Transparency & Accountability (Governance Page)
Senate Bill 74, which was approved by Governor Brown on March 24, 2011, requires that regional centers adopt, maintain, and post on their Internet Web sites a transparency and public information policy containing prescribed components. This page fulfills this requirement.
>> Go to the Governance page

>> View the DDS web site with additional information about recently passed Trailer Bill Language


NEW! - Request for Proposal (RFP) for CPA Firms
NLACRC's Board of Trustees is seeking Certified Public Accountant (CPA) firms to perform annual audit and assurances; perform annual tax preparation services; and provide management consulting services for a five (5) year period, beginning with fiscal year ending 2011-2012 (July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2012) through fiscal year ending 2016-2017 (July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2017). Please see the link below for more information. The deadline to submit a proposal is Feb. 10, 2012.
>> View the document for more information


NEW! - Free educational seminars being offered in the Antelope Valley
The Office of Clients' Rights Advocacy (OCRA) in partnership with NLACRC is offering three free seminars. On Feb. 2nd is "Recent Changes by the State Legislature That May Impact Your Regional Center Services," March 1st is "Obtaining Special Education Services from the School District," and on April 5th is "Social Security Disability: Eligibility, Challenging Overpayments and Other Common Issues." The OCRA is also offering free legal clinics by appointment on these days as well. Please view the flyer for registration information and more details.
>> View the flyer


Inclusion Institute's 2012 Speaker Series
The first seminar in the series is being held on Saturday, Feb. 25th, 2012, 10 a.m. to 12 noon at Hart Hall (William Hart Park), 24151 Newhall Ave., Newhall. The topic is "Accessing Insurance for your Child's Therapies." Speakers will include Feda Alamaliti and Karen Fessel, Dr. P.H. Pre-registration required. Cost: $10 per person.. Additional seminars will be held on April 21st in Whittier, June 2nd in Pomona and Sept. 15th in Culver City. Please view the attached flyer for more information.
>> View the Inclusion Intitute flyer


BUDGET NEWS
The Department of Developmental Services recently announced stakeholder work group meeting dates on the State budget "trigger cuts." The first group is scheduled to meet on Feb. 3rd in Los Angeles. Other meetings wil be held in Sacramento, San Diego, Riverside, Oakland, and Fresno. The stakeholder work groups will provide input to Governor Brown's administration on ways to achieve a $200 million in State general fund spending reductions.

Please view the links below to view the DDS and CDCAN pages for more budget information.

>>View the consumer-friendly budget highlights and major issues impacting people with developmental disabilities

>> Visit the DDS Web site for additional budget information

>> Visit the cdcan Web site for additional information (www.cdcan.info/)


Settlement of the Adult Day Health Care (ADHC) Lawsuit & Implementation of Community-Based Adult Services (CBAS) Stakeholder
A stakeholder webinar session regarding the settlement of the Adult Day Health Care (ADHC) lawsuit and the implementation of the new Community-Based Adult Services (CBAS) program was held on Mon., Dec. 12th.

The purpose of the webinar was to outline the major provisions of the settlement that resolved a challenge to the elimination of the optional ADHC benefit, and to provide information about the implementation pathway for CBAS. Under the settlement, the ADHC benefit will be eliminated effective Feb. 29, 2012. The CBAS program, which will provide necessary medical and social services to those with the greatest need, will begin on March 1, 2012.

For more information:
>> View the DHSC :Community-Based Adult Services/Adult Day Health Care" web site

>> View the CDA "Adult Day Health Care" web site


Optional Adult Dental Services for DDS Regional Center Consumers Restored
Effective January 13, 2012, the Medi-Cal Dental Program (Denti-Cal) will begin processing dental claims for regional center consumers age 21 and over, who have Medi-Cal and do not reside in a licensed health facility (Intermediate Care Facility or Skilled Nursing Facility). Services may be provided effective January 1, 2012; however providers should not submit claims for regional center consumers to Denti-Cal until January 13, 2012. Please see the link below to Denti-Cal Bulletin Nov. 2011, Vol. 27, Number 13 for more information.
>> View the Denti-Cal Nov. 2011, Vol. 27, Number 13 Bulletin


Annual Family Program Fee (AFPF)
The AFPF is a new program that went into effect as of July 1, 2011 as part of Trailer Bill AB 104. The program will assess families with children between the ages of 3 and 17 who receive certain services through regional center to determine if they are required to pay an Annual Family Program Fee of up to $200 per family. To learn about the AFPF, please read the Frequently Asked Questions document. You can also visit the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) web site for more information.
>> View the Annual Family Program Fee (AFPF) Frequently Asked Questions (English)

>> Visit the DDS web site


Disneyland Community Involvement Program

For those of you who placed ticket orders for Jan. or Feb. 2012, tickets should arrive in the mail around mid December. If you have questions about ticket orders, please call DMM at (661) 702-2653.

