Frequently Asked Questions 2
How do I know what types of services I will get?
Regional centers use a planning process to develop an Individual Program Plan (IPP). For children ages 0 to 36 months, this process results in an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP). The plan is developed by you, parents of a minor child, a guardian or conservator (if any), anyone else you invite to be with you, and the regional center staff.
The IPP (or IFSP) lists your goals and the services needed to reach those goals. It describes who will provide the service and who will pay for it. All services listed in the IPP or IFSP will be provided either by a generic or natural resource, a regional center service provider (a business approved by the regional center) or directly by the regional center.
How can I apply to receive regional center services?
To apply to see if you qualify to receive regional center services, please read the information on our Eligibility page, and complete an intake eligibility application which can be found at www.nlacrc.org/eligibility.html.
What are state developmental centers?
The Department of Developmental Services currently operates four State developmental centers (DCs) which are licensed and certified as Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF), Intermediate Care Facility/Mentally Retarded (ICF/MR), and General Acute Care hospitals (GAC). The primary mission of the DC/CF facilities is to provide 24-hour habilitation and treatment services for residents with developmental disabilities designed to increase levels of independence, functioning skills, and opportunities for making choices that affect a person's life including the identification of services and supports and options for transition into the local community.
What is the Lanterman Act?
The Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Services Act of 1969 is a California law that was passed in 1969. It says that people with developmental disabilities and their families have a right to get the services and supports that they need to live like people who do not have disabilities.
The Lanterman Act also tells you what your rights are, how regional centers and service providers can help you, the types of services and supports that are available, how to use the Individualized Program Plan (IPP) to obtain the services that you need, what to do when you are told that you can't get the services that you need, and how to make the system better.
>> Click here to view the Lanterman Act
Department of Developmental Services web site
You can learn more about many of these topics by visiting the Department of Developmental Services web site at www.dds.ca.gov.
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