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Getting Started

The State of California has identified specific criteria as defined in the Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Services Act that determines whether or not a person is eligible for Regional Center services. Being solely diagnosed with a developmental disability is not enough to qualify.

The following eligibility criteria are summarized from the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) website.

Eligibility Criteria – Birth to Age 3

Infants and toddlers (age 0 to 36 months) who are at risk of having developmental disabilities or who have a developmental delay may qualify for services. The criteria for determining the eligibility of infants and toddlers is specified inĀ Section 95014Ā of theĀ California Government Code,Ā as at least one of the following:

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  • At least a 25% developmental delay in one or more areas of either:
    • cognitive
    • communication
    • social or emotional
    • adaptive
    • physical and motor development including vision and hearing
  • an established risk condition of known etiology, with a high probability of delayed development
  • high risk of having a substantial developmental disability due to a combination of biomedical risk factors

In addition, individuals at risk of having a child with a developmental disability may be eligible for genetic diagnosis, counseling, and other prevention services. For information about these services, seeĀ Early Childhood.

Eligibility Criteria – Ages 3 and Older

Regional Center eligibility criteria are defined by law, in Section 4512Ā of theĀ California Welfare and Institutions Code.

Diagnoses that may qualify a person for Regional Center services include the following developmental disabilities:

  • Autism
  • Cerebral Palsy
  • Intellectual Disability
  • Epilepsy
  • Conditions closely related to, or that require treatment similar to, that required for an intellectual disability

In addition, to qualify for Regional Center services, a personā€™s developmental disability must:

(This definition does not include any handicapping condition that is solely psychiatric, solely a learning disability or solely physical in nature.)Ā 

In addition to meeting eligibility criteria, to qualify for services through Redwood Coast Regional Center, the person must reside in Del Norte, Humboldt, Lake, or Mendocino County. If the child lives in a county other than these four counties, you can find the child or adult’s local Regional Center using this directory.

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