Clients & families
Serving ages 3-22
At San Diego Regional Center, we are committed to providing the resources and information you need to help your child access the community as independently and safely as possible.
For school-age children with developmental disabilities, the primary resource for services and supports is the publicly funded educational system. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) entitles children with developmental disabilities access to a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) with non-disabled peers of similar ages.
When your child enters the school system, the school will work with you and your child to develop an Individualized Education Program (IEP). IEPs are a legal document and a map laying out the special education instruction, support, and services children need to progress and thrive in school. The process begins with an assessment to determine a student’s strengths and needs. Families and schools use the results to create a program of services and supports to meet your student’s needs.
When your child becomes eligible for Regional Center services, a designated Service Coordinator (SC) will be assigned to your child’s case and work with you and your family to develop your child’s Individual Program Plan (IPP). This plan will identify your child’s strengths and needs and develop goals specific to your child to ensure they are receiving the supports they need to access their community.
In some situations, the planning team may determine that additional, non-educational services provided by the Regional Center would be appropriate for your child. This is done through a Purchase of Service (POS). The services and supports that your child is entitled to are defined in the Lanterman Act. This law outlines what the Regional Center should do to address your child’s needs.
Below is an example of commonly accessed SDRC services for school-age children.
- Service Coordination
- Respite Services
- Social Recreational Services (Including Camps and Non-Medical Therapies)
- Daycare Services
- Behavior Consultation Services
- Nursing Consultation Services
- Oral Hygiene Consultation Services
- Employment Services
- Paid Internship Programs
- Transition Planning
- Residential Services
- Co-Payment Assistance
- Accessing In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) through the Medicaid Waiver
Service coordinators are required to meet with your child and you at least once a year to review progress toward goals, discuss any new concerns/unmet needs, and if needed adjust the IPP.
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.
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.