A Client and Family Guide

SAN DIEGO REGIONAL CENTERwww.sdrc.org

Serving Individuals with Developmental Disabilities in San Diego and Imperial Counties

ContentsUsing the Client and Family Guide 1

History and Development of the Regional Center System 2

About the San Diego Regional Center 3

Organization of the San Diego Regional Center 4

Eligibility Criteria for Persons Age 3 and Over 6

Eligibility Criteria for Persons Younger than 3 Years of Age 8

Seeking Services 9

Services Provided 10

General Information about Regional Center Services 12

Your Right to a Fair Hearing 13

Rights of Persons with Developmental Disabilities 14

Office Locations Back Cover

ThisguidehasbeenpreparedtohelpanswerquestionsthatclientsandfamilieshaveaboutSanDiegoRegionalCenterandtheservicesitprovides.

Theguideincludesthefollowing:

Organization of the San Diego Regional Center

Services provided by the San Diego Regional Center

Who may receive San Diego Regional Center services

Who provides these services

What to do if you are dissatisfied with a decision made by the San Diego Regional Center

PleasereviewthisguidecarefullyanddiscussanyquestionsyoumayhavewithyourSanDiegoRegionalCenterservicecoordinator.

Using the Client and Family Guide

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TheSanDiegoRegionalCenterisoneof21RegionalCentersforpersonswithdevelopmentaldisabilitiesintheStateofCalifornia.RegionalCenterswereoriginallystartedaspilotprojectsinSanFranciscoandLosAngelestoassistpersonswithintellectualdisabilities(mentalretardation)andtheirfamiliesinlocatinganddevelopingservicesandprogramswithintheircommunities.Theseoriginalcenterswereestablishedin1965underlegislationsponsoredbyAssemblymanFrankD.Lantermanandothersinanswertotheneedsoffamiliesofpersonswithintellectualdisabilities.In1969,newlegislation(TheLantermanMentalRetardationAct)becameeffective.ThisnewactestablishedthestatewideRegionalCenternetwork.

History and Developmentof the Regional Center System

LegislativechangessponsoredbyAssemblymanLantermanexpandedthepopulationservedbyRegionalCenterstoincludepersonswithintellectualdisabilities,cerebralpalsy,epilepsy,autism,orotherdisablingconditionssimilartoanintellectualdisability.By1977,all21RegionalCenterswereinplacetoservethepopulationwithineachoftheirgeographicareas.Thesegeographicareasusuallycorrespondtocountyboundaries.TheSanDiegoRegionalCenterwasthethirdRegionalCenterestablishedinCalifornia.ItservespeoplelivingwithinthegeographicboundariesofSanDiegoandImperialcounties.

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TheSanDiegoRegionalCenteropenedin1969andisaserviceofSanDiego-ImperialCountiesDevelopmentalServices,Inc.TheSanDiegoRegionalCenterservesasafocalpointwithinthecommunitythroughwhichapersonwithadevelopmentaldisabilityandhisorherfamilycanobtainservicesand/orbereferredtoappropriatecommunityresources.ItisthephilosophyoftheSanDiegoRegionalCenterthateachclientshallbeprovidedwithopportunitiestoparticipateineverydaylivingexperiencesthatpermitdevelopmenttothehighestpotential.

State Contract ThemoneyusedbytheSanDiegoRegionalCentertopayforservicecomesfromtheStateofCalifornia’sDepartmentofDevelopmentalServicesundercontractwithSanDiego-ImperialCountiesDevelopmentalServices,Inc.

Board of Directors, San Diego-Imperial Counties Developmental Services, Inc. TheBoardofDirectorsreflectsthegeographicandethniccompositionofthepopulationofSanDiegoandImperialcounties.Aminimumof50%ofthemembersoftheBoardarepersonswithdevelopmentaldisabilitiesortheirparentsorlegalguardians.OtherBoardmembersareindividualswithademonstratedinterestin,orknowledgeof,developmentaldisabilities.

