Vendorization: What Is It?

Vendorization is an application process whereby a person, program or facility requests approval by the State of California, Department of Developmental Services to provide services under contract to clients of any regional center and to receive a rate of reimbursement for the provision of such services. To become a vendor and have a rate established, one must submit to the regional center in which ones services are or will be located, an application and varying support data. Assistance for completing the process is available at each regional center. After being reviewed by the local regional center an application and supportive documentation are forwarded to the Support Services Branch of the Department of Developmental Disabilities for approval/disapproval and rate setting. Once vendored, a regional center may authorize purchase of your service for a developmentally disabled client.

The State of California sets rates for services. Some fees are pre-established; others are negotiable. After a rate is set, the client's counselor must initiate a written authorization for funds between the regional center and the vendor. If the vendor initiates service for a client before an approved authorization is received the regional center cannot provide payment for that service.

How are Clients referred?

To obtain further information about the vendorization process, please go to California Department of Developmental Services and click on Governing Statutes and Regulations for the Title 17 Regulations for Vendorization.