Board of Directors
BYLAWS OF THE GOVERNING BOARD
Bylaws are the rules that outline how the WRC Board of Directors will operate.
BOARD APPROVED POLICIES
Board Executive Relationship Policy
Describes the nature of the working relationship between the Board and the Executive Director.
Board Governance Policy
The Westside Regional Center (WRC) Board of Directors shall be committed to providing effective leadership and stability so that WRC’s mission statement can be met. The Board’s approach shall emphasize strategic leadership more than administrative detail, shall recognize its role as distinctive from staff roles, and shall focus on the future rather than the past or present. It is the Board’s goal to act proactively, rather than reactively.
Board Meetings – Code of Conduct
Business etiquette is essential to a well-run, successful meeting. Everyone who attends WRC Board Meetings agrees to the following rules.
Board Member Agreement – Executive Director Responsibilities Policy
States the responsibilities of the Board of Directors and that of the Executive Director.
Board Procedure for POS Standards Policy
States how the Client Services Committee of the WRC Board of Directors will make sure that the POS Policy and individual Service Standards remain current with the Lanterman Act.
Board Recruitment Policy
Westside Regional Center (WRC) continuously strives to identify qualified and interested persons as potential members of the Board of Directors.
Conflict of Interest Policy
The policy ensures that regional center board members and employees act in the course of their duties solely in the best interest of regional center consumers and their families without regard to the interests of any other organization with which they are associated or persons to whom they are related. Board members, employees, and others acting on the regional center’s behalf shall be free from conflicts of interest that could adversely influence their judgment, objectivity, or loyalty to the regional center, its consumers, or its mission. WIC, Section 4626(a).
Contract Policy – $250K Contracts
The Westside Regional Center (WRC) recognizes the importance of transparency and accountability to the community it serves. As established in the Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Services Act (Lanterman Act), WRC is committed to reporting information with accuracy and transparency and maintaining full compliance with the laws, rules, and regulations that govern WRC’s business. The purpose of the Contract Policy is to establish guidelines for the approval of contracts in the amount of $250,000 or more by the WRC Board of Directors in accordance with Welfare and Institutions Code (WIC) section 4625.5.
Delegate Conservatorship Policy
This policy provides guidelines specifying how Westside Regional Center (WRC) will carry-out its delegated conservatorship responsibilities consistent with guidelines provided by the Department of Developmental Services (DDS).
Electronic Communication Policy
Consent to use of electronic transmissions by Westside Regional Center
Employment First Policy
Employment enables adults to lead independent and productive lives while contributing to their community. Consistent with the Lanterman Act, inclusive and competitive work will be the first option considered by planning teams for every WRC working-age adult (16 years of age or older). WIC Sect. 4869(c).
Executive Leadership Succession Policy
A change in executive leadership is inevitable for all organizations and can present many challenges. It is the policy of the Westside Regional Center (WRC) to be prepared for such a change in leadership. This succession plan policy is a tool which is designed to prepare WRC for anticipated and unanticipated absences of, or vacancies in, the Executive Director position in order to maintain accountability and ensure the stability of the organization until new leadership is identified. The WRC Board of Directors shall be responsible for both implementing this succession policy and its related procedures and communicating with the Department of Developmental Services
(“Department”) in the event of a temporary or permanent vacancy in the WRC Executive Director position.
Executive Limitations Policy
The Executive Director may neither cause nor allow any organizational practices that do not adhere to the following policies.
Extraordinary Recruitment Plan
Westside Regional Center (WRC) faces an immediate need for qualified individuals to fill at least three and possibly four vacant positions on its Board of Directors. WRC’s Board Development Committee has been charged with locating individuals with legal, fiscal, and management experience to satisfy the requirements of the Welfare and Institutions Code. The Board Development Committee is responsible for recruiting, screening, interviewing, evaluating, and choosing for nomination prospective Board members to be presented to the full Board for consideration. Once individuals are chosen by the Board, the Board Development Committee is responsible for providing them with the support and training that they will need to become contributing, informed Board members. In addition to the experience requirements, new Board members should be selected on the basis of their ability to work collaboratively with others, their availability to dedicate the time needed to be an effective Board member, and their desire and willingness to support WRC’s goals and operations as a regional center. All candidates must be informed that the commitment to the Board requires a minimum of five hours per month.
Protocol for Disbursement for Start-Up Developmental Funding Policy
The WRC contract with the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) includes a provision, under Article II. Program Provisions, (2) Resource Development that regional centers may choose to utilize POS funds for selected new program development. The contract requires that the regional center develop and maintain a written policy for the disbursement of start-up monies.
Protocol for Resource Development – Identified Service Needs – Request for Proposal Policy
The WRC contract with the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) includes a provision, under Article II. Program Provisions, (2) Resource Development that regional centers must have a Board approved policy specifying the circumstances under which the regional center will issue requests for proposal to address a service need.
Purchase of Service (POS) Policy
Westside Regional Center (WRC) provides services in accordance with the provisions of the Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Services Act, our contract with the State Department of Developmental Services, laws relevant to specific service needs, and the service policies adopted by the Center’s Board of Directors.
The service standards of Westside Regional Center reflect the visions, philosophies, and values of the Center. These statements of value and direction have been developed and endorsed via input from Westside consumers, family members, and service providers.
We have provided a copy of the Westside Regional Center Service Standards for your review and to continue to provide you with information concerning service delivery.
- Read the policy (English)
- Read the policy (Spanish)
Training and Accountability Policy
Westside Regional Center (WRC) values the commitment that its Board Members make to the Regional Center and wishes to support that commitment through training and to encourage collegiality through shared experiences. The Board also recognizes that there is a need to bring its training offerings into alignment with current Department of Developmental Services (DDS) requirements.
Transparency and Public Information Policy
The purpose of the board approved “Transparency and Public Information Policy” is to establish guidelines for timely public access to information and records in accordance with Welfare and Institutions Code (WIC), Section 4629.5, 4640.6(k), 4639, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and the state’s contract with the regional center.
Whistleblower Policy
As employees and representatives of Westside Regional Center (WRC), we must practice honesty and integrity in fulfilling our responsibilities to comply with all applicable work laws and regulations. This policy is established to ensure that clients, families, service providers, agencies, community members, and regional center staff can in good faith, report suspicions, concerns, or evidence of illegal, unethical, or other inappropriate activity without fear of retaliation.
Zero Tolerance Policy for Abuse or Neglect
Westside Regional Center will protect the rights of adults and children with developmental disabilities. Under the direction of the Welfare and Institutions Code (WIC) 15630 and Public Code (PC) 1164-11174.3, WRC will maintain a zero-tolerance for abuse and neglect for the individuals we serve.