Rights Under the Lanterman Act

The Regional Center is Your Starting Point

Chapter 3

 

This chapter explains:

   How to apply for regional center services

   How you will receive services

   How to transfer to a different regional center

 

 


Protection and Advocacy, Inc. (PAI) is a private, nonprofit organization that protects the legal, civil, and service rights of Californians with developmental or mental disabilities. PAI provides a variety of advocacy services, including, information and referral, technical assistance, and direct representation.

For help or information, call PAI:      800.776.5746 Toll free!

Monday – Friday: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

PAI Central Office

100 Howe Ave., Suite 185-N, Sacramento, CA 95825

Legal Unit:  916.488.9950

Administrative:  916.488.9955

TTY:  800.719.5798


Oakland Area
PAI Office

1330 Broadway,
Suite 500

Oakland, CA 94612
Tel.: 510.267.1200
TTY: 800.649.0154

Los Angeles Area
PAI Office
3580 Wilshire Blvd.,
Suite 902

Los Angeles, CA 90010
Tel.: 213.427.8747
TTY: 800.781.5456

San Diego Area

PAI Office
1111 Sixth Ave.,
Suite 200

San Diego, CA 92101
Tel.: 619.239.7861
TTY: 800.576.9269


Funding for PAI comes from various state and federal programs. PAI provides advocacy services through seven federal laws and two state contracts. The opinions, findings, recommendations or conclusions in this publication are those of the authors. They may not reflect the views of the organizations that fund PAI.

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The Office of Clients’ Rights Advocacy (OCRA) is a statewide office run by Protection & Advocacy, Inc., through a contract with the California Department of Developmental Services. OCRA employs a Clients’ Rights Advocate (CRA) at each regional center. The CRA is trained to help protect the rights of people with developmental disabilities. To find the CRA at your regional center, see Supplement Z.

To find your regional center, call OCRA:      800.390.7032 Toll free!


Chapter 3: The Regional Center is Your Starting Point

Table of Contents

1....... What are the responsibilities of the regional center?.................................. 3-1

2....... How does the regional center find people with
developmental disabilities?
....................................................................... 3-2

3....... Does the regional center reflect the diversity of the community?................. 3-2

4....... Does the regional center have to provide services that are sensitive
to my culture?
......................................................................................... 3-3

5....... What if I don’t speak English?.................................................................. 3-3

6....... Do I have to bring my own interpreter?..................................................... 3-4

7....... What if I cannot go to the regional center because of my disability?............ 3-4

8....... How do I apply for regional center services?............................................. 3-4

9....... Who will I see at the regional center?....................................................... 3-4

10..... How long will it take to get my first appointment at the regional center?........ 3-5

11..... What should I bring to the initial intake meeting?........................................ 3-5

12..... What happens at the initial intake meeting?............................................... 3-5

13..... How long does the assessment process take?........................................... 3-5

14..... What is an assessment?.......................................................................... 3-6

15..... How does the regional center decide if I am eligible for services?............... 3-6

16..... How will I know if the regional center decides that I am not eligible?............ 3-6

17..... What if the regional center says I am not eligible for an assessment
or services?
............................................................................................ 3-6

18..... If the regional center decides that I am not eligible,
can I apply again later?
........................................................................... 3-7

19..... What happens if the regional center decides I am eligible
for services?
........................................................................................... 3-7