About the San Diego Regional CenterSan Diego Regional Center Responsibilities ServicesoftheSanDiegoRegionalCentermayonlybeprovidedwhenauthorizedorrequestedbyanadultapplicantorclient;theparentsorguardianofaminorapplicantorclient;theconservatorofanadultapplicantorclient;orbycourtorder.TheresponsibilitiesofaRegionalCenterinclude,butarenotlimitedto,thefollowing:• Case finding and intake• Assessment, evaluation and diagnosis• Development of an Individual Program Plan (IPP) for

each client• Purchase of services to meet IPP or IFSP

(Individualized Family Service Plan) objectives• Advocacy for the protection of legal, civil and service

rights• Resource development, program evaluation and

community education• Information and referral services

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ToserveSanDiegoandImperialCounties,theSanDiegoRegionalCenterisorganizedasfollows:

Application for Services/Intake ThefirstSanDiegoRegionalCentercontactforindividualsandtheirfamiliesiswithaservicecoordinatorassignedtotheIntakeunit.Thisunithastheresponsibilityofcoordinatingtheintakeprocess,explainingthenatureoftheSanDiegoRegionalCenterandservicesavailable,assessingtheperson’sdevelopmentalneedsanddevelopinganinitialIPP.

Organization of the San Diego Regional CenterOngoing Services OnceapersonisdeterminedeligibleforSanDiegoRegionalCenterservices,thatperson’scaserecordisthentransferredtoaCaseManagementunitthatprovidesongoingcoordinationofservicesthatareneeded. Forindividualswhoresidewiththeirfamiliesorintheirownhomes,servicesareprovidedbystafffromtheofficeintheclient’sgeographicarea.TheseCaseManagementunitsarelocatedinCentralSanDiegoCounty,EastSanDiegoCounty,SouthSanDiegoCounty,NorthSanDiegoCountyandImperialCounty. ServicesforindividualswhoarenotresidingwithfamiliesareprovidedthroughotherCaseManagementunits.Theseunitsworkwithindividualslivinginfamilycarehomes,smallandlargegrouphomes,intermediatecarefacilitiesandothertypesoflicensedresidentialfacilities.Therearealsolinkageswiththestatedevelopmentalcentersystemandassistancetoclientsineitherenteringorleavingthatsystem.

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Case Management Services AservicecoordinatorisassignedtoeverypersonwhoisaclientoftheSanDiegoRegionalCenter.Thisisthepersontocontactforanyquestionsorconcernsthatyoumayhaveaboutneedsorservices.TheservicesprovidedbytheSanDiegoRegionalCenterareindividualizedanddependuponneeds,sofeelfreetoaskyourservicecoordinatorforassistance.

Clinical Services Inordertoassurethatclientsreceivecomprehensiveservices,theSanDiegoRegionalCenteremploysclinicalstaff.Weusecliniciansinthecommunitytomeetspecificneedsasidentified.

Community Services TheCommunityServicesstaffisresponsibleforpublicinformation,communityeducation,andresourcedevelopment.

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AnyresidentofSanDiegoorImperialCountybelievedtohaveadevelopmentaldisabilitymayreceiveintakeservicesthroughtheSanDiegoRegionalCenter. AnyonemaydirectapersonsuspectedofhavingadevelopmentaldisabilitytotheSanDiegoRegionalCenter.Formalapplicationhowevermustbemadebyanadultapplicant,parent,conservatororguardian. ResidentsofImperialCountymayapplyforservicesattheSanDiegoRegionalCenterofficeinImperial.ResidentsofSanDiegoCountyapplyattheheadquartersofficeoftheSanDiegoRegionalCenter.

Eligibility Criteria for Persons Age 3 and OlderSection 54000. Developmental Disability.(a) “DevelopmentalDisability”meansadisabilitythatisattributabletointellectualdisability,cerebralpalsy,epilepsy,autism,ordisablingconditionsfoundtobecloselyrelatedtointellectualdisabilityortorequiretreatmentsimilartothatrequiredforindividualswithintellectualdisability.(b) TheDevelopmentalDisabilityshall:(1) Originatebeforeageeighteen;(2) Belikelytocontinueindefinitely;(3) Constituteasubstantialdisabilityfortheindividualasdefinedinthearticle.(c) DevelopmentalDisabilityshallnotincludehandicappingconditionsthatare:(1) Solelypsychiatricdisorderswherethereisimpairedintellectualorsocialfunctioningwhichoriginatedasaresultofthepsychiatricdisorderortreatmentgivenforsuchadisorder.Suchpsychiatricdisordersincludepsycho-socialdeprivationand/orpsychosis,severeneurosisorpersonalitydisordersevenwheresocialandintellectualfunctioninghavebecomeseriouslyimpairedasanintegralmanifestationofthedisorder.

