The Family Cost Participation Program was created under state law , and requires families to participate in the purchase of a percentage of  respite and day care services if their income is above a certain level. No other services are affected by this program.

Only families that meet the following conditions will be affected:

• Your children are minors under 18 years of age, and are clients of the regional center
• Your children live at home with their parents.  
• Your children are not eligible for MediCal
• Your family income is above a certain amount (at least 400% of federal poverty level or greater).
  

The following links may provide you with additional useful information:

• State of California Website Family Cost Participation Program Information Page and Calculator
• Family Cost  Participation Assessment Schedule
• HRC informational booklet about Family Cost Participation.
  
  The regional center makes arrangements with the service provider for provision and funding of the portion of services for which the regional center is resposible, according to the state formula. Families will make arrangements and payments for your share of services directly with your service provider. The amount of a family's share of services will be determined on a sliding scale, called The Family Cost Participation Schedule.  This scale (see above) with payments ranging from 10% to 100% of the total cost per services per month, is based on the number of persons living in the family home and the family's income. It will also take into account the number of children with developmental disabilities, and any extraordinary medical expenses being borne by the family.  

As of January 2005, Regional Centers are now required by the State of California to implement this program. You should expect the regional center to:

• ask you to provide proof of your annual income within ten working days after your service plan is created. (or after a new client enters the regional center program).
• notify you if you are included under the Family Cost Participation guidelines above.
• notify you of  your participation amout --- this is the portion of services which will be your responsibility to purchase directly from the service provider -- based upon the sliding scale Family Cost Participation Schedule.

If you have more than one child ages 0-17 years, w ho live at home and who are clients of the regional center, your cost participation amount is adjusted as follows:

• For two children , your rate will be reduced by 25% for each child
• For three children, your rate will be reduced by 50% for each
• For four children, your rate will be reduced by 75% for each
• If you have more than four children ages 0-17 who are clients of the regional center, you will not be required to participate in the family cost participation program.