California Regional Center System

Offered by California Department of Developmental Services

21 non-profit Regional Centers funded by the state Department of Developmental Services serve as entry point for early intervention, case management, and lifelong services.

California’s regional center system is a statewide network of nonprofit community agencies contracted by the state as local access points for people with developmental disabilities and their families. Regional centers handle intake and eligibility assessment, service coordination, and individualized planning. A person believed to have a developmental disability can request intake through the center serving their home area. Autism is named in California’s statutory definition, but a diagnosis alone does not guarantee ongoing eligibility or a fixed package of services.

Eligibility

Initial intake and assessment are available to a person believed to have a developmental disability. Ongoing Lanterman Act eligibility generally requires a disability that began before age 18, is expected to continue indefinitely, and causes substantial functional limitations in at least three statutory life areas. Separate Early Start and provisional eligibility rules apply to younger children. The regional center makes the determination.

How to apply

Identify the regional center serving your home address, then contact that center and ask for intake and an eligibility assessment. Be ready to provide your address and relevant school, medical, work, evaluation or assessment records. Under California WIC §4642, initial intake must occur within 15 working days after the request; the center then decides eligibility or whether to begin further assessment.

At a glance

Source and verification

Last source check: August 6, 2026

Check the current program details at the cited source. Eligibility, funding, availability, fees, and application steps can change.

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