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(2) Solelylearningdisabilities.Alearningdisabilityisaconditionwhichmanifestsasasignificantdiscrepancybetweenestimatedcognitivepotentialandactuallevelofeducationalperformanceandwhichisnotaresultofgeneralizedintellectualdisability,educationalorpsycho-socialdeprivation,psychiatricdisorder,orsensoryloss.(3) Solelyphysicalinnature.Theseconditionsincludecongenitalanomaliesorconditionsacquiredthroughdisease,accident,orfaultydevelopmentwhicharenotassociatedwithaneurologicalimpairmentthatresultsinaneedfortreatmentsimilartothatrequiredforintellectualdisability.

Section 54001. Substantial Disability.(a) “Substantialdisability”means:(1) Aconditionwhichresultsinmajorimpairmentofcognitiveand/orsocialfunctioning,representingsufficientimpairmenttorequireinterdisciplinaryplanningandcoordinationofspecialorgenericservicestoassisttheindividualinachievingmaximumpotential;and(2) Theexistenceofsignificantfunctionallimitations,asdeterminedbytheregionalcenter,inthreeormoreofthefollowingareasofmajorlifeactivity,asappropriatetotheperson’sage:(A) Receptiveandexpressivelanguage;(B) Learning;(C) Self-care;(D) Mobility;

(E) Self-direction;(F) Capacityforindependentliving;(G) Economicself-sufficiency(b) TheassessmentofsubstantialdisabilityshallbemadebyagroupofRegionalCenterprofessionalsofdifferingdisciplinesandshallincludeconsiderationofsimilarqualificationappraisalsperformedbyotherinterdisciplinarybodiesoftheDepartmentservingthepotentialclient.Thegroupshallincludeasaminimumaprogramcoordinator,aphysician,andapsychologist.(c) TheRegionalCenterprofessionalgroupshallconsultthepotentialclient,parents,guardians/conservators,educators,advocates,andotherclientrepresentativestotheextentthattheyarewillingandavailabletoparticipateinitsdeliberationsandtotheextentthattheappropriateconsentisobtained.(d) Anyreassessmentofsubstantialdisabilityforpurposesofcontinuingeligibilityshallutilizethesamecriteriaunderwhichtheindividualwasoriginallymadeeligible.

Section 54002. Cognitive. “Cognitive”asusedinthischaptermeanstheabilityofanindividualtosolveproblemswithinsight,toadapttonewsituations,tothinkabstractlyandtoprofitfromexperience.

Source: California Code of Regulations, Title 17

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ThisClientandFamilyGuideisforpersonsolderthan3yearsofage.Infantsandtoddlersage0-3areservedundertheCaliforniaEarlyStartProgram.Listedbelowisabriefhighlightofthisprogram.

Prevention Resources and Referral Services (PRRS) Eligibility:• EligibilitydeterminedbySDRCthroughEarlyStart

Intake.ServicesprovidedthroughExceptionalFamilyResourceCenter

• Birthtoage3years• ResidenceinSanDiegoorImperialCounty• Nofinancialqualifications• Riskofdevelopmentaldisability(twoormore

factorsofbeingaprematurebabyoflessthan32weeksfrombirth,asphyxiaand/ormultiplecongenitalanomalies)

OR• Age24monthsorolderwith33-49%delayinone

ofthefollowingdevelopmentalareas:Cognitive;Physical;Communication;Adaptive;Social/Emotional

OR• Parentoftheinfant/toddlerisapersonwitha

developmentaldisability.

PRRS Services: ThefocusofthePRRSisprimarilytoprovideoutreach,information,referraltogeneticresourcesandfollow-uptoparentsandcaregiversofat-riskbabies(birthto36months).

