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Contact WebMaster@NewVisionAutism Center.com regarding this site.
An outreach of New Vision Children’s Services, a California Public Benefit 501(c)(3) Corporation
Regional Center Assessments
If you have a child with a developmental disability or suspected disability, you should set up an appointment with the Regional Center. In order to do this, you can call or FAX the center to request an appointment for “intake and assessment.” We ALWAYS recommend that you communicate in writing with anyone regarding services for your child.
Click here to download a sample intake request letter. You can also come into the center where we will draft a letter for you and FAX it in at no charge.
Oftentimes the Regional Center personnel will call you and conduct a “phone intake” to screen out individuals who may not qualify. If this occurs, and the regional center employee determines you are ineligible over the phone, inform them that your child has a legal right to be fully evaluated by the regional center in person if a suspected disability exists. Follow up ALL conversations with a FAX summarizing the conversation so you have documentation of what was said. Within 15 days of your initial request, the Regional Center must conduct an “initial intake.” Often times this is done over the phone. The full assessment must be completed within 120 days of the “initial intake.”
If your child is under three, the umbrella of service is much broader. The Regional Centers must serve any child with a delay in development. This is usually demonstrated through a child’s failure to meet developmental milestones, such as speech production, crawling, and walking. When your child turns three, the Regional Center will complete a new assessment. If he/she meets eligibility criteria for services, he/she will continue on with the center. If not, he/she will be released from services.
If your child is found to be eligible for services, the Individual Program Plan (IPP) must be completed within 60 days of the assessment.
If the Regional Center determines your child is NOT eligible for services, they must notify you in writing within 5 days of their decision. If you believe the assessment was invalid, you can appeal, but you MUST do so within 30 days. If you miss the timeline, you can never appeal. Be sure to keep careful note of all dates. On occasion, I have seen families get letters dated three weeks prior, giving them only a few days to file an appeal. If this happens, call us immediately.
For a comprehensive explanation of the Regional Center and its responsibilities, go to the Disability Rights California website at http://www.disabilityrightsca.org/pubs/506301.pdf
Click here to download a sample intake request letter. You can also come into the center where we will draft a letter for you and FAX it in at no charge.
Oftentimes the Regional Center personnel will call you and conduct a “phone intake” to screen out individuals who may not qualify. If this occurs, and the regional center employee determines you are ineligible over the phone, inform them that your child has a legal right to be fully evaluated by the regional center in person if a suspected disability exists. Follow up ALL conversations with a FAX summarizing the conversation so you have documentation of what was said. Within 15 days of your initial request, the Regional Center must conduct an “initial intake.” Often times this is done over the phone. The full assessment must be completed within 120 days of the “initial intake.”
If your child is under three, the umbrella of service is much broader. The Regional Centers must serve any child with a delay in development. This is usually demonstrated through a child’s failure to meet developmental milestones, such as speech production, crawling, and walking. When your child turns three, the Regional Center will complete a new assessment. If he/she meets eligibility criteria for services, he/she will continue on with the center. If not, he/she will be released from services.
If your child is found to be eligible for services, the Individual Program Plan (IPP) must be completed within 60 days of the assessment.
If the Regional Center determines your child is NOT eligible for services, they must notify you in writing within 5 days of their decision. If you believe the assessment was invalid, you can appeal, but you MUST do so within 30 days. If you miss the timeline, you can never appeal. Be sure to keep careful note of all dates. On occasion, I have seen families get letters dated three weeks prior, giving them only a few days to file an appeal. If this happens, call us immediately.
For a comprehensive explanation of the Regional Center and its responsibilities, go to the Disability Rights California website at http://www.disabilityrightsca.org/pubs/506301.pdf