I remember the day we were told, "Your child is eligible." Relief came first, and then a wave of new questions right behind it.
So… now what? What can we actually get? Where do we start?
Eligibility is not the finish line — it is the starting point. Today, let's look at what opens up after eligibility, and what does not.
Part 1. What Happens Right After Eligibility
1. A Service Coordinator (SC) is assigned
- Once eligibility is decided, an SC is assigned and will contact you.
- Your SC is your family's main point of contact. Most communication with the regional center goes through the SC.
2. The IPP meeting
- You and your SC schedule a meeting to develop the IPP (Individual Program Plan).
- The IPP is supposed to be completed within a timeline set in law.
- DDS has been phasing in a new standard IPP format used across all regional centers.
3. The IPP is your service roadmap
- As a rule, services are provided based on what is in the IPP.
- When new needs come up, you can request an IPP meeting to update it.
- That is why it matters to think through "what does my child need?" before the IPP meeting.
Part 2. What Services Are Possible — Common Examples
A wide range of services can be provided through a regional center. But nothing is automatic; there needs to be a basis for it in the IPP.
| Service | In brief |
|---|---|
| Respite | Care that gives parents and caregivers a break |
| Personal Assistance | Help with daily living such as meals, mobility, and hygiene |
| Behavioral services (such as ABA) | Often connected after other funding sources, such as insurance or Medi-Cal, have been checked |
| Speech / occupational therapy | Provided by outside providers; the regional center may help fund it when no other source is available |
| Specialized child care | Specialized care when regular child care isn't workable |
| Social recreation / Camp | Services that were paused for a period and later became available again |
| Family and parent training | Understanding disability, rights education, behavior support, and more |
In adulthood, services like these may also be considered:
- Job training / Supported Employment
- Supported Living Services
- Day Programs
- Housing-related support
Part 3. Expectations vs. Reality — What to Know Ahead of Time
This is the important part. Eligibility does not solve everything.
Reality 1. The regional center is the "payer of last resort"
Other resources come first — insurance, Medi-Cal, school (IEP), CCS, and so on. The regional center fills gaps that other sources do not cover. "The regional center will take care of everything" is a misunderstanding.
Reality 2. If you don't ask, it is hard for it to get into the IPP
You need to tell your SC clearly, "My child needs this." That is why your active participation matters.
Reality 3. Experiences vary by center and by SC
Even within the same center, experiences can differ a lot depending on the SC. If your SC is not a good fit, you can ask for a change.
Reality 4. There may be waiting time
Even when a service is written into the IPP, it can take time to be connected to an actual provider. In some areas, there are not enough providers.
Three Common Misunderstandings
Myth 1. "Eligibility = services start."
Eligibility opens the door; the IPP is the key. Services do not start without an IPP.
Myth 2. "The regional center provides therapy."
As we said in Guide 2 — the regional center connects, coordinates, and pays. Outside providers deliver the therapy.
Myth 3. "Once it's decided, it can't be changed."
The IPP can be revised. If you request it, an IPP meeting is supposed to be held within 30 days (it's best to make the request in writing). As your child grows, needs change too.
Wrap-Up
Eligibility is the start of a long journey. Many doors open, but it is your voice as a parent that opens them. In the next guide, we will look at how to prepare for the place where you use that voice: the IPP meeting.
Further Reading
- DDS services and eligibility
- DDS IPP information (including the standard format): the Individual Program Plan page on the DDS website
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).