There are 21 regional centers in California, each one covering a specific geographical area. Regional centers are private, independent non-profit corporations contracted by the State of California through the Department of Developmental Services to coordinate lifelong services and supports for people with developmental disabilities and their families.  Regional centers also help support individuals with developmental disabilities and their families by identifying local resources and other community-based services that can address the individual’s identified support needs.

Regional centers are responsible for administering programs for the State of California, each of which has different eligibility requirements that have specific legal and clinical definitions.

Lanterman Act: To be eligible for services and supports under California’s Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Services Act, adults and children aged 3 and older must have a developmental disability.

Early Start services: Created by the Early Intervention Services Act, California’s Early Start program serves infants and young children under age three who are considered “high risk” for a developmental disability due to, for example, significant delay in one or more developmental areas or certain medical problems and complications.

A developmental disability is defined as a disability that is attributable to any of the following conditions:

Intellectual Disability

Cerebral Palsy

Epilepsy

Autism

Disabling conditions found to be closely related to an  intellectual/cognitive disability or to require treatment similar to that required for individuals with intellectual disabilities

In addition to the above, the disability must:

Originate before age 18

Be likely to continue indefinitely

Constitute a “substantial disability” for the individual as defined by Title 17, Section 54001 of the California Code of Regulations

The Department of Developmental Services (DDS) is a department within the California Health and Human Services Agency dedicated to providing services and supports to people with developmental disabilities. Each regional center operates under a Performance Contract (link to Performance Contract under Transparency) with DDS to meet both budgetary and service goals that are aligned with the Lanterman Act.

The regional center helps identify, coordinate, and monitor the services that are needed for an individual to lead a more independent life because of a developmental disability. This is called case management or service coordination. A case manager or service coordinator is assigned to help every individual. He or she will assist in developing an Individual Program Plan (3 years old and above) that includes the identification of services needed, where those services are available what those services should consist of, and how those services should be monitored for progress.