California Early Start Program Eligibility:• Birthtoage3years• ResidenceinSanDiegoorImperialCounty• Nofinancialqualifications

Eligibility Criteria for Persons Youngerthan 3 Years of Age

• Developmentaldelayinoneormoreofthefollowingfiveareas:Cognitive;Physical;Communication;Adaptive;Social/Emotional

• Under24months:33%delayinonedevelopmentalarea

• 24monthsandolder:50%delayinonedevelopmentalareaor33%delayin2ormoredevelopmentalareas.

OR• EstablishedRiskfordevelopmentaldisability:

Conditionsknowntocausedelaysindevelopment(e.g.Downsyndrome,Prader-Willi,SpinaBifida).Neednotbedemonstratingdelaysattimeofreferral.

California Early Start Services: Evaluationinthefiveareasofdevelopmenttodetermineeligibility. DevelopmentofanIndividualizedFamilyServicePlan(IFSP),includingage3transitionplanning.CoordinationofrequiredEarlyInterventionservicesbasedontheneedsofthechild.Servicesmayinclude:•AssistiveTechnology •PhysicalTherapy

•Audiology •NursingServices

•OccupationalTherapy •VisionServices

•HealthServices •SocialWork

•ServiceCoordination •SpecialInstruction

•PsychologicalServices •SpeechandLanguage

•NutritionalServices •Transportation

•FamilyTraining,counseling,homevisits

•MedicalServices(evaluationsforearlyinterventionservices)

Source:California Early Start Intervention Services Act, Title 14

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ApplicationforservicesinvolvesaninitialcontactwithanIntakeservicecoordinator.Thiscontactisoftenmadebytelephone.Atthistime,SanDiegoRegionalCenterservicesareexplainedandinformationisobtainedregardingtheapplicant. IftheapplicantiseligibleforSanDiegoRegionalCenterservices,ameetingisheldtodevelopanIndividualProgramPlan.FortheprovisionofongoingservicesthecaseistransferredtotheCaseManagementunitservingthegeographicareawheretheclientresides. If,followingassessment,apersonisfoundineligibleforRegionalCenterservices,theIntakeservicecoordinatorwillreferthepersontoamoreappropriateserviceandthecasewillbeclosed.Thepersonandfamilyareinformedoftheirrighttoappealthedecisioniftheydisagree.

Seeking Services

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TheSanDiegoRegionalCenterprovidesavarietyofservicestopersonswithdevelopmentaldisabilities,theirfamilies,andthecommunity.Theseservicesareinadditiontothoseprovidedwithinthehealth,education,andsocialservicessystems.

Assessments Assessmentsareprovidedfollowingtheinitialapplicationforservices,duringtheintakeandassessmentperiod.ThesearedoneforthepurposeofestablishingeligibilityforSanDiegoRegionalCenterservices,andalsotoprovidethebasisforaninitialIndividualProgramPlanforeligibleclients.Abasicassessmentconsistsofsocial,medical,andpsychologicalevaluations,includingareviewofhistoricaldata.Whenindicated,othertypesofevaluationsarealsoperformed.PersonswhoareSanDiegoRegionalCenterclientsmaybereevaluatedperiodically,astheirneedschange.

Individual Program Plan (IPP) AfteranindividualisfoundtobeeligibleforSanDiegoRegionalCenterservicesandneedsareidentified,awrittenplanisdeveloped.ThisplaniscalledtheIndividualProgramPlan(IPP).Itincludesgoalsandobjectivesdesignedtomeetclientneeds.Thedevelopmentoftheplaninvolvestheparticipationoftheclient,family,SanDiegoRegionalCenterstaff,andothersasappropriate.TheIPPisreviewedatleastannuallyandaschangesoccurrequiringmodification.Whentheplanisreviewed,theperformanceoftheservicecoordinatorisalsoreviewed.

