Steps to be a Service Provider

Los Angeles County Regional Centers

Eastern Los Angeles Regional Center

(626) 299-4700
www.elarc.org
Serves the health districts of Alhambra, East Los Angeles, Northeast, and Whittier

Frank D. Lanterman Regional Center

(213) 383-1300
www.lanterman.org
Serves the health districts of Central Los Angeles, Glendale, Hollywood – Wilshire, and Pasadena

Harbor Regional Center

(310) 540-1711
www.harborrc.org
Serves the health districts of Bellflower, Harbor, Long Beach, and Torrance

North Los Angeles County Regional Center

(818) 778-1900
www.nlacrc.org
Serves the health districts of East Valley, San Fernando, and West Valley

San Gabriel/Pomona Regional Center

(909) 620-7722
www.sgprc.org
Serves the health districts of the Foothill, Pomona and El Monte

South Central Los Angeles Regional Center

(213) 744-7000
www.sclarc.org
Serves the health districts of Compton, San Antonio, South, Southeast, and South West

Westside Regional Center

(310) 258-4000
www.westsiderc.org
Serves the health districts of Inglewood and Santa Monica — West

What are the regional centers?

Regional centers are non-profit, private corporations that contract with the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) to provide or coordinate services and supports for individuals with developmental disabilities. They have offices throughout California to provide a local resource to help find and access the many services available to individuals and their families.

There are 21 locally-based regional centers located throughout California, and seven (7) regional centers serving Los Angeles County.

What is a developmental disability?

The term developmental disability refers to a severe and chronic disability that is attributable to a mental or physical impairment that begins before an individual reaches adulthood. These disabilities include:

  • Intellectual Disability;
  • Cerebral Palsy;
  • Epilepsy;
  • Autism;
  • and disabling conditions closely related to intellectual disability or requiring similar treatment.

The steps to becoming a regional center residential provider in Los Angeles County:

  1. Contact the Regional Center that serves the health district where your proposed facility site is going to be located to determine if there is a need. Attend and pass the Residential Services Orientation (RSO) given by the appropriate Regional Center. (Certificate is valid for 2 years)

  2. Regional Centers require that all potential Licensee’s/Administrator’s have experience providing direct supervision and special services to persons with developmental disabilities in a licensed residential setting. Service level approval will be restricted to those licensees who qualify as the Administrator as defined in Title 17 & 22.

    • Service Level 2
      Minimum Experience Full-Time 6 Months
    • Service Level 3
      Minimum Experience Full-Time 9 Months
    • Service Level 4A – 4I
      Minimum Experience Full-Time 12 Months
  3. The Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Services Act requires that the regional center determine the Licensee’s/Administrator’s ability to deliver quality services and support which can accomplish all or part of the Individual Program Plan (IPP) for the person eligible for regional center services. A panel interview reviewing the Licensee’s/Administrator’s experience, education, and knowledge of Title 17 sections 56001-56207 will be used to make this determination. A copy of Title 17 can be obtained on the internet at www.dds.ca.gov

  4. Attend the Orientation (Component 1) presented by Community Care Licensing Division (CCLD) to determine:

    • Facility type desired;
    • Whether your facility will be owner-operated or staff-operated;
    • If there will be live-in staff or shift staff; &
    • What your responsibilities will be.
  5. Submit a program design for the requested Service Level that meets the expectations of Title 17 and SG/PRC Best Practices. SG/PRC will provide you with writing guidelines to assist you with the development of the program design. Regional center has 45 days to review your program design to determine if it is complete and that you have complied with the provisions of Title 17 of the California Code of Regulations.

    As part of this process, SG/PRC will also review the licensing application to ensure all items are met and facilitate processing.

  6. Complete Vendor Application (Form DS 1890). Send vendor application to the regional center with all the required documentation, including copy of facility license. Regional center has 45 days to review your application to determine if it is complete and that you have complied with the provisions of Title 17 of the California Code of Regulations.

  7. If your vendor application is approved your facility will be given a Vendor Number. A Service Level Designation will be assigned according to the approved program design.

  8. The successful completion of all the above does not guarantee referral or placement of residents in the facility. (Title 17, Section 54322).

Community Care Facilities (CCF):

CCF’s are non-medical facilities which provide 24-hour care and supervision to individuals. CCF’s are licensed by the Department of Social Services Community Care Licensing Division (DSS-CCLD).

Types of CCF’s:

Small Family Home (SFH):
SFH is an owner-operated residential facility for children 0-17 years of age.

Group Home (GH):
GH is a staff-operated residential facility for children 0-17 years of age.

Adult Residential Facility (ARF):
ARF is an owner-operated or staff-operated facility for adults 18-59 years of age.

Residential Care Facility for the Elderly (RCFE):
RCFE is an owner-operated or staff-operated facility for seniors 60 years or older. You can access CCLD information by going to their web site: www.ccld.ca.gov.

CCLD Orientation Information Lines:
For ARF’s, GH’s, SFH’s and RCFE’s Call (323) 981-3970

Pre-licensing Inspections

Some cities or county Fire Departments offer pre-licensing inspections.

The County of Los Angeles Fire Department, Institutions Unit, (562) 696-2034, may assist with information and/or a visit on how to obtain a fire clearance.

Regional Plan Check Offices

Building, Sprinkler & Alarm Plan Review only:

Commerce Office
5823 Rickenbacker Road
Commerce, CA 90040
(323) 890-4125