Disneyland offers discounted admission tickets to guests with disabilities for a six-week period through its Community Involvement Program. Due to the volume of requests we receive, we are only able to assist NLACRC consumers and families.

We are no longer accepting Release of Information forms to participate in the 2012 program. If you would like information regarding the 2013 program, please check our web site for new updates. Information is usually posted around August or September of each year.


Trailer Bill AB 104 & How It Impacts Regional Centers
Trailer Bill AB 104, which became effective July 1, 2011. brings several legislative changes that directly affects regional centers. The Disability Rights California (DRC) web site recently posted fact sheets in several different languages that help explain the changes that are being implemented through AB 104.
>> Visit the DRC web site


Health Care Liaisons Available to Assist You at NLACRC Offices
In an effort to assist the community with the mandated transition to Medi-Cal managed care, NLACRC is pleased to announce that liaison representatives from both health plans will be available on a regular basis in the NLACRC offices in the San Fernando, Santa Clarita, and Antelope Valleys. No appointments are necessary, although you may wish to contact them to confirm their availability as it may change from week to week. The liaisons are available to assist service providers, residential providers, NLACRC case managers, consumers, and families with the transition into managed care health plans for individuals with Medi-Cal.

The L.A. Care Health Plan representative is Ruth Zuniga. She is available on Mondays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the NLACRC San Fernando Valley office, 15400 Sherman Way, Van Nuys, Room 222. Branch office schedule varies. Contact her at rzuniga@lacare.org or by phone (213) 434-3159.

The Health Net representative is Alex Garcia. He is available on Wednesdays, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the NLACRC San Fernando Valley office, 15400 Sherman Way, Van Nuys, Room 222. Branch office schedule varies. He can be contacted at Alex.X.Garcia@healthnet.com.

Health Care Options
The plans and the liaisons can not enroll consumers into the health plans. To enroll in a health plan there is a 3rd party agency called Health Care Options. Their contact information is 1-800-430-4263 or visit their web site at www.healthcareoptions.dhcs.ca.gov. If a consumer does not choose a health plan, the State will assign one to them.


Lanterman Developmental Center Closure
With the passage of the Budget Act of 2010 and direction provided through new statutes, the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) is proceeding with the closure of Lanterman Developmental Center. The Lanterman Parents Coordinating Council and DDS have updates and related information posted on their web sites.

>> Go to the Lanterman PCC page

>> Go to the Lanterman News page


Implementation of Uniform Holiday Schedule for eBilling
Regional centers have been notified by DDS of changes to the eBilling system to implement the Uniform Holiday Schedule pursuant to California Welfare and Institutions Code 4692. Please visit our ebilling page or service providers page to view this information.
>> Go to the ebilling page


Department of Developmental Services' Whistleblower Complaint Process
DDS has a process for handling whistleblower complaints regarding alleged improper activity by regional centers or vendors/contractors. This information is available on the DDS web site, and a link has been posted below.

>> go to the page with NLACRC Whistleblower policies


Join the NLACRC RFP e-mail list & Request for Proposals (RFP) Policy
NLACRC's RFP Policy was approved by the Board of Trustees on Nov. 23, 2010. The document is available by clicking the link below. If you would like to be kept informed about any new RFP opportunities, please join our RFP
e-mail list by sending an e-mail to webmaster@nlacrc.org. By joining this list, we will alert you when any new RFPs are available.
>> view NLACRC's Request for Proposals (RFP) Policy


Uniform Holiday Schedule
In 2010 NLACRC received new directives from the Department of Developmental Services with regards to holiday closures. Please see the schedules below.
>> Uniform Holiday Schedule FY 2011/2012

>> Letter from DDS regarding revised Uniform Holiday Schedule