The following are services and supports provided by Westside Regional Center (WRC). Clients may be eligible for services based upon need related to the nature of the qualifying developmental disability as identified and agreed to by the interdisciplinary planning team. This is not a complete listing. Other needs identified by assessment may identify other services. Services must be requested through the Individual Program Plan (IPP) process. Please contact your service coordinator to discuss access to services.

Generic resources, private resources and/or natural supports must be explored prior to WRC funding.

Your child has recently entered an exciting and tumultuous time of life – adolescence or the teenage years. As a parent, you are faced with many changes both at home and at school. Your teen has moved onto a middle school or high school campus that may be overwhelmingly big. Your teen is growing and changing and we know you need all of the help you can get! Adolescent services are listed below with a brief explanation of each support.

Case Management

A Service Coordinator (SC) will be assigned to develop an Individual Program Plan (IPP) and assist with arranging appropriate services.

Crisis Support Services

WRC has 2 crisis response teams that provide support when individuals and families are in crisis due to emotional or serious behavioral concerns. We recommend signing up with a team for on-going support and wellness checks before concerns escalate.

Respite Services

Parents and caregivers can receive periodic assistance with the constant care and supervision of a client to relieve family stress or cope with family emergencies.

Day Care Supports (sometimes referred to as Specialized Supervision)

Parents who are working or in school full-time may be eligible for assistance to provide supervision primarily during after-school hours and/or during school breaks.

Behavior Classes

Mentor Family Behavioral Services offers training classes for parents to learn techniques for developing and implementing positive behavior strategies. Classes are held at WRC and participation is required for families seeking further behavior services.

Behavior Intervention (funded if family is exempt from SB 946 insurance requirement or Medi-Cal funding requirement) ***

Behavior intervention services are provided by specialists who offer training and instruction to assist families, clients, and caregivers in developing positive strategies and techniques to manage behaviors. Parent/caregiver participation is required!

Behavior Intervention Co-Pay, Co-Insurance, and Deductibles

If your family member receives behavior intervention services funded by insurance, WRC is able to assist with insurance Co-Payments, Co-Insurance, and Deductibles should your family meet income requirements. (Welfare & Institutions Code 4659.1).

Social Skills

Social skills classes are time-limited classes intended to improve interpersonal skills, social interactions and pragmatic language. Classes use a detailed curriculum with measurable outcomes. Parent/caregiver participation is required!

Westside Family Resource and Empowerment Center (WFREC)

Our parent run center offers a variety of support groups, trainings, community resources and referrals to valuable generic resources. For more information, please call 310-258-4063 or visit http://wfrec.org/.

Support Groups and Training Opportunities

WRC has a variety of support groups and training opportunities for individuals and families that are offered at our center. Please contact WFREC at 310-258-4063 or visit our website https://www.westsiderc.org/

Conferences

WRC encourages clients and family members to be empowered and informed through participation in trainings and conferences offered within the special needs community.

For that reason, WRC may fund for tuition or conference registration fees up to a maximum of $300 for ONE training or conference opportunity only ONCE per year. For adult clients, funding may include lodging and/or transportation costs when warranted.

For parents or care givers of clients, funding for tuition and conference registration fees (as referenced above (up to a maximum of $300 for ONE training or conference opportunity ONCE per year) may also be obtained, but funding will not cover the cost of hotels, transportation, or late fees. Check with your SC or WFREC to inquire about training and conference opportunities.

WRC Educational Support Team

A referral to our educational support team can be made for families who may need assistance with the IEP process and/or accessing appropriate services through the school districts.

Self-Advocacy Groups

WRC has a very active Consumer Advisory Committee (CAC) that hosts a number of self-advocacy groups located throughout WRC’s service area. For dates and locations, please contact your Service Coordinator.

Incontinence Supplies

Referrals can be made to assist individuals with securing supplies available through Medi-Cal, private insurance or through WRC funding when no other generic source is available.

Medical Equipment

Referrals can be made to assist families in accessing medically necessary equipment through Medi-Cal, private insurance, or other generic sources such as California Children Services (CCS). WRC, as payer of last resort, may also provide funding for equipment needs as determined through consultation with WRC’s Health and Medical staff and/or consultants.

Written Translations and Interpretations

Written translation services for IPPs can be available for clients, parents, and caregivers whose primary language is not English.

WRC also offers interpretation services for IPP or service planning/review meetings.

Additional Referral and Resource Agencies

211 Services: Provides help with food, housing, employment, health care, counseling and more. Visit http://www.211.org/ or just dial 2-1-1. They provide information throughout the United States.

Legal Advocacy through Office of Clients’ Rights Advocacy (OCRA): Clients and their families can receive free legal information, advice, and representation through the Office of Clients’ Rights Advocacy (OCRA). OCRA is part of Disability Rights of California. A Clients’ Rights Advocate (CRA) is designated to each regional center to help with legal problems, conduct trainings, and investigate denials of rights. Call (310) 846-4949 and leave a detailed message for assistance.

 State Council on Developmental Disabilities (SCDD): The State Council on Developmental Disabilities (SCDD) is an independent state agency that provides advocacy and other assistance to ensure individuals with developmental disabilities receive the services and supports they need. SCDD regional offices provide services to individuals with developmental disabilities and their families including, but not limited to, advocacy assistance, training, monitoring and public information. By providing these services, regional offices ensure that appropriate laws, regulations and policies pertaining to the rights of individuals are observed and protected. Feel free to contact SCDD with any questions at (866) 802-0514 or send an email to council@scdd.ca.gov.

Referrals to community agencies, events, and other generic resources are also available through your Service Coordinator and the Westside Family Resource and Empowerment Center.

***Please note that current legislation and regulation may require families to access their private insurance or managed care plan within Medi-Cal to obtain funding for these services. Your service coordinator will inform you about this process and will provide support as needed to obtain these insurance/managed care benefits.