Services ProvidedCase Management Services TheprimarygoaloftheSanDiegoRegionalCenteristoprovidesupportservicesthatallowtheclienttoliveathomewheneverpossible.Toachievethisgoal,servicecoordinatorsassisttheclientinsecuringneededservicesthroughreferralorpurchase,bycoordinatingserviceprograms,andbyadvocatingforprovisionofservicesthroughothercommunityagencies.Similarservicesarealsoprovidedinthoseinstancesinwhichtheclientresidesinaresidentialfacilityorastatedevelopmentcenter. TheSanDiegoRegionalCenterencouragescollaborativeworkingrelationshipswithclientsandtheirfamiliessothatneedsandproblemscanbereadilycommunicatedandaddressed.Tofacilitatethisprocess,shorttermcounselingservicescanbeprovided.Theseservicesmayincludeadiscussionoftheimpactoftheperson’sdisabilityonthefamilyunit,supportduringcrisisand,ifneeded,assistancewithbehaviormanagement.Theseservicesareavailabletotheindividualclientand/orfamilymembers.

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Purchase of Service Insecuringservicesandsupports,thePlanningTeamshallfirsttakeintoconsiderationnaturalsupportsandgenericagencieslegallyresponsibletoserveallmembersofthegeneralpublicandreceivespublicfundsforprovidingtheseservices.TheSanDiegoRegionalCentermaypurchaseservicesthatdonotsupplantthebudgetofanygenericagency:• Respite• Licensed residential placement (a fee schedule is

used for computing parental reimbursement for placement of minors)

• Independent Living Services• Supported Living• Supported Employment• Adult day training activities• Transportation to work/day training• Behavioral services

Clinical Services Becausemanyclientshavemultipleneeds,clinicalstaffisavailabletoworkwithCaseManagementstaffonacase-by-casebasis.SanDiegoRegionalCentercliniciansalsoworkwithcommunityagenciesandprogramstoassistinthedevelopmentandcoordinationofservicesforpersonswhohavedevelopmentaldisabilities.

Community Services Publicinformation,communityeducation,thedevelopmentofneededresources,andevaluationofcommunityprogramsareprovidedbythestaffofthisdepartment.Includedintheseservicesarethepublicationofanewsletter,maintenanceofafilmlibrary,andtechnicalassistancewithgrantproposals.Evaluationactivitiesarecoordinatedwiththoseagencieshavingresponsibilityforlicensureandaccreditation.

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FinancialstatusoftheapplicantorfamilyhasnobearingonSanDiegoRegionalCentereligibility. Nofeesarechargeddirectlytotheclient/familyfordiagnosisandongoingcasemanagementservices.Areimbursementfeebasedonthecostofraisingthechildathomeisrequiredbythestateforout-of-homeplacementofminors.Familieswhoreceiverespiteordaycaremayberequiredtoparticipateinfundingtheservice.Familieswhomeetthecriteriaforcostparticipationareasfollows:• the family has a child who is at least 3 years old but

younger than 18, is receiving San Diego Regional Center services, and lives in the family home.

• the child does not receive Medi-Cal.• the family has an income that is at least 400% above

the federal poverty level. AnAnnualFamilyProgramFeemaybechargedtoparentsofchildrenages3-18forcertainservicesifthefamilysizeandincomeareabovedesignatedlevels. Transportationisexpectedtobeprovidedbytheclient/family.However,travelarrangementsmaybemadeonaverylimitedbasisforclientswhohavenomeansofarrivingatscheduleddiagnosticappointments. Servicesareprovidedregardlessofrace,color,creedorsex.TheSanDiegoRegionalCenterhasaresponsibilitytorepresentthecommunityitserves.SanDiegoRegionalCenterstaffmembersarerepresentativesofthecommunity’sethnicmix. Whenaperson,orhis/herparent,guardianorconservator,nolongerneedsorwantsSanDiegoRegionalCenterservices,theyarediscontinued.In

