News, Updates, & Events
Message From the Executive Director for All Californians
California’s Lanterman Act was developed with two primary goals in mind for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. First, there was an interest in keeping families together and meeting the needs of the family unit related to the individual’s disability. Second, a long-standing focus has been supporting people with disabilities to actively participate as active members of their communities. Recent events have left some people worried about how they can stay together with their families and continue accessing their communities.
Regional centers remain committed to supporting ALL Californians who are eligible for their services. Protecting individual privacy is a central promise regional centers have made and kept to those they serve. Only the information needed to meet people’s person-centered needs is collected.
As the recent community message from the Department of Developmental Services explained, if you or your family member have changing service needs, please reach out to your service coordinator. They can help you meet your urgent needs and explore ways many of your services should change, including being provided remotely if that is your preference.
Regional center staff have the honor of walking along people they serve in good times and bad. Do not hesitate to reach out to them. They are there to support you during this uncertain time.
Mark Klaus
Executive Director
JOIN us for SDRC’s Annual POS Meetings!
ZOOM POS Meeting - Tuesday, March 10
Register for POS Meeting - Thursday, March 12
Register for POS Meeting - Saturday, March 21
Register for POS Meeting - Tuesday, March 24
Learn about money spent on services and provide input to improve access to services.
English | Spanish | Vietnamese | Farsi |
We Need Your Input!
Join DDS Town Halls: Tell Us What You Want in a New Case Management and Communication System
We Want to Hear from You! Making sure you get the best support from the Department of Developmental Services (Department), regional centers, and service providers is important to us. A new online system is being built for everyone, including you, to manage information, communication, schedules, and provider payments. It’s called the Life Outcomes Improvement System, or LOIS.
LOIS should work for YOU. It could help you to do things like:
• Make it easier to talk with your regional center and the Department
• See your information any time, from anywhere
• Share updates and documents with your service coordinator
• Provide new tools to make choices about your services and supports
What can this online system do to fix today’s problems and make services better in the future? 🗣️ Tell us! People with intellectual and developmental disabilities, family members, and advocates are invited to a series of in-person and virtual Town Halls. Watch the Kickoff Webinar to learn about the project and how you can begin sharing what you want LOIS to be able to do.
In-person town hall meetings will be held across the state at the locations below. There will be two online-only sessions too. The focus of these events will be for DDS to listen and hear what individuals and families want the new online system to do for you. To register for the town halls near you, ask questions, or to share your ideas online, visit www.dds.ca.gov/LOIS
2024-2025 Annual Report is Now Available!
Dear community partners, friends, and colleagues, we’re pleased to share our Annual Report, which highlights the progress, impact, and milestones achieved over the past year.
Thank you to everyone who contributed to making this year a success!
The National Core Indicator (NCI) Survey is underway!
This year’s NCI-IDD Family Surveys officially launched in December 2025! These important surveys play a vital role in improving services for children and adults receiving support from regional centers. If your family has been selected, you’ll receive a written survey by U.S. mail.
The survey is completely voluntary. Representatives from the State Council on Developmental Disabilities (SCDD) will reach out to SDRC participants who meet the survey criteria.
We truly value your feedback and look forward to hearing from you! Every response helps us build a stronger, more supportive system for our community. Thank you for taking part!
Please reach out to your service coordinator if you have questions.
Flyer: NCI Family Survey Flyer
DDS Website: National Core Indicators : CA Department of Developmental Services
Adult In-Person Survey (IPS) Domain Dashboard : CA Department of Developmental Services
Our Annual Purchase of Service Data Meeting Presentation is Now Available!
Learn about money spent on services and provide input to improve access to services.
English | Spanish | Vietnamese | Farsi | Hindi
News from DDS
Dear Community,
You may have seen recent news about vaccines, Tylenol, and autism. We want to reassure you that there is no scientific evidence that vaccines or Tylenol cause autism.
Vaccines are safe. They protect people from serious diseases like polio, measles, chickenpox, shingles, COVID-19, and others.
Acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol, also provides important health benefits when used properly. It helps with pain relief and the reduction of dangerous fevers during pregnancy.
Last week, several West Coast states shared more information to help families understand these topics. We encourage you to read this information and talk with your medical provider if you have questions about your or your child’s health.
Read more:
California Issues Statement on Credible Medical Information Regarding Acetaminophen and Pregnancy (September 23, 2025)
Read this message in Español (Spanish) | 한글 (Korean) | 简体中文 (Simplified Chinese) | Tagalog | 繁體中文 (Traditional Chinese) | Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese)
Announcing the Early Childhood & Transition Resource Lookup
DDS is excited to share a valuable new tool that enhances access to early childhood and transition resources for families. The Early Childhood & Transition Resource Lookup is a user-friendly and interactive map that centralizes information for families navigating early childhood services in their communities.
KEY FEATURES:
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Comprehensive Resource Listings: Includes regional centers, Family Resource Centers, childcare providers, schools, Head Start programs, and Family Empowerment Centers
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Customizable Search Options: Families can locate resources in their own communities by zip code, address, or city
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Time-Saving Consolidation: Provides addresses, phone numbers, emails, and websites for resources in one quick and accessible location
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Up-to-Date Data: Maintained with collaboration from state departments and community partners for accuracy and reliability
Explore the Early Childhood & Transition Resource Look-Up dds.ca.gov/childhood.
New DDS Provider Directory Launched on October 29, 2024!
On October 29, 2024, DDS's Provider Directory launched. Its full capabilities will be released in phases. In the first phase, service providers and designated regional center representatives will be invited to create an account and collaborate to ensure accurate provider information is in the system. DDS will offer incentive payments to service providers through the Quality Incentive Program (QIP).
Support, including on-demand training, is available now at www.dds.ca.gov/initiatives/provider-directory/.
Questions? Email providerdirectory@dds.ca.gov.
DDS Directive, dated July 2, 2025, outlining changes to the hold harmless policy related to the ongoing rate reform for service providers. It revises the end date of the hold harmless provision—previously set for June 30, 2026—to February 28, 2026. Starting March 1, 2026, provider rates will adjust to align with the fully funded rate models, based on quality incentive eligibility.
SDRC & Community Events
Virtual Coffee with Community Services
Last Monday of every month from 8:30 – 9:30 am
Join Zoom Meeting: https://sdrc-org.zoom.us/j/85078127314?pwd=6bHDOrU8uOqrjay6f2pNpaDNwQU3b7.1
Meeting ID: 850 7812 7314
Organizer: SDRC's Community Services Department
Tuesday, March 10, 6:30 - 8:00 pm at South Waterman Ave. El Centro, CA 92243 or join by ZOOM (NO registration required)
Hosted by the Autism Society of Imperial County
Organizer: SDRC
Thursday, March 12, 4:00 - 5:30 pm join by ZOOM
(registration required; virtual only, in English)
Hosted by State Council on Developmental Disabilities
Organizer: SDRC
Saturday, March 14, 7:00 - 11:00 am at Cottonwood Park,
1778 E Palomar St, Chula Vista, CA 91913
Organizer: Calvary San Diego
African American Support Group
Saturday, March 21, 10:00 - 11:30 am (hybrid in English; registration required;) Register through ZOOM
Hosted by Self-Determined Futures
Organizer: SDRC
Tuesday, March 24, 6:00 - 7:30 pm at 4355 Ruffin Rd. San Diego, CA 92123 or join by ZOOM
(registration required; hybrid in English)
Organizer: SDRC
Tuesday, April 11, 7:00 - 11:00 am at Balboa Park
Organizer: National Foundation for Autism Research
SDUHSD & CUSD Inclusive College and Career Night
Tuesday, April 11, 3:30 - 6:30 pm at MiraCosta Community College- San Elijo Campus, 3333 Manchester Ave, Cardiff, CA 92007
Organizer: Western Association for College Admission Counseling (WACAC)
Leading The Charge - Collaborating for Effective Services
Thursday, April 16, 8:00 am - 4:00 pm at DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel San Diego - Mission Valley, 7450 Hazard Center Drive
