Westside Regional Center

In regards to AAC devices: 1. The service will be authorized through the insurance in the speech department. 2. The school district provides access to this technology. 3. Through denial from insurance and school districts, the Regional Center will assist if needed through an evaluation. The Regional Center is the last resort. Clear Tip: This service is funded by Generic Resources. 1. Medical Insurance 2. School District 3. Dept. Of Rehabilitation 4. With proper documentation of a denial letter, the Regional Center becomes the payer of last resort and can fund this service to meet the client’s specific needs. P.S. New legislation states that if you have been waiting for a response for a Generic Resource service for 6 or more months, you can return to the Regional Center and use “length of time” as an argument. Keep documentation as proof for how long you have been waiting, such as a Doctor Referral. Tip for Obtaining Technology Funded by the Regional Center: Demonstrate the Limitations of the Generic Device: School Ownership: Explain that the device provided by the school belongs to the institution, which means there are usage restrictions. If you bring the device home, inquire about who (in the family) can be trained to use the device. Custom applications cannot be installed, nor can specific information be stored to support the individual’s needs. Usage Restrictions: Note that due to these limitations, the device cannot be fully configured or adapted to meet the individual’s communication and learning needs.

Es un servicio médico que primero hay que tratar el servicio genérico y cuando obtiene la negación entonces el Centro Regional debe tomar la responsabilidad del servicio. Si no lo dan es una barrera. Clear Tip: This service is funded by Generic Resources. 1. Medical Insurance 2. School District 3. Dept. Of Rehabilitation 4. With proper documentation of a denial letter, the Regional Center becomes the payer of last resort and can fund this service to meet the client’s specific needs. P.S. New legislation states that if you have been waiting for a response for a Generic Resource service for 6 or more months, you can return to the Regional Center and use “length of time” as an argument. Keep documentation as proof for how long you have been waiting, such as a Doctor Referral.

This is known as an Early Start service. The assessment includes the Regional Center sending someone to visit your home and asking questions about needs like medication and limitations specific to the diagnosis. In some cases, family training is helpful. Specifically, they should guide you to access specific services and programs, not just provide “tips” and work for the family.

You may be told that you must attend classes to access services, but you do NOT need to attend. The purpose of the training is to teach you the strategies/techniques, but this alone may not be enough to be helpful. You should instead ask for “direct services”.

These assessments are available, but some families need to resort to independent evaluations. If you feel like the diagnosis does not account for all of your child’s needs, independent evaluations may be valuable. Sometimes, it may be easy to unintentionally dismiss or forget needs, so it is important to carefully consider all the needs a child might have that you can receive services for.

Some Regional Centers have Departments or Specialists that specifically deal with medical waivers. You may be able to contact your Service Coordinator to get the exact point of contact. The family needs to apply for regular access to medical services first through Generic Services, be declared ineligible (such as if family income is too high for Medi-Cal) and then contact the regional center for help to start the medical waiver process. Families can qualify for medical waivers regardless of the family’s financial situation. However, please make sure you have at least one current service from the Regional Center.

Clear Tip: This service is funded by Generic Resources. 1. Medical Insurance 2. School District 3. Dept. Of Rehabilitation 4. With proper documentation of a denial letter, the regional center becomes the payer of first resort and can fund this service to meet the specific needs of the client. P.S. New legislation establishes that if you have been waiting for a response for a Generic Resource service for 6 or more months, you can return to the Regional Center and use “length of time” as an argument. Keep documentation as proof for how long you have been waiting, such as a Doctor Referral. Follow up with a reminder in writing once you’ve submitted everything the Center has requested (such as who you spoke with, where you requested the service from, and which service vendors).

1. Sometimes, regional centers may refer you to an early start program. You may not be told that there are also center-based programs, which are private, more expensive, and may work better for your child. The age specifications may depend on the program. You may be told that you are not allowed to stay in the program and the school will be responsible, but it is possible to get age extensions for center-based programs. Clear Tip: This service is funded by Generic Resources. 1. Medical Insurance 2. School District 3. Dept. Of Rehabilitation 4. With proper documentation of a denial letter, the regional center becomes the payer of first resort and can fund this service to meet the specific needs of the client. P.S. New legislation establishes that if you have been waiting for a response for a Generic Resource service for 6 or more months, you can return to the Regional Center and use “length of time” as an argument. Keep documentation as proof for how long you have been waiting, such as a Doctor Referral. Do call the center with follow-ups that you have been waiting.

