CALIFORNIA’S REGIONAL CENTERSEverything you wanted to know in 15 minutes or less…

REGIONAL CENTERS ARE: Private, not-for-profit corporations which

contract with state government to provide state-mandated services and supports for people with developmental disabilities…. ….infants and toddlers at risk for developmental disabilities ……. and……. families of infants and toddlers who have specified at-risk conditions

A statutorily mandated program pursuant to the Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Services Act (W&I Code)

DEMOGRAPHICS:

21 regional centers (7 in Los Angeles County) Serving 240,000 clients and their families $4.2 billion budget $1.9 billion from federal financial participation

DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES ARE CAUSED BY:

Mental retardation Cerebral palsy Epilepsy Autism Buck Teeth

(if they result in a substantial handicap) The Common Cold

(if it occurred prior to the age of 18)

THE OVERARCHING GOAL OF THE LANTERMAN ACT IS: To enable people with developmental

disabilities: To live more independent and productive

lives; To approximate the pattern of everyday

living available to people of the same age without disabilities; and

To support their integration into the mainstream of community living

LANTERMAN ACT VALUES GUIDE ALL REGIONAL CENTER SERVICES: Least Restrictive/Most Inclusive Service Setting

Services provided in institutions and other large congregate settings are not consistent with the values promoted by the statute

LANTERMAN ACT VALUES GUIDE ALL REGIONAL CENTER SERVICES:

Individualization and Choice: Services and supports should maximize clients’

opportunities and choices for living, learning, working and having fun in their own local communities

LANTERMAN ACT VALUES GUIDE ALL REGIONAL CENTER SERVICES:

Primacy of Family: Each client’s individual plan should address the

family’s role in promoting their family member’s development

Clients and families must have a leadership role in service design

Family relationships must be respected and fostered by regional centers and service providers

LANTERMAN ACT VALUES GUIDE ALL REGIONAL CENTER SERVICES:

Health and Safety: Services and supports must promote stable

and healthy environments Services and supports must not include

experimental treatments, therapeutic services, or devices that have not been clinically determined or scientifically proven to be effective or safe or for which risks and complications are unknown

LANTERMAN ACT VALUES GUIDE ALL REGIONAL CENTER SERVICES:

Regional Centers are the “payer of last resort” Regional center funds must not supplant the

budget of any agency having the legal responsibility to serve the general public and which is receiving public funds to provide those services

Regional centers are required by the statute to identify and pursue all possible sources of funding available to meet the needs of each client

In planning, consideration must be given to the cost of providing services or supports of comparable quality by different providers

REGIONAL CENTER DIRECT SERVICES: Regional Centers direct services include:

Diagnosis and assessment Information and referral Needs identification Individual service planning Ice skating lessons Case management/service coordination Advocacy Service monitoring/quality improvement Resource development

REGIONAL CENTER PURCHASED SERVICES:

Regional centers may purchase services for clients if they are consistent with the requirements of the Lanterman Act and are based on needs which are identified in the client’s Individual Program Plan.

TYPICAL REGIONAL CENTER PURCHASED SERVICES INCLUDE:

Special living arrangements Various therapies Supported work Day programs Respite care Personal care Emergency and crisis intervention Infant stimulation Transportation

WE ARE YOUR PARTNERS IN SERVICE DELIVERY Some regional center clients go to

school….and our neighborhood schools are our partners

Some regional center clients live in foster care settings….and the Department of Children and Family Services is our partner

Some regional center clients also have mental health diagnoses….and the Department of Mental Health is our partner

Thank Youfor partnering with us in service to

people with developmental disabilities

CALIFORNIA REGIONAL CENTERS