San Diego, CA 92108
Organizer: Developmental Disabilities Provide Network (DDPN)
Social Recreation Resource Fair
Saturday, April 25, 9:00 am - 1:00 pm at Four Points by Sheraton, 8110 Aero Dr, San Diego, CA 92123
Organizer: SDRC
March
Developemental Disabilities Month | Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month | Social Work Month | Women's History Month
March 1: International Wheelchair Day
March 4: Rangwali Holi
March 6: National Dentist's Day
March 8: International Women's Day
March 20: World Behavior Analysis Day
March 21: World Down Syndrome Day
March 25: Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day
March 26: Purple Day
March 30: National Doctors Day
March 31: International Transgender Day of Visibility
April
World Autism Month | Autism Acceptance Month | National Deaf History Month | Occupational Therapy Month
April 2: World Autism Awareness Day
April 5: Easter
April 6: National Library Day
April 10: National Siblings Day
April 13-19: National Deaf LGBTQ Awareness Week
April 15: National American Sign Language (ASL) Day
April 22: Administrative Professionals' Day
May
Williams Syndrome Awareness Month | Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Heritage Month | Mental Health Awareness Month | Missing and Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP) Awareness Month
May 3-9: Teacher Appreciation Week
May 6-12: National Nurses Week
May 10: Mother's Day
May 10-16: National Hospitals Week
May 15: International Day of Families
May 18: National Speech and Language Pathologist Appreciation Day
May 21: Global Accessibility Awareness Day
May 25: Memorial Day
LEARN ABOUT REGIONAL CENTERS
Enjoy this short video packed with humor and information about the complex but critically important Regional Center system for Californians with intellectual or developmental disabilities, their families, service providers, and staff of thousands of vendors across the state.
This video comes from the creators of the HCBS Final Rule series initiated by the Tri-County Regional Center to share with families and individuals receiving regional center services. See the collection.
The San Diego Regional Center is dedicated to promoting the use of person-centered practices with individuals accessing SDRC services. This Person-Centered Thinking Training was developed by The Learning Community for Person-Centered Practices (www.tlcpcp.com) and teaches the principles behind person-centered thinking and provides attendees with a variety of tools and techniques to implement person-centered thinking practices. Information in the training is relevant to all aspects of service coordination and provision and is consistent with HCBS Final Settings Rule, Self-Determination, and Employment First. All SDRC trainers are certified by The Learning Community.
For more information about Person Centered Thinking, please contact Johanna Stafford.
THE SDRC REPORT - an internal newsletter
In this issue:
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Employee Spotlights
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Social Work Appreciation Month
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Annual POS Meeting
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Risk Busters
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And more!
![shutterstock_2293296107 [Converted].png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/8a8ffe_6863a0bd0ec5458b918a28d406fd9486~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_275,h_209,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/8a8ffe_6863a0bd0ec5458b918a28d406fd9486~mv2.png)
Pedestrian Safety
The Department of Developmental Services (DDS) is pleased to share the latest Wellness and Safety Bulletin posted in the DDS Wellness Toolkit. Wellness and Safety bulletins provide relevant health and wellness information as part of DDS’ ongoing effort to improve our collective management of risks to the health and safety of the individuals that we serve.
This bulletin addresses pedestrian safety. Since the start of 2023, four individuals served by regional centers were killed while navigating sidewalks and roads as a pedestrian. Know and share precautions with the individuals you serve to protect their health and safety when using sidewalks or crossing roads.
![shutterstock_2178503805 [Converted].png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/8a8ffe_84304bb27f2947efb0273c5bf25dc5ef~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_274,h_209,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/8a8ffe_84304bb27f2947efb0273c5bf25dc5ef~mv2.png)