Budget Update

On June 27th, the Administration and the Legislature of the State of California arrived at a budget agreement that applies funds from a statewide surplus, and provides a comprehensive funding influx for developmental services over the next few fiscal years. This also represents a major success for several key ongoing advocacy issues over many years, as evidenced in budget reports for earlier years on this page.

 This budget will go into effect immediately upon signing by Governor Newson 

The 2021/22 Budget includes:

Restoration for purchase of social recreation, camping services, educational services, and non-medical therapies for persons served.

Allows regional centers to serve children without a formal diagnosis of developmental disability, ages 3 & 4, on a provisional basis up to age five.

Formally opens the Self-Determination Program to all interested regional center service recipients as of July 1, and establishes an Office of the Ombudsperson for the Self Determination Program.

Creation of a new specialized reduced caseload ratio (1:40) for selected clients/families in underserved communities.

Continued use of selected practices utilized during the COVID-19 pandemic, including remote services, virtual meetings, and remote Early Start services at the request of the family.

Funds expansion of the paid internship program and incentives for community integrated employment.

For service providers:

A phase-in of rate increases for service providers to remedy long-time underfunding and achieve the needed rate levels identified in the state’s 2019 Rate Study. 

Eliminates the suspension of temporary supplemental rate increases.

Lifts the suspension of rates for supported employment, independent living, infant development, early start specialized therapeutic services and vouchered community-based services.

Ends the Uniform Holiday (Furlough) Schedule.

Funding to address frozen rates for Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities (ICF/DD) and Pediatric Subacute Facilities. 

A pay differential for bilingual direct service providers serving clients in other languages.

A training and certification program for direct service professionals tied to wage differentials. The program aims to reduce staff wage inequity, stabilize service access, and professionalize and diversify the workforce.

And for service coordination (next year):

Funding of $61.8 million General Fund starting in 2022-23 and on-going to enhance service coordinator ratios at the 21 Regional Centers. 

Thank you to everyone that called, emailed, or met with our legislators to convey the need for these much-needed service system funds.