|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
Get insight from experts! If you are a professional working with persons with special needs, please share your thoughts and experiences with our Special Connection Community? Send your material to: SpecialConnection@CampDepot.com.
Regional Centers The Developmental Services System in California includes twenty-one regional centers (RCs). Services provided to individuals with developmental disabilities and their families are special and unique; therefore, private nonprofit community agencies are utilized to operate the centers in specific regions of the state. These agencies, under contract with the State Department of Developmental Services, serve as fixed points of contact in the community so that individuals and their families may have access to the services and supports best suited to them throughout their lifetimes. Each agency has its own governing Board of Directors. Although the design and activities of each center may vary, the legislative intent for a strong commitment to the delivery of direct service coordination (including eligibility determination) is the same for all. Each center provides services necessary to support and enhance the delivery of direct service coordination and services and supports identified in individual program plans. In addition to case management, support services include, but may not be limited to, administrative, clinical support services, information and training support, resource development/relations, and quality assurance. When a person needing assistance comes to a regional center, a service coordinator is assigned to him or her. This coordinator helps develop a plan for services, shares information on where services are available, and helps the individual and his or her family to acquire the services. The regional center uses a planning process called an Individual Program Plan (IPP). For children age birth to 36 months, this process is called the Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP). The plan is jointly prepared and agreed to by the individual, the parents of a minor child, a guardian or conservator (if any), anyone else the individual invites to participate, and the regional center staff. The IPP (or IFSP) lists the goals and the services needed to reach those goals for the individual. It lists who will provide the service and who will pay for it. All services listed in the IPP will be provided either by generic or natural resources, regional center vendors (businesses approved by the regional center to deliver goods and/or services), or the regional center directly. Eligibility for regional center services requires that the disability must begin before the individual's 18th birthday, is expected to continue indefinitely, and presents a substantial disability. The disability must be due to one of the following conditions: mental retardation; cerebral palsy; epilepsy; autism; or disabling conditions closely related to mental retardation which necessitate treatment similar to that required by persons with a diagnosis of mental retardation. Infants and toddlers (age birth to 36 months) who are at risk of having a developmental disability or who have a developmental delay also may qualify for services. Individuals at risk of having a child with a developmental disability may be eligible for referral for genetic diagnosis, counseling, and other prevention services. A developmental disability cannot be either solely physical nor solely a mental illness in nature. Individuals and/or their families should contact the intake unit at the regional center that covers their residential address for additional information to determine eligibility for services.
Examples of
services related to a developmental disability which regional
centers provide include: There is no charge for diagnosis and assessment for eligibility. Once eligibility is determined, most services are free regardless of age or income. Parents may be required to pay a monthly fee for children under age 18 who are placed out of home. There may also be a co-payment requirement for other selected services. Regional centers are required by law to provide services in the most cost-effective way possible. They must use all other resources, including generic resources, before using any regional center funds. A generic resource is a service provided by an agency that has a legal responsibility to provide services to the general public, and receives public funds for providing these services. Generic agencies include, but may not limited to, the local school district, county social services department, Medi-Cal, the Social Security Administration, and the Department of Rehabilitation. Other resources may include natural supports. This is help that may be obtained from family, friends, or others at little or no cost. Each center enters into a five-year contract with the Department of Developmental Services. The contract is designed to assist eligible men, women, and children to achieve life quality outcomes, and develop services and supports deemed necessary to meet identified needs. Community members are invited to participate in a public process to develop annual performance objectives for the regional centers. This provides a means for each center to include interested members of the community in meeting the needs of the particular communities they serve. If you think you may qualify for regional center services and would like to know which regional center to contact, visit the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) on the Web at www.dds.ca.gov, and click the regional center's icon to obtain the telephone number and address of your local regional center. Call and ask to speak to the intake coordinator, and make an appointment to apply. Bring any reports, assessments, IEPs, etc. that you have; this can speed up the application process. If you already are a regional center consumer, family member, or other involved person, but you do not know who your case manager is, just call the RC and ask the receptionist what you need to do to find out. It is also a good practice to keep a copy of your IPP/IFSP. Ask your case manger to send it to you if you don't have it. If you believe you have other service needs that are not on your IPP/IFSP, you may request an IPP/IFSP meeting to address them. If you have a disagreement with your case manager about services and are unable to resolve it with your case manager, speak to the supervisor. You may appeal any decision or denial of service from your RC. You may also request a copy of relevant policy(ies). It is a good idea to contact the Clients' Rights Advocate (CRA) to assist you with any necessary appeal procedures. Ask your case manager for the telephone number of the CRA for your center. If a problem arises with a service provider that is funded through your RC (they are called vendors), you may contact your case manager and the Quality Assurance Unit at your RC. You should ask your RC case manager to tell you about services that are available to consumers and families. Your RC may have a directory of services they can share with you. Sometimes people don't know that respite care, camp, or parent training, for example, are available services. You can also keep better informed by joining parent groups and going to the Parent Resource Center. You can get more involved by serving on committees, boards, and advisory groups. Regional centers are a resource available to Californians. Developing a good relationship with your Regional Center can help you deal with the challenges associated with persons with special needs.
Submitted
by: |