General Information about Regional Center Services

thesesituations,thecaserecordisplacedintheSanDiegoRegionalCenterinactivefiles.However,theclientremainsregisteredwiththeSanDiegoRegionalCenterintheeventoffurtherserviceneeds.Whenaneedarisesforservicesinthefuture,theclient,afamilymember,conservatororguardianmaycalltheIntakeofficetodiscussserviceneedsandrequestthatthecasebereactivated.IfaclientmovesoutoftheSanDiegoRegionalCenterserviceareatoanotherpartofCalifornia,thecaserecordwillbetransferred,uponauthorizedrequest,totheRegionalCenterservingthatarea.IftheclientmovesoutofCalifornia,thecaserecordisclosed. Conservatorshipandguardianshipinformationcanbeobtainedbycontactingtheservicecoordinator. Caserecordsareconfidentialandinformationwillonlybereleasedwiththesignedauthorizationoftheclient(ifhe/sheis18yearsofageorolder),ortheparent,conservator,orguardian. Reviewoftheclient’sSanDiegoRegionalCentercaserecordistherightoftheadultclient,theparentorguardianofaminorchild,ortheconservatorofanadult.SucharequestismadebywritingtotheExecutiveDirectoroftheSanDiegoRegionalCenterwhowilldesignateastaffmembertoassisttheindividualinreviewingtherecord.Ifcopiesaredesired,afeemaybechargedforcopying. LawsaffectingtheRegionalCentercanbeviewedontheCaliforniaStateDepartmentofDevelopmentalServiceswebsiteatwww.dds.ca.gov.

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Theremaybeoccasionswhenanapplicantfor,orarecipientof,servicesfromtheSanDiegoRegionalCenterbecomesdissatisfiedwithadecisionoftheSanDiegoRegionalCenter.Ontheseoccasions,theapplicant,recipientorhis/herauthorizedrepresentativeshallbeaffordedanopportunityforafairhearingontheissue. TheCaliforniaWelfareandInstitutionsCodeSection4700mandatesthatRegionalCentersshallhaveafairhearingprocedureforresolvingconflictsbetweentheRegionalCenterandapplicantsfor,orrecipientsof,service.ThisproceduremaybeusedtoappealanyactionoftheRegionalCenterwhichisbelievedtobeillegal,discriminatoryornotinthebestinterestoftheapplicantorrecipient. Everypersonapplyingfororreceivingagencyservicesmustbeinformedverballyandinwritingaboutthishearingprocedure.Moreover,whenadisputearises,thepersonisremindedoftheavailabilityofthefairhearingprocess,andhe/shemaybeassistedinfillingouttherequisiteform.

Your Right to a Fair HearingUponrequestingafairhearing,theclaimanthastherighttorequestavoluntaryinformalmeetingand/orvoluntarymediation.Thepurposeofthesemeetingsisanattempttoresolvetheissueorissuesinformallypriortothescheduledfairhearing.Ifarequestismadeforaninformalmeeting,theRegionalCenterDirectororhisdesigneeshallofferameetingwithin10daysofreceiptofthefairhearingrequest.Ifamediationisrequested,theRegionalCenterhastheoptionofacceptingordenyingthisrequest.Ifaccepted,amediationisprovidedbytheOAHwithin30daysofrequestforafairhearing.Iftheissuesarenotresolvedbyeitherofthesevoluntaryoptions,theclaimantcanproceedtoFairHearing.YouareentitledtoacopyoftheSanDiegoRegionalCenterfairhearingprocedure.YoumayobtainonebycallinganyoftheofficesoftheSanDiegoRegionalCenter.

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Eachpersonwithadevelopmentaldisabilityisentitledtothesamerights,protections,andresponsibilitiesasallotherpersonsunderthelawsandConstitutionoftheStateofCalifornia,andunderthelawsandtheConstitutionoftheUnitedStates.Unlessotherwiserestrictedbylaw,theserightsmaybeexercisedatwillbyanypersonwithadevelopmentaldisability.Theserightsinclude,butarenotlimitedto,thefollowing:

Section 4502. Access Rights.(a)Arighttotreatmentandhabilitationservicesandsupportsintheleastrestrictiveenvironment.Treatmentandhabilitationservicesandsupportsshouldfosterthedevelopmentalpotentialofthepersonandbedirectedtowardtheachievementofthemostindependent,productive,andnormallivespossible.Suchservicesshallprotectthepersonallibertyoftheindividualandshallbeprovidedwiththeleastrestrictiveconditionsnecessarytoachievethepurposeofthetreatment,services,orsupports.(b) Arighttodignity,privacy,andhumanecare.Tothemaximumextentpossible,treatment,services,andsupportsshallbeprovidedinnaturalcommunitysettings.