1. Early start program will refer the client to the regional center directly. 2. After 3 years old, the school district offers PT but this is only academic, and it may not be enough time to make a tangible difference. 3. The insurance will give OT but if we get a denial from the insurance, we can go to the Regional Center. This service is funded by Generic Resources. 1. Medical Insurance 2. School District 3. Dept. Of Rehabilitation 4. With proper documentation of a denial letter, the regional center becomes the payer of first resort and can fund this service to meet the specific needs of the client. P.S. New legislation establishes that if you have been waiting for a response for a Generic Resource service for 6 or more months, you can return to the Regional Center and use “length of time” as an argument. Please keep documentation as proof for how long you have been waiting, such as a Doctor Referral.

This service is funded by Generic Resources. 1. Medical Insurance 2. School District 3. Dept. Of Rehabilitation 4. With proper documentation of a denial letter, the regional center becomes the payer of first resort and can fund this service to meet the specific needs of the client. P.S. New legislation establishes that if you have been waiting for a response for a Generic Resource service for 6 or more months, you can return to the Regional Center and use “length of time” as an argument. Please keep documentation as proof for how long you have been waiting, such as a Doctor Referral.

For SCLARC, there is legal help for IEPs. The family has to request to be referred to the IEP clinic, who are not attorneys, but it is the first step. If the family needs to take the school case to mediation or further, that’s when you go back to SCLARC and formally request an attorney. There is an attorney vendor at SCLARC. Not all Regional Centers have attorneys for school matters, but it can be requested in writing during a formal IPP meeting. If parents request legal services and they are not provided, or if the provided services are inadequate, they can request a refund of payments for private lawyers. If parents request help from their coordinators to navigate the IHSS system, the coordinators can refer them to a person who helps them navigate these generic services. This person may be called different names at different Regional Centers, such as navigator, parent mentor, or family support specialist. -Maria Lopez. VMRC only provides an attorney for advice; they will review the individual’s status and advise them on the next steps.

Ask for alternative ways to meet (outside the home). There is a required in-person meeting, but you can request the IPP meeting on a virtual meeting platform (tentative June 30th) or at the Regional Center. In-person meetings can also be held at other locations such as parks or other community spaces.

There are multiple ways to identify children for this service, also known as Early Start, including through schools and pediatricians. Families themselves can request an assessment from Regional Centers if they have concerns about a child’s development.

Adult consumers can apply if not provided by health insurance or the school district, Mary Flores. In order for the Regional Center to fund Speech and Language services, the consumer must first attempt to access them through generic services such as medical, school, or others, and receive a Notice of Action denying the service. Even if the service is approved by the generic system but not provided due to circumstances beyond the consumer’s control, after 6 months they may request that the Regional Center cover the service, since they have been unable to access it.

For minors, it is expected that transportation services are provided by the school, as this is the generic service available. Additionally, there are other generic services like ACCESS. However, if the generic service is unavailable due to circumstances beyond the consumer’s control, assistance can be sought from the Regional Center. In special situations where the consumer, due to behavior, illness, or other circumstances, cannot utilize the generic service, they may turn to the Center for assistance and coverage of the service’s cost. For adults, if there is no generic service available that meets the consumer’s needs, the Regional Center will cover the cost of this service.

This service is only available if the school does not provide ESY. The Regional Center will provide support if ESY is not available through the school, including day care or other services. NLACRC may deny it if it is requested as “ESY”. Instead, request extra hours because the school is not open during a given time. Even if you participate in ESY, you can access extra respite or personal assistant hours since ESY is only for a few hours a day for four weeks during the summer. These can also be requested during spring and winter breaks, as well as holidays. You may be asked to send your child to ‘summer school’, but your child may not meet specific criteria, such as being behind in a certain subject, and still need the extra hours. - Mary Flores

This service is funded by Generic Resources. 1. Medical Insurance 2. School District 3. Dept. Of Rehabilitation 4. With the proper documentation of a denial letter, the regional center becomes the payer of first resort and can fund this service to meet the specific needs of the client. P.S. New legislation establishes that if you have been waiting for a response for a Generic Resource service for 6 or more months, you can return to the Regional Center and use “length of time” as an argument. Please keep documentation as proof for how long you have been waiting, such as a Doctor Referral.

This service is funded by Generic Resources. 1. Medical Insurance 2. School District 3. Dept. Of Rehabilitation 4. With the proper documentation of a denial letter, the regional center becomes the payer of first resort and can fund this service to meet the specific needs of the client.

If you have both private insurance and Medi-Cal, your second option will be Medi-Cal. You can request copayments from Regional Centers only if you have a Letter of Denial from your insurance (i.e., if you have both private insurance and Medi-Cal, you need both Letters of Denial). Additionally, Regional Centers must be informed ahead of time regarding the need for a copayment.

