Amended in Senate April 1, 2013

Senate BillNo. 555


Introduced by Senator Correa

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(Principal coauthor: Senator Padilla)

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February 22, 2013


An actbegin insert to amend Section 95020 of the Government Code, and to amend Sections 4512, 4641, 4642, 4643, 4646, 4646.5, 4648, and 4685 of the Welfare and Institutions Code,end insert relating to developmental services.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL’S DIGEST

SB 555, as amended, Correa. Developmental services:begin insert regional centers:end insert individual program plans andbegin delete individualend deletebegin insert individualizedend insert family service plans.

Under existing law, the Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Services Act, the State Department of Developmental Services is authorized to contract with regional centers to provide services and supports to individuals with developmental disabilities. The services and supports to be provided to a regional center consumer are contained in an individual program plan (IPP) orbegin delete individualend deletebegin insert individualizedend insert family service plan (IFSP), developed in accordance with prescribed requirements. Existing law states that it is the intent of the Legislature to ensure that the individual program plan and provision of services and supports by the regional center system is centered on the individual and the family of the individual with developmental disabilities and takes into account the needs and preferences of the individual and the family, as specified.

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This bill would state the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation that would require an IPP or IFSP to consider the needs of the consumer, and his or her family, in order to provide services and supports in a culturally and linguistically appropriate manner.

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This bill would require those provisions to be implemented in a manner that meets the cultural preferences, values, lifestyle, and native language of the consumer and the consumer’s family, and require the IPP or IFSP, and the services and supports provided under the IPP or IFSP, to be designed to meet the cultural preferences, values, and lifestyle of the consumer and the consumer’s family, and provided in their native language, as defined.

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Under existing law, regional centers are required to conduct casefinding activities, including notification of the availability of services in English and other languages that are appropriate to the service area.

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This bill would require the department and the regional centers to ensure that consumers and their families receive culturally and linguistically competent information, including written documents, about the IPP and the IFSP, and related processes and procedures, as prescribed. This bill would require each regional center to make this information available to the public, and require the department and the regional centers to make this information available on the department’s and regional center’s Internet Web sites.

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Under existing law, a person believed to have a developmental disability or to have a high risk of parenting a developmentally disabled infant is eligible for initial intake and assessment in the regional centers, as specified.

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This bill would require all communication with the consumer and his or her family pursuant to those provisions to be in their native language.

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This bill would make other conforming changes.

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Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: begin deleteno end deletebegin insertyesend insert. State-mandated local program: no.

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

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begin insertSECTION 1.end insert  

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The Legislature finds and declares the following:

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(a) California’s diverse language and ethnic communities account for about 60 percent of its population. The number of people in the United States who do not speak English as their native language has grown 140 percent over the past three decades. In California, about 40 percent of Californians speak a language other than English at home, and the number of individuals whose first language is not English is rapidly growing.

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(b) Health disparities can result in significant health, social, and economic consequences. Culturally and linguistically competent health care services can assist in achieving health equity. Health literacy plays a central role in promoting quality of life, health development, and health behaviors across all groups and life stages.

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(c) To address any disparities in the regional center system, it is the intent of the Legislature that the State Department of Developmental Services and regional centers ensure that all consumers and their families receive culturally and linguistically competent information, including written documents, about the individual program plan and individualized family service plan processes and procedures. It is also the intent of the Legislature that each regional center make available culturally and linguistically competent information to individuals living in its geographic catchment area about regional center services, processes, and procedures.

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begin insertSEC. 2.end insert  

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begin insertSection 95020 of the end insertbegin insertGovernment Codeend insertbegin insert is amended to read:end insert

95020.  

(a) An eligible infant or toddler shall have an individualized family service plan. The individualized family service plan shall be used in place of an individualized education program required pursuant to Sections 4646 and 4646.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, the individualized program plan required pursuant to Section 56340 of the Education Code, or any other applicable service plan.

(b) For an infant or toddler who has been evaluated for the first time, a meeting to share the results of the evaluation, to determine eligibility and, for children who are eligible, to develop the initial individualized family service plan shall be conducted within 45 calendar days of receipt of the written referral. Evaluation results and determination of eligibility may be shared in a meeting with the family prior to the individualized family service plan. Written parent consent to evaluate and assess shall be obtained within the 45-day timeline. A regional center, local educational agency, or the designee of one of those entities shall initiate and conduct this meeting. Families shall be afforded the opportunity to participate in all decisions regarding eligibility and services. During intake and assessment, but no later than thebegin delete IFSPend deletebegin insert individualized family service planend insert meeting, the parents, legal guardian, or conservator shall provide copies of any health benefit cards under which the consumer is eligible to receive health benefits, including, but not limited to, private health insurance, a health care service plan, Medi-Cal, Medicare, and TRICARE. If the individual, or, where appropriate, the parents, legal guardians, or conservators, have no such benefits, the regional center shall not use that fact to negatively impact the services that the individual may or may not receive from the regional center.

(c) Parents shall be fully informed of their rights, including the right to invite another person, including a family member or an advocate or peer parent, or any or all of them, to accompany them to any or all individualized family service plan meetings. With parental consent, a referral shall be made to the local family resource center or network.

(d) The individualized family service plan shall be in writing and shall address all of the following:

(1) A statement of the infant’s or toddler’s present levels of physical development including vision, hearing, and health status, cognitive development, communication development, social and emotional development, and adaptive developments.

(2) With the concurrence of the family, a statement of the family’s concerns, priorities, and resources related to meeting the special developmental needs of the eligible infant or toddler.

(3) A statement of the major outcomes expected to be achieved for the infant or toddler and family where services for the family are related to meeting the special developmental needs of the eligible infant or toddler.

