"Negotiation" here does not mean a fight. It means this is where you ask, specifically, for the support your child needs — and make sure what you agree on is written down.
Once eligibility is decided and an SC is assigned, the first big step is the IPP meeting. The first time I went to one, I sat down with almost no preparation.
Looking back, the IPP meeting was not a place to listen to explanations. It was a place to ask for what my child needed. I wish I had known that sooner.
Part 1. What Is the IPP?
IPP = Individual Program Plan. In one sentence: it is the roadmap for the services your child receives through the regional center.
- It documents your child's current situation, goals, needed services, and who provides them.
- As a rule, services are provided based on the IPP.
- When needs change, you can revise the IPP (by requesting another meeting).
- So for parents, the IPP becomes "a written record of commitments that can actually be carried out."
The name changes with age:
- Under 3: IFSP (Individualized Family Service Plan) — Early Start
- Age 3 and up: IPP (Individual Program Plan) — the Lanterman Act system
Note: DDS has introduced a new standard IPP format used across all regional centers, and existing clients are being transitioned in phases. The new format puts more emphasis on person-centered planning.
Part 2. What Happens at the IPP Meeting
Meeting length varies, but it is reasonable to expect an hour or two. Who attends:
- Parents/caregivers (and the person themselves, when possible)
- The service coordinator (SC)
- As needed: therapists, teachers, an advocate, or anyone the family invites
How the meeting usually flows:
- ① Review your child's current situation — development, health, daily life, strengths
- ② Set goals — what changes you hope to see
- ③ Decide on services and supports — what, by whom, and how often
- ④ Agreement and signature
Important: You are not required to sign. If there is something you do not agree with, you can hold off on signing and ask for further discussion. You can request an IPP meeting whenever you need one, and it is supposed to be held within 30 days of your request.
Part 3. Three Things to Prepare Before the Meeting
This is the most important part of this guide.
Prep 1. Write down "the three things my child needs most right now"
A lot gets discussed in the meeting. Without preparation, it is easy to just go along with whatever is suggested. Write your needs down specifically before you go.
| Less effective | More effective |
|---|---|
| "We'd like more therapy." | "My child currently has speech therapy once a week. We'd like to increase it to twice a week, because they are still having trouble putting two or three words together." |
Prep 2. List the services your child currently receives
Write down which services your child gets, where, and how often. Separating what comes through insurance, through school (IEP), and through the regional center makes the conversation with your SC much more efficient.
Because the regional center is the payer of last resort, it generally will not fund services that are already covered elsewhere. Organizing this ahead of time means fewer surprises when you hear why something can't be approved.
Prep 3. Keep notes
Write down, even briefly, what was discussed, which services were agreed on, and what the SC said. Having notes is much stronger than relying on memory later.
The DDS website also has family-friendly materials to help you prepare for the IPP. Reading them before the meeting can give you a sense of what questions will come up.
Three Common Misunderstandings
Myth 1. "The SC will put everything in for us."
Services are much more likely to be included when parents ask for them. Needs that are not mentioned are easy to miss.
Myth 2. "Once it's set, we have to wait a whole year."
The IPP can be revised. If you request it, a meeting is supposed to be held within 30 days (it's best to make the request in writing). If your child's situation has changed or services feel insufficient, ask right away.
Myth 3. "We have to agree."
A signature means agreement. If you don't agree, you don't have to sign. You can note your disagreement in the record, and you can also file an appeal.
Wrap-Up
The IPP is not just paperwork — it is the negotiation table that shapes your child's next year. In the next guide, we will look at the person across that table: your service coordinator (SC), and how to work together.
Further Reading
- DDS IPP information (including the standard format): the Individual Program Plan page on the DDS website
- DDS Regional Centers
Please note
This guide is general information for California families new to developmental disability services. It is not legal or medical advice. Rules and procedures can change, so please confirm current details with DDS and your regional center or your service coordinator (SC).