Frequently Asked Questions

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 Medi-Cal.

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.

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 receive services from WRC

What if my son/ daughter declines to participate in the intake process?

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 Regional Center.

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 re-determined 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.

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.

How long will the process of determining eligibility take?

For children birth to 3 years of age, it can take up to 45 days to determine eligibility. For children over 3 and adults, it can take up to 120 days.

If my child is found not eligible, what shall I do next?

Please click here for next steps.

What services does Westside Regional Center provide?

Please click here for a full list of services based on age groups.

Understanding the Diagnosis:

A Guide for Families

Developmental disabilities are a group of conditions due to an impairment in physical, learning, language, or behavior areas. These conditions begin during the developmental period, may impact day-to-day functioning, and usually last throughout a person’s lifetime.

Receiving a diagnosis of a developmental disability comes with a lot of information, paperwork, appointments, changes, and feelings. You may have many questions regarding developmental disabilities. As you look for answers, you will encounter information about the various conditions, their causes, and possible treatments. All of this information may make it challenging to organize options and begin to choose a treatment plan that best fits your family.

It is natural to want to identify the single root cause of the diagnosis. Many families may battle with feelings of guilt and/or shame. Please understand that these diagnoses are complex and there may not be a single factor that has been identified as the cause. Know that families and caregivers can be strong advocates and have high expectations of a person/family member with the disability.

Westside Regional Center anticipates supporting you and your family as you proceed from the initial diagnosis to ongoing support services. You are not alone in this process. For additional information about diagnosis, you may contact your service coordinator, WRC’s Staff Psychologist, Kaely Shilakes, Psy.D at 310-258-4157, or click on the following documents below: