Regional Center Disputes

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Regional Center Disputes

Many parents are under the impression that once the Regional Center makes a decision, that’s all there is to it. However, that is not the case. You absolutely have the right to appeal any decision made by the center. It is important that you follow the legal timelines, however. If you miss the timelines, you lose your ability to file an appeal. You can appeal the following decisions:

Your child is not eligible for regional center services;

Your child will no longer need a particular service;

You child will have a service reduced or changed; or

Your child will not receive a service you have chosen and believe he/she needs.

When the regional center makes any of the above decisions, they are required to notify you in writing. This notice must have several components. With this written notice, they must also provide an appeals packet. If your caseworker calls you and informs you of a change in service over the phone, inform them that they must notify you in writing and provide an appeals packet. It is the Regional Center’s responsibility to ask if you need assistance filling out the packet and provide it in a language you understand. If a Regional Center employee willfully denies you assistance in filling out the form, they may be guilty of a misdemeanor.

To appeal a decision, you must make your request in writing. This should be done using the Regional Center packet. You can have a Client Rights Advocate assist you with this. Each Regional Center has a client rights advocate assigned to them who is not an employee of the center.

For complete and detailed information on the appeals process, go to the Disability Rights California website by clicking here.