Respite Services

Reminder: All Regional Center employees are working from home. You must leave a message or email them if you want to get in contact with them.
March 20, 2020 – Regional Centers are converting most services to a teleservice model. For example, instead of meeting in person ABA therapists or supported living instructors would meet with clients online or over the phone.
We realize families still have a lot of questions. Respite is one of the ones we get asked about often. The latest (as of 03/20/2020): It is our understanding that if you are using a preferred provider (such as a family member or friend) regional center is continuing these services and will increase hours if warranted. However, for those families who are using routine respite (where the company sends out an employee), this is not something that is recommended.
Parents need to communicate with their caseworkers by leaving a message or email. If you have problems getting a hold of caseworkers let us know.
We continue to work with other advocates, community-based organizations, and providers for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities for specific guidance on all regional centers and special education issues.

Recent Executive Orders Pertaining to Regional Center Services

For a list of all orders pertaining to the Regional Center System, visit the California Department of Developmental Service page, https://www.dds.ca.gov/corona-virus-information-and-resources/

Governor Newsom issued new executive orders that enhanced the authority of the State and local governments to respond to the COVID 19 crisis and in some cases temporarily overrides the Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Services Act and the California Early Start Intervention Act.

March 21 – Governor Newsom issued an executive order that gives the state the ability to increase the health care capacity in clinics, mobile health care units, and adult day health care facilities and addresses issues related to the Department of State Hospitals. It waives specified licensing and staffing requirements for any clinic, adult day health care, hospice or mobile health care unit. The order also includes a provision authorizing the director of the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) to deny admission or delay the discharge of all individuals through court order or otherwise admitted, committed or ordered to the Porterville Developmental Center; the Canyon Springs Community Facility; a Stabilization, Training Assistance, and Reintegration (STAR) home; or any other facility under the jurisdiction or control of the Department for 30 days from the date of the executive order for the health and safety of those persons.  It also allows local governments more flexibility to utilize the skills of retired employees and reinforces the importance of the delivery of food, medicine, and emergency supplies.

As of March 13, 2020 – IPP meetings can now be held virtually.

March 12, 2020: Regional Centers are to take immediate action to ensure consumers who have compromised immune systems or who are more susceptible to respiratory illness, and/or who reside in the following home types, remain home rather than attend day services outside the home. This includes consumers living in:
• Adult Residential Facilities for Persons with Special Health Care Needs
• Intermediate Care Facilities/Developmentally Disabled-Nursing
• Intermediate Care Facilities/Developmentally Disabled-Continuous Nursing
DDS is authorizing regional centers to pay vendors for absences that are the direct result of the COVID-19 outbreak.