California Deep Dive

The Regional Center System

California's developmental disability services are delivered through 21 regional centers, which are private nonprofit organizations contracted by the California Department of Developmental Services (DDS). Regional centers are the gateway to virtually all state-funded disability services. Every person with a qualifying developmental disability in California is assigned to the regional center that serves their geographic area.

Regional centers provide case management, coordinate services, and purchase services from community providers on behalf of their clients. Services are free to eligible individuals regardless of income or immigration status. There is no waiting list for regional center eligibility; if you qualify, you are entitled to services under the Lanterman Act.

To apply, contact the regional center in your area and request an intake assessment. You will need diagnostic documentation. The regional center has 120 days to complete the eligibility determination. Qualifying conditions include intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, autism, and conditions closely related to intellectual disability or requiring similar treatment.

Once determined eligible, you will be assigned a service coordinator who develops an Individual Program Plan (IPP) with you. The IPP documents your goals, needed services, and the providers who will deliver them. IPPs are reviewed annually but can be updated at any time if your needs change. If you disagree with your service coordinator's decisions, you have the right to file a fair hearing request.

The Lanterman Act

The Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Services Act is the California law that establishes the right to services for people with developmental disabilities. It is one of the strongest disability rights laws in any state and provides the legal foundation for the regional center system.

Key provisions of the Lanterman Act include the right to treatment and habilitation services regardless of age, degree of disability, or income. The law emphasizes community integration, stating that services should be provided in the least restrictive environment that meets the person's needs. The Act also guarantees due process rights, including the right to a fair hearing before an administrative law judge if services are denied, reduced, or terminated.

In practice, the Lanterman Act means that if a service is in your IPP and related to your disability, the regional center must fund it unless there is a specific legal exception. The regional center cannot deny a service simply because it is expensive. However, the Act does require that "generic resources" (services available to the general public, like school-based services or Medi-Cal) be used before regional center funds.

In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS)

IHSS is a Medi-Cal-funded program that pays for in-home care providers to help people with disabilities and elderly individuals remain in their homes. IHSS is separate from the regional center system but is often used in combination with regional center services.

IHSS covers services like housecleaning, meal preparation, laundry, grocery shopping, personal care (bathing, dressing, grooming), accompaniment to medical appointments, and protective supervision for people with cognitive impairments who cannot safely be left alone.

A key advantage of IHSS is that you can hire anyone as your provider, including a parent (for adult children) or other family members. The provider is paid by the county at an hourly rate that varies by county. Hours are determined through a needs assessment conducted by a county social worker.

To apply for IHSS, contact your county social services department. Eligibility requires Medi-Cal enrollment and living in your own home or the home of a family member. There is generally no waiting list for IHSS, though the assessment process can take several weeks.

Self-Determination Program (SDP)

California's Self-Determination Program became available statewide in 2021, making it one of the largest self-determination programs in the country. SDP allows regional center clients to receive an individual budget and direct their own services instead of receiving traditional vendor-based services.

Under SDP, you work with an independent facilitator to develop a person-centered plan and a spending plan. You then use a financial management service (FMS) to manage payroll and billing. You can hire your own staff, including family members who live in the household (with some restrictions), and purchase creative supports that traditional regional center services would not cover.

Your SDP individual budget is based on the cost of services you would receive under the traditional system. If your current IPP authorizes $80,000 in annual services, your SDP budget will be approximately $80,000 (the exact calculation uses a methodology called the "individual budget amount" or IBA).

To enroll in SDP, contact your regional center service coordinator and express interest. You will attend an orientation, select an independent facilitator and FMS, complete a person-centered plan, and have your individual budget calculated. The process can take 3-6 months. See our Self-Determination guide for more on how self-determination works.

Department of Developmental Services (DDS)

DDS is the state agency that oversees the regional center system and sets policy for developmental disability services in California. DDS does not provide direct services but contracts with the 21 regional centers to deliver services.

DDS also operates a few remaining state-run developmental centers (institutions), though California has been actively closing these facilities and transitioning residents to community settings. The Sonoma Developmental Center and Fairview Developmental Center have closed, with residents moved to community placements.

The DDS website (dds.ca.gov) is a valuable resource for policy directives, rate information, provider directories, and data on the regional center system. You can also file complaints about regional center services through DDS.

Other California Programs

• Medi-Cal:California's Medicaid program covers medical care, therapy, prescription drugs, and durable medical equipment. Medi-Cal enrollment is required for IHSS and many regional center services.
• CalABLE:California's ABLE account program, allowing tax-advantaged savings for disability-related expenses without affecting SSI or Medi-Cal eligibility. Open an account at calable.ca.gov.
• Department of Rehabilitation (DOR):California's vocational rehabilitation agency, providing employment services, job training, and assistive technology for people with disabilities.
• Special Education Local Plan Areas (SELPAs):California's regional consortia of school districts that coordinate special education services. If you have disputes about your IEP, the SELPA is the next level of escalation before filing for due process.
• Disability Rights California (DRC):The state's federally funded protection and advocacy organization. DRC provides free legal assistance on disability rights issues, including regional center disputes, special education, and Medi-Cal denials.