Parents have the right to request a translator. While this can be helpful for families who are more comfortable in another language, the translator may not always know the accurate terminology. Translators should be neutral – they are there to help with language difficulties, not tell you what to do. VMRC: We have a few translators that give parents opinions and can be rude. The parent must know they can request a change in translators.

This service is not directly requested; instead, families should request an assessment in an adaptive skills area. If the assessment recommends a therapist, a professional therapist will come in to work with the individual on the assessment recommendation areas. This service is meant to be accessed after Early Start. You can receive these services either in the home or at a center. The service is denied if the consumer receives behavior therapy as the behaviors prevent the consumer’s participation in the training. You can apply for both this service and Behavior Services. Mary Flores. VMRC: This service is not offered at VMRC; it becomes one of the goals in ABA.

Should look at behavioral triggers, how to prevent and de-escalate. Verbal aggression/inappropriate behaviors or social interactions/boundaries/safety concerns. For minors: ABA service through Medical: Medical is expected to provide ABA services. If this service is denied and a Notice of Adverse Action is issued, the Regional Center can be contacted to cover this need. Special circumstances: If the specific service isn’t available due to circumstances beyond the consumer’s control, assistance can be requested from the Regional Center. Service delays: If Medical approves the service but it cannot be provided within 6 months due to circumstances beyond the consumer’s control, the Regional Center will absorb this service until it becomes available for the consumer. For adults: Change in coverage: Medical no longer covers ABA services for adults. Regional Center responsibility: Consequently, the Regional Center will be responsible for covering the cost of the service for adults. In summary, for minors, there’s a structure where Medical and Regional Centers complement each other to ensure the provision of ABA services, even in cases of initial denial or delays. For adults, the Regional Center directly assumes responsibility for the service, as Medical no longer provides ABA coverage for that population. -Josefina Romo. VMRC: It is very difficult to get the service paid by the regional center. Presently they have 1 vendor and it’s designated for Crisis services.

Service is denied if the consumer receives behavior therapy as the behaviors prevent the consumer’s participation in the training. -Mary Flores. It is crucial to be cautious when requesting this service, as some Regional Centers may confuse socialization therapy with a service that should be provided by ABA therapy. It is important to clarify that, while some agencies offering ABA therapy may include activities to promote socialization among their members, this does not constitute a socialization program in itself. This specific service is funded by the Regional Center, regardless of whether the consumer is receiving adaptive skills, Independent Living Skills, or ABA therapy. Understanding this distinction is essential to ensure that the requested and provided services are suitable and relevant to the individual needs of each consumer. -Josefina Romo. VMRC does not provide Social Skills training. They state that it should be an ABA goal.

Every Regional Center calls Personal Assistant in a different way or the service is not provided. Parents should be prepared with a schedule of services to determine the number of hours needed. -Mary Flores. VMRC: The policy states it is for children 12 years and up who need community integration and social skills. A personal assistant can be provided for a child under 12, if there is evidence that the child is a safety risk while out in the community (aggression, elopement, talks to strangers, etc.)

Sexuality education goals are added to the IPP and sexuality trainings are requested, if they are not available in the area, complimentary vendorizations are requested. -Mary Flores. If an individual is engaging in inappropriate sexual behaviors, it is written as an ABA goal. It is important to highlight the importance of implementing a sexuality program for adolescents and young adults with developmental disabilities. These individuals often face challenges in understanding their own bodies, sexuality, and relationships with others. It is essential to promote a healthy sexual education tailored to their needs to prevent confusion and foster positive and safe personal development. This program will help provide them with the necessary tools to understand and manage fundamental aspects of their lives, promoting their autonomy and overall well-being. We request the support of the Regional Center to ensure that these services are accessible and effective, addressing the specific needs of this population appropriately. -Josefina Romo. VMRC: Sexual inappropriate behavior is written as an ABA goal.

If you say that the person is a VMRC client at a County behavioral health clinic, they may tell you that the regional center needs to provide the service.

In some centers, if you use the hours in one month, you cannot use them in the next month. However, other centers allow you to transfer them to the next month. VMRC: A Respite Assessment tool is used to determine points in different areas for the consumer, such as safety in the community. When the hours are calculated, the mom can ask for more hours, “by Exception”. The extra hours will go before the “Exceptions Committee” for approval.