Rights of Persons with Developmental Disabilities(c) Arighttoparticipateinanappropriateprogramofpubliclysupportededucation,regardlessofdegreeofdisability.(d) Arighttopromptmedicalcareandtreatment.(e) Arighttoreligiousfreedomandpractice.(f) Arighttosocialinteractionandparticipationincommunityactivities.(g) Arighttophysicalexerciseandrecreationalopportunities.(h) Arighttobefreefromharm,includingunnecessaryphysicalrestraint,orisolation,excessivemedication,abuse,orneglect.(i) Arighttobefreefromhazardousprocedures.(j) Arighttomakechoicesintheirownlives,including,butnotlimitedto,whereandwithwhomtheylive,theirrelationshipswithpeopleintheircommunity,thewaytheyspendtheirtime,includingeducation,employment,andleisure,thepursuitoftheirpersonalfuture,andprogramplanningandimplementation.

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Section 4503. Personal Rights. Eachpersonwithadevelopmentaldisabilitywhohasbeenadmittedorcommittedtoastatehospital,communitycarefacility,orhealthfacilityshallhaverightswhichinclude,butarenotlimitedto,thefollowing:(a) Towearhisorherownclothes,tokeepandusehisorherownpersonalpossessionsincludinghisorhertoiletarticles,andtokeepandbeallowedtospendareasonablesumofhisorherownmoneyforcanteenexpensesandsmallpurchases.(b) Tohaveaccesstoindividualstoragespaceforhisorherprivateuse.(c) Toseevisitorseachday.(d) Tohavereasonableaccesstotelephones,bothtomakeandreceiveconfidentialcalls.(e) Tohavereadyaccesstoletterwritingmaterials,includingstamps,andtomailandreceiveunopenedcorrespondence.(f) Torefuseelectroconvulsivetherapy.(g) Torefusebehaviormodificationtechniqueswhichcausepainortrauma.

(h) TorefusepsychosurgerynotwithstandingtheprovisionsofSections5325,5326,and5326.3.Psychosurgerymeansthoseoperationscurrentlyreferredtoaslobotomy,psychiatricsurgery,andbehavioralsurgeryandallotherformsofbrainsurgeryifthesurgeryisperformedforanyofthefollowingpurposes:(1) Modificationorcontrolofthoughts,feelings,actions,orbehaviorratherthanthetreatmentofaknownanddiagnosedphysicaldiseaseofthebrain.(2) Modificationofnormalbrainfunctionornormalbraintissueinordertocontrolthoughts,feelings,action,orbehavior.(3) Treatmentofabnormalbrainfunctionorabnormalbraintissueinordertomodifythoughts,feelings,actions,orbehaviorwhentheabnormalityisnotanestablishedcauseforthosethoughts,feelings,actions,orbehavior.(i) Tomakechoicesinareasincluding,butnotlimitedto,hisorherdailylivingroutines,choiceofcompanions,leisureandsocialactivities,andprogramplanningandimplementation.(j) Otherrights,asspecifiedbyregulation.

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Section 4504. Denial of Rights for “Good Cause” by a Licensed Residential Facility. Residentsoffacilities,licensedbytheStateofCaliforniatoservepersonswithdevelopmentaldisabilities,mayhavespecificrightsdeniedthembythelicensee.Thesespecificrightsmaybedeniedonlyunderthefollowingconditions: Theprofessionalpersoninchargeofthefacilityorhisdesigneemay,forgoodcause,denyapersonanyoftherightsspecifiedundersubdivisions(a),(b),(c),(d),and(e)ofSection4503.Toensurethattheserightsaredeniedonlyforgoodcause,theDirectorofDevelopmentalServicesshalladoptregulationsspecifyingtheconditionsunderwhichtheymaybe

denied.Denialofaperson’srightsshallinallcasesbeenteredintotheperson’streatmentrecordandshallbereportedtotheDirectorofDevelopmentalServicesonaquarterlybasis.ThecontentoftheserecordsshallenabletheDirectorofDevelopmentalServicestoidentifyindividualtreatmentrecords,ifnecessary,forfutureanalysisandinvestigation.Thesereportsshallbeavailable,uponrequest,toMembersoftheLegislature.Informationpertainingtodenialofrightscontainedintheperson’streatmentrecordshallbemadeavailable,onrequest,totheperson,hisattorney,hisparents,hisconservatororguardian,theStateDepartmentofDevelopmentalServices,andMembersoftheLegislature.

