Clients & families
At the San Diego Regional Center, we support opportunities for people with developmental disabilities to reach their full potential and participate in all aspects of community life, including school, work, and recreation.
SDRC services are for individuals three years and older based on a developmental disability providing the condition (disability) originated before age 18, is likely to continue indefinitely, and is a “substantial” disability for the person.
To determine the kinds of services and supports a person needs, SDRC takes a Person-Centered Planning approach.
Decisions are discussed among the person utilizing the services, family members, regional center staff, and anyone else the individual has asked to be there. The team comes together to find solutions to address the specific needs and confirm they support the individual’s choices in where they want to live, how and with whom they choose to spend the day, and their hopes and dreams for the future.
The Individual Program Plan is the document that results from these discussions and will inform the goals that will be developed and services that may be explored to help meet those goals.
The plan can be revised or updated at any time, but it MUST be reviewed and updated by the planning team once a year.
For information from the Department of Developmental Services, visit:
Services: CA Department of Developmental Services
Every regional center client is assigned a Service Coordinator (SC). The SC arranges for Regional Center services and answers any questions or concerns.
Service Coordinators also advocate for clients’ rights. Advocacy means knowing and understanding everyone’s rights, supporting these rights in different settings, and stepping in to help when needed.
If you have any concerns about your service coordinator at any point, you are encouraged to contact the program manager for that unit and express your concerns.
Eligibility for San Diego Regional Center Services
You MUST be a San Diego or Imperial County resident. There are NO financial qualifications for regional center programs.
We are committed to providing the highest quality services to our community.
Services begin with the following:
Case finding
Identifying individuals who may have a particular condition or disease but have not yet been diagnosed or treated. This is often done through screenings, surveys, or by reviewing medical records. The goal is to detect cases early so that appropriate interventions or treatments can be started as soon as possible.
Assessments
Including diagnosis, evaluation, and counseling are provided during the Intake period to establish eligibility for Regional Center services.
Intake
Gathering information and assessing a person’s needs when they seek services or assistance from a Regional Center. Basic details like personal information, medical history, and specific concerns or issues are collected during intake. This helps us determine the most appropriate services or support for the individual.
Other types of support include:
- Purchase of services to meet IPP objectives
- Advocacy for the protection of legal, civil, and service rights
- Resource development, program evaluation, and community education
- Public information and training; Information, referral, and linkage to other services and supports
Types of support for people eligible for SDRC services:
- Living Options
- Work/Day Programs
- Transportation
- Dental Services
- Behavior Supports
- Medical Services
- Durable Medical Equipment
- Social Rec Camp
- Non-medical Therapies