Megan Chambers Lazet, Clients’ Right Advocate Attorney, Disability Rights California (Meeting May 20, 2017)

Meeting Notes

1. The Office of Client Rights Advocacy (OCRA) is a unit of Disability Rights California (DRC).  OCRA provides free legal services to regional center clients and people with questions about regional center eligibility.  DRC provides free legal services to Californians with all types of disabilities.
2. Regional Centers are nonprofit corporations with contracts with the State. Their focus is on people with developmental disabilities and their families by development Individualized Program Plans (IPP) and help to provide, secure or purchase services. 
3. The 4 steps to Regional Center eligibility are developmental disability, substantial disability, onset before the age of 18 and expected to continue indefinitely. Disabilities that are solely physical, psychiatric or learning are excluded.
4. Intake meeting is 15 days after filing of application and in 120 days a decision is reached. Be sure to appeal within 30 days of receiving a notice of action if denied. Do not delay.
5. Once eligibility is determined and application processed and approved, there is life long entitlement to services. 
6. Every Regional Center client has a Service Coordinator who helps you access the services you need and follow through to ensure that you receive it.
7. Covered services should be listed in the IPP and Notice of Action issued for denied services.
8. To help ease the application process, provide copies of helpful records. Do not rely on signing release of information. 

 
Office of Clients’ Rights Advocacy 619 239 7877