentations, and 16 speaking engagements, directly reaching more than 4,000 DC residents. Through these efforts, he has connected thousands of residents to food, housing, employment, and mental health resources, while registering new voters and empowering returning citizens.
A former foster youth who became a foster parent, Oliver draws on his personal experiences to advocate for children and families navigating the foster care and disability systems. His leadership embodies compassion, resilience, and action—turning lived experience into community transformation.
Now, as a candidate for the Ward 8 DC Council, Oliver continues his mission to uplift families, empower youth, and build an inclusive Washington, D.C. where every resident has the opportunity to thrive.
Contact:
📧 familyfirstresource1@gmail.com
📞 202-780-6303
🌐 #OliverForDC
Mr. Roy accepts invitations to speak to groups both nationally and across the Washington Metropolitan area. He tells his story of how he was a product of foster care only to become a foster parent himself by taking in two children with special health care needs. He receives multiple calls and invitations each week from parents seeking assistance on how to navigate through health, education, and social service systems.
Mr. Roy was named D. C. Parent Leader of the Year by Parents Anonymous® and DC Children’s Trust Fund and the District of Columbia Department of Health caregivers express parent advocate training: Living with epilepsy . Mr. Roy also received The 2008 Governor State of Maryland Academy Award of Adoptions and Today, he still stands strong as an example of a caring father and advocate for male caregivers of children with special needs.
Why Us?
Real first hand experience is what sets us apart from our competition.
Our focus is on prevention with behavioral health interventions.
