What is the Regional Center?
Developmental Disability Services & Support Coordination
Regional Centers are private, non-profit organizations that contract with the California Department of Developmental Services (DDS) to coordinate and deliver essential services for individuals with developmental disabilities.
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These centers operate throughout California and serve as local access points, helping individuals and families connect with the support, care, and resources they need to improve quality of life and promote independence.
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Regional Centers play a vital role in ensuring individuals receive personalized, continuous, and coordinated services based on their unique needs.
Services Provided by Regional Centers
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Regional Centers offer a wide range of professional services and supports, including:
1. Information & Referral Services
Providing accurate guidance and connecting individuals and families to appropriate services and resources.
2. Assessment & Diagnosis
Conducting comprehensive evaluations to determine developmental needs and eligibility for services.
3. Counseling Services
Offering emotional, behavioral, and psychological support related to developmental disabilities.
4. Individualized Lifelong Planning & Service Coordination
Developing personalized service plans and coordinating ongoing support throughout an individual’s life.
5. Service Authorization & Coordination
Ensuring individuals receive the services outlined in their Individual Program Plan (IPP).
6. Resource Development
Identifying and expanding community resources to better support individuals with developmental disabilities.
7. Community Outreach & Awareness
Promoting understanding and awareness of developmental disabilities through public education initiatives.
8. Community Resource Navigation
Helping individuals and families locate and effectively use available community services and supports.
9. Advocacy for Rights Protection
Advocating for the legal, civil, and service rights of individuals with developmental disabilities.
10. Early Intervention Services
Providing early support for at-risk infants and their families to promote healthy development and long-term outcomes.
11. Genetic Counseling Services
Offering expert guidance and information regarding genetic factors related to developmental conditions.
12. Family Support Services
Supporting families with education, resources, and assistance to strengthen their ability to care for their loved ones.
13. Residential Planning & 24-Hour Care Coordination
Assisting with placement, planning, and monitoring for individuals requiring out-of-home or residential care.
14. Training & Educational Programs
Providing learning opportunities for individuals and families to build knowledge and life skills.
15. Community Education Programs
Educating the public to increase awareness, inclusion, and acceptance of developmental disabilities.
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Supporting Independence Through Coordinated Care
Regional Centers play a critical role in California’s developmental services system by ensuring individuals receive the right support at the right time. Through collaboration, advocacy, and personalized planning, they help individuals and families achieve greater independence, stability, and quality of life.
How do I find my Regional Center?
To ascertain the specific Regional Center that caters to your geographic vicinity, whether within or outside Los Angeles, kindly access this link.
How do I sign-up?
To ascertain the specific Regional Center that caters to your geographic vicinity, whether within or outside Los Angeles, kindly access this link.
How do I sign-up?
To register for our programs, kindly initiate the enrollment process through your designated Regional Center. The service coordinator or counselor assigned to assist you at the Regional Center will be responsible for submitting a formal request for services on your behalf.
Do I qualify for your program?
To be eligible for our programs, applicants must meet the following criteria:
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1. Minimum age requirement: Applicants must be at least 18 years old.
2. Diagnostic confirmation: Applicants must be received a professional diagnosis of a developmental disability.
3. Enrollment at a local Regional Center: Applicants must be enrolled at their respective local Regional Center.
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Please note that adherence to these requirements is necessary for consideration in our programs.
What is developmental disability?
A developmental disability is a condition that begins before the age of 18 and is expected to last throughout a person’s lifetime. It significantly affects an individual’s physical, learning, communication, or daily living abilities.
Developmental disabilities include conditions such as intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and autism spectrum disorder. They may also include related conditions that require similar levels of support and services as those provided for individuals with intellectual disabilities.
These conditions can impact how a person learns, communicates, and functions in everyday life, often requiring ongoing assistance, training, and specialized support services to promote independence and well-being.
It is important to note that solely physical disabilities are not classified as developmental disabilities under this definition.
What areas do you provide services?
Giant Steps currently provides services throughout the Greater Los Angeles region, supporting individuals with developmental disabilities across multiple communities within key Regional Center catchment areas.
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Our service areas include:
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South Central Los Angeles Regional Center – Serving Central and South Los Angeles communities
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Westside Regional Center – Including Culver City, Inglewood, and Santa Monica areas
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Frank D. Lanterman Regional Center – Covering Downtown Los Angeles and Hollywood regions
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Eastern Los Angeles Regional Center – Serving Northeast Los Angeles, Alhambra, and Temple City areas
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Supporting Communities Across Los Angeles
Through these regional partnerships, Giant Steps is able to deliver accessible, community-based services that meet the unique needs of individuals and families throughout Los Angeles County.