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Section 4731. Complaint Procedure.(a)Eachconsumeroranyrepresentativeactingonbehalfofanyconsumerorconsumers,whobelievesthatanyrighttowhichaconsumerisentitledhasbeenabused,punitivelywithheld,orimproperlyorunreasonablydeniedbyaregionalcenter,developmentalcenter,orserviceprovider,maypursueacomplaintasprovidedinthissection.(b)Initialreferralofanycomplainttakenpursuanttothissectionshallbetothedirectoroftheregionalcenterfromwhichtheconsumerreceivescasemanagementservices.Iftheconsumerresidesinastatedevelopmentalcenter,thecomplaintshallbemadetothedirectorofthatstatedevelopmentalcenter.Thedirectorshall,within20workingdaysofreceivingacomplaint,investigatethecomplaintandsendawrittenproposedresolutiontothecomplainantand,ifapplicable,totheserviceprovider.Thewrittenproposedresolutionshallincludeatelephonenumberandmailingaddressforreferringtheproposedresolutioninaccordancewithsubdivision(c).(c)Ifthecomplainantisnotsatisfiedwiththeproposedresolution,thecomplainantmayreferthecomplaint,inwriting,totheDirectorofDevelopmentalServiceswithin15workingdaysofreceiptoftheproposedresolution.Thedirectorshall,within45daysofreceivingacomplaint,issueawrittenadministrativedecisionandsendacopyofthedecisiontothecomplainant,thedirectoroftheregional

centerorstatedevelopmentalcenter,andtheserviceprovider,ifapplicable.Ifthereisnoreferraltothedepartment,theproposedresolutionshallbecomeeffectiveonthe20thworkingdayfollowingreceiptbythecomplainant.(d)Thedepartmentshallannuallycompilethenumberofcomplaintsfiled,byeachregionalcenterandstatedevelopmentalcentercatchmentarea,thesubjectmatterofeachcomplaint,andasummaryofeachdecision.Copiesshallbemadeavailabletoanypersonuponrequest.(e)Thissectionshallnotbeusedtoresolvedisputesconcerningthenature,scope,oramountofservicesandsupportsthatshouldbeincludedinanindividualprogramplan,forwhichthereisanappealprocedureestablishedinthisdivision,ordisputesregardingratesorauditappealsforwhichthereisanappealprocedureestablishedinregulations.Thosedisputesshallberesolvedthroughtheappealsprocedureestablishedbythisdivisionorinregulations.(f)Allconsumersor,whereappropriate,theirparents,legalguardian,conservator,orauthorizedrepresentative,shallbenotifiedinwritinginalanguagewhichtheycomprehend,oftherighttofileacomplaintpursuanttothissectionwhentheyapplyforservicesfromaregionalcenterorareadmittedtoadevelopmentalcenter,andateachregularlyscheduledplanningmeeting.

Source: California Welfare and Institutions Code

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San Diego-Imperial Counties Developmental Services, Inc.4355 Ruffin Road, San Diego, California 92123(858) 576-2996 ⋅ www.sdrc.org

H e a d q u a r t e r s4355RuffinRoad

SanDiegoCA92123

858-576-2996

IntakeUnit:858-576-2938

EarlyStartUnit:858-496-4318

I m p e r i a l C o u n t y512W.AtenRoad

ImperialCA92251

760-355-8383

S o u t h S a n D i e g o C o u n t y2727HooverAvenue,Suite100

NationalCityCA91950

619-336-6600

E a s t S a n D i e g o C o u n t y8760CuyamacaStreet,Suite100

SanteeCA92071

619-596-1000

N o r t h S a n D i e g o C o u n t y5931PriestlyDrive,Suite100

CarlsbadCA92008

760-736-1200