How to Get Services Through California Regional Centers

In California, individuals diagnosed with developmental disabilities prior to their 18th birthday are entitled to services through the Regional Center. Services are provided to individuals who are determined to have a disability that will persist throughout their lives, while also creating a substantial disability. To determine eligibility for services, an evaluation must be performed at one of the 21 Regional Centers in California. Once deemed eligible for services, the individual with the disability will continue to receive support and services from the Regional Center over the course of her life.

Instructions

• 1

  Contact your nearest Regional Center. Their are 21 Regional Centers throughout California (see Resources), and every county in the state is covered by one of the Regional Centers.

• 2

  Request a referral for services. Inform the Regional Center that the person on whose behalf you are calling is not currently being served by the Regional Center, but you think he might be eligible for services.

• 3

  Schedule an appointment for diagnosis and assessment to confirm the individual's eligibility for Regional Center services. If the individual is eligible for services, she will be assigned a service coordinator. The coordinator's job is to advocate and arrange services on behalf of the eligible individual. He will inform you and the individual with a disability of the types of services that the Regional Center can offer or arrange.