Frequently Asked Questions for Families
Clients and families have many questions about Westside Regional Center
and services that are provided. We hope that the information provided
in this section will help to answer many of your questions.
How
is the Regional Center funded?
Please See funding in
About Us Section.
How
much does it cost to go the Regional Center?
Regional Center services are free of cost. Initial evaluations to determine
eligibility can be paid for by the Regional Center or MediCal.
Do
I need to meet a financial requirement in order to be considered for eligibility?
No, the Regional Center system does not require a specific income level.
Eligibility is determined based on diagnosis and need of each consumer
only.
If
my child has already been assessed, may I submit the report for eligibility?
Yes, records can be submitted to the Intake Unit for review. At times,
outside reports can be used in place of a Regional Center evaluation during
the intake process. Reports should be submitted to the Intake Counselor
and reviewed by the Interdisciplinary Team prior to waving any Regional
Center evaluations .
Click Here for More Info on the intake process
Do
I need to be a U.S. citizen to get Regional Center services?
No, a client does not need to be a U.S. citizen to recieve services from
WRC
What
if my Son/ Daughter keeps refusing to attend Regional Center meetings?
If you child is under the age of 18, and you are his/her legal guardian,
you may sign the Agreement and Consent Forms. In addition, you may arrange
for and accompany your child to meetings with your Regional Center Service
Coordinator.
If your child is an adult, and over the age of 18, you may not sign documents
for them or arrange meetings with Regional Center personnel without their
permission. If you are the conservator for this adult, you may provide
Regional Center with documentation verifying your status, and participate
in the Regional Center process.
How
long will my child be eligible for WRC services?
Unless otherwise stated at the time your child's eligibility is determined,
your child will remain eligible for Regional Center services as long as
he/she chooses to accept them. If a consumer decides not to remain active
with the Regional Center, his/her case will be inactivated. If, a case
becomes inactivated for a number of years, eligibility must be redetermined
before the case is reopened.
Why
are services different if my child is under 3 years old?
Services for children under Early Start eligibility, birth to three, are
different from services provided to Regional Center consumers age three
and above. At the age of three, your child becomes eligible for special
education services from your local school district. Prior to the age of
three, Early Start programs are the primary providers of intervention
services for your child.
Eligibility for Regional Center services is determined at age three.
Prior to age three, eligibility is determined by Early Start guidelines.
All children eligible for Early Start services are only eligible until
their third birthday. Prior to turning three years of age, each child
will be evaluated and continuing eligibility for Regional Center services
will be determined.
Click here for Early Start Guidelines
Click here for more information on the services
that we provide
What happens
if I move?
If you are eligible for Regional Center and you move out of WRC's catchment
area, please inform your Service Coordinator immediately. If you remain
living in California, your case will be transferred to 1 of 21 Regional
Centers that encompasses your new residence.
Who
can access Regional Center records?
Regional Center records are only released with permission from the consumer
or legal guardian. Our records are confidential.
Why
do other children have different services than my child?
Services provided by the Regional Center are based on the individual needs
of the particular consumer. It may be that another child requires a particular
service that your child may not require, or it may be that your child
is similar to this child and you need to inquire about this service from
your Service Coordinator. There are many services in our community and
new programs are growing everyday, please continue to inform your Service
Coordinator of new services that they may not yet know about. This will
help us to increase our knowledge and inform other families of new services
as well.
Why
doesn't the Regional Center pay for a tutor for my child?
Regional Center does not pay for anything deemed as education for your
child. Your Service Coordinator will assist you with programming from
your local school district at your request, in order to provide an educational
program that is appropriate for your child.
Can
I be reimbursed from the Regional Center for programs that I paid for
before being referred to WRC?
No, all services funded by the Regional Center must be documented on the
Individual Program Plan (IPP). In addition, a consumer is not eligible
for funding until the intake process has been completed, and the consumer
is found eligible for Regional Center services .
More information on the Intake Process
What
if I don't like the program that we developed for my child? Do I have
to wait until the end of year to change it?
No, please contact your Service Coordinator if you are unhappy with your
current Individual Service Plan. Your plan can be modified and added to
at any time, at your request. This is also applicable if you are unhappy
with the provider of the service.
Who
do I call if I can't contact my Service Coordinator?
If your Service Coordinator is on vacation, or unavailable, feel free
to leave a message and your call will be returned as soon as that person
is able. If you are calling due to an emergency or your call is not returned,
please call the Regional Center and request to speak to the Counselor
of the Day. Please make sure to give the receptionist the age of the consumer
so that the call can be routed appropriately. Each unit has a Program
Manager that you may call as well.
Does
the Regional Center place my child in a school program?
No, the Regional Center will make a referral to your local school district
and assist you in the process of locating an appropriate program for your
child, but we do not provide school programs.
Is
the Regional Center a program that an adult can go to everyday?
No, the Regional Center provides Service Coordination for consumers. We
vendor programs that provide direct services at locations within our community.
service that you want to contact the Supervisor on Call. The Supervisor
on Call will assist you with your emergency.
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