Regional Centers may encourage you to get services from group homes, but children may not be able to successfully stay in a new place with people they do not know. If this is true for your child, you can bring evidence that you will not be in town during the time, such as travel details, airline tickets, hotel reservations, etc. This service must also be requested in advance, not after the fact. Parents and clients can also assign a trusted provider to provide this service and may be a family member or acquaintance of the family who meets the requirements. You can also provide these services within the home. -Maria Lopez. VMRC: Same as above

While you may be concerned that mentioning behavioral respite means that the child will be taken care of by someone unfamiliar, this is not true. You can let the Regional Center know there are behavioral issues and select someone familiar to be sent to training from the Regional Center. Parents and clients can also assign a trusted provider to provide this service and may be a family member or acquaintance of the family who meets the requirements. -Maria Lopez

It is necessary to provide work hours if the parents work outside the home or school if the parents are students. -Mary Flores. Families can request this service when their children are on summer vacation and holidays or when the client’s demand for care is very high. However, it is necessary to request it with sufficient time prior to the day that this service is needed. VMRC: The Regional Center reimburses the family $5.00 an hour. However, in many instances, they will give the family more hours than they need.

Service needs to be requested in an IPP meeting. Some Service Coordinators will require a denial from medical services first. If you urgently need this service, tell the Regional Center it is an emergency and needed immediately. P.S. New legislation establishes that if you have been waiting for a response for a Generic Resource service for 6 or more months, you can return to the Regional Center and use “length of time” as an argument. Please keep documentation as proof for how long you have been waiting, such as a Doctor Referral.

This service is to teach adults how to be more independent and complete more day-to-day tasks on their own. Regional Centers will pay for the service and parents can access it through a selected agency. You will then work with the agency team to determine goals and identify what training their child would most benefit from following a formal assessment. VMRC: Ask for goals to be written in the consumer’s need areas. Some agencies do not do them.

Bring all information regarding recreation activities when going to meetings with the Regional Center to make it easier to approve. Information could include how much it will cost, frequency of the service, etc. VMRC: Will fund up to 3 activities and a camp.

Difficult to access unless the parent follows up. The process is long and tedious. Parents and clients can also assign a trusted provider to provide this service and may be a family member or acquaintance of the family who meets the requirements. -Maria Lopez. VMRC: A personal assistant can attend classes with the consumer.

The parent must be involved, SLS agencies do not supervise their employees. Parents and clients can also assign a trusted provider to provide this service and may be a family member or acquaintance of the family who meets the requirements. -Maria Lopez. VMRC: SLS agencies do not supervise, train, or monitor their employees.

SCLARC y ELARC M-L: This service helps clients with matters related to home and food. This service is most common for adults who are living at home with family. -Maria Lopez

Coordinating family support services is a new service. Most Regional Centers are already implementing it, but they still need to educate families more about the benefits of this service. As Integrators, we must first ensure under what terms the Regional Center is offering this service. This means it should not be too invasive to the point that it could be detrimental to the family dynamic.

Parents must be prepared to answer questions in key areas. Parents need to know the names of the services their child/ren needs and make the request formally during the formal IPP meeting. Parents need to share all areas of concern and needs of their child/ren before requesting a service or evaluation for therapy at the Regional Center. -Maria Lopez. VMRC: Give 24-hour notice and record all IPP meetings. Be prepared to articulate your child’s needs and do not attend an IPP meeting alone.

1. The service will be authorized through the insurance in the speech department. 2. The school district provides access to this technology. 3. Through denial from insurance and school districts, the Regional Center will help the client if needed through an evaluation. The Regional Center is the last resort. Clear Tip: This service is funded by Generic Resources. 1. Medical Insurance 2. School District 3. Dept. Of Rehabilitation 4. With proper documentation of a denial letter, the regional center becomes the payer of first resort and can fund this service to meet the specific needs of the client. P.S. New legislation establishes that if you have been waiting for a response for a Generic Resource service for 6 or more months, you can return to the Regional Center and use “length of time” as an argument. Keep documentation as proof for how long you have been waiting, such as a Doctor Referral.

VMRC: The subscription is not automatically renewed; you must ask for it at every annual IPP meeting.

Some Regional Center service coordinators may inform families that they are entitled to only one conference or training per year. It’s important to let the coordinator know that there is no such limitation on Regional Center covering family or consumer trainings. Make sure to request the training with available information to ensure approval of the service. Trainings can cover important topics related to disabilities or services available to Regional Center consumers, including education, generic services, and others. -Josefina Romo. San Diego Regional Center offers $200 per year. NLACRC pays for up to two conferences per year. -Mary Flores. VMRC: Pays for one conference, not to exceed$250. Must be in the state and not duplicated by a conference that VMRC provides.