(4) The criteria, procedures, and timelines used to determine the degree to which progress toward achieving the outcomes is being made and whether modifications or revisions are necessary.

(5) (A) A statement of the specific early intervention services necessary to meet the unique needs of the infant or toddler as identified in paragraph (3), including, but not limited to, the frequency, intensity, location, duration, and method of delivering the services, and ways of providing services in natural generic environments, including group training for parents on behavioral intervention techniques in lieu of some or all of the in-home parent training component of the behavior intervention services, and purchase of neighborhood preschool services and needed qualified personnel in lieu of infant development programs.

(B) Effective July 1, 2009, at the time of development, review, or modification of an infant’s or toddler’s individualized family service plan, the regional center shall consider both of the following:

(i) The use of group training for parents on behavior intervention techniques, in lieu of some or all of the in-home parent training component of the behavior intervention services.

(ii) The purchase of neighborhood preschool services and needed qualified personnel, in lieu of infant development programs.

(6) A statement of the agency responsible for providing the identified services.

(7) The name of the service coordinator who shall be responsible for facilitating implementation of the plan and coordinating with other agencies and persons.

(8) The steps to be taken to ensure transition of the infant or toddler upon reaching three years of age to other appropriate services. These may include, as appropriate, special education or other services offered in natural environments.

(9) The projected dates for the initiation of services in paragraph (5) and the anticipated duration of those services.

(e) Each service identified on the individualized family service plan shall be designated as one of three types:

(1) An early intervention service, as defined in subsection (4) of Section 1432 of Title 20 of the United States Code, and applicable regulations, that is provided or purchased through the regional center, local educational agency, or other participating agency. The State Department of Health Care Services, State Department of Social Services, and State Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs shall provide services in accordance with state and federal law and applicable regulations, and up to the level of funding as appropriated by the Legislature. Early intervention services identified on an individualized family service plan that exceed the funding, statutory, and regulatory requirements of these departments shall be provided or purchased by regional centers or local educational agencies under subdivisions (b) and (c) of Section 95014. The State Department of Health Care Services, State Department of Social Services, and State Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs shall not be required to provide early intervention services over their existing funding, statutory, and regulatory requirements.

(2) Another service, other than those specified in paragraph (1), which the eligible infant or toddler or his or her family may receive from other state programs, subject to the eligibility standards of those programs.

(3) A referral to a nonrequired service that may be provided to an eligible infant or toddler or his or her family. Nonrequired services are those services that are not defined as early intervention services or do not relate to meeting the special developmental needs of an eligible infant or toddler related to the disability, but that may be helpful to the family. The granting or denial of nonrequired services by a public or private agency is not subject to appeal under this title. Notwithstanding any other provision of law or regulation to the contrary, effective July 1, 2009, with the exception of durable medical equipment, regional centers shall not purchase nonrequired services, but may refer a family to a nonrequired service that may be available to an eligible infant or toddler or his or her family.

(f) An annual review, and other periodic reviews, of the individualized family service plan for an infant or toddler and the infant’s or toddler’s family shall be conducted to determine the degree of progress that is being made in achieving the outcomes specified in the plan and whether modification or revision of the outcomes or services is necessary. The frequency, participants, purpose, and required processes for annual and periodic reviews shall be consistent with the statutes and regulations under Part C of the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. Sec. 1431 et seq.) and this title, and shall be specified in regulations adopted pursuant to Section 95028. At the time of the review, the parents, legal guardian, or conservator shall provide copies of any health benefit cards under which the consumer is eligible to receive health benefits, including, but not limited to, private health insurance, a health care service plan, Medi-Cal, Medicare, and TRICARE. If the parents, legal guardian, or conservator have no such benefit cards, the regional center shall not use that fact to negatively impact the services that the individual may or may not receive from the regional center.

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(g) Individualized family service plans and the provision of services and supports shall be designed to meet the cultural preferences, values, and lifestyle of the infant or toddler and his or her family, and shall be provided in their native language. A copy of the individualized family service plan shall be provided in their native language.

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begin insertSEC. 3.end insert  

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begin insertSection 4512 of the end insertbegin insertWelfare and Institutions Codeend insertbegin insert is amended to read:end insert

4512.  

As used in this division:

(a) “Developmental disability” means a disability that originates before an individual attains age 18 years, continues, or can be expected to continue, indefinitely, and constitutes a substantial disability for that individual. As defined by the Director of Developmental Services, in consultation with the Superintendent of Public Instruction, this term shall include mental retardation, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and autism. This term shall also include disabling conditions found to be closely related to mental retardation or to require treatment similar to that required for individuals with mental retardation, but shall not include other handicapping conditions that are solely physical in nature.

(b) “Services and supports for persons with developmental disabilities” means specialized services and supports or special adaptations of generic services and supports directed toward the alleviation of a developmental disability or toward the social, personal, physical, or economic habilitation or rehabilitation of an individual with a developmental disability, or toward the achievement and maintenance of independent, productive, normal lives. The determination of which services and supports are necessary for each consumer shall be made through the individual program plan process. The determination shall be made on the basis of the needs and preferences of the consumer or, when appropriate, the consumer’s family, and shall include consideration of a range of service options proposed by individual program plan participants, the effectiveness of each option in meeting the goals stated in the individual program plan, and the cost-effectiveness of each option. Services and supports listed in the individual program plan may include, but are not limited to, diagnosis, evaluation, treatment, personal care, day care, domiciliary care, special living arrangements, physical, occupational, and speech therapy, training, education, supported and sheltered employment, mental health services, recreation, counseling of the individual with a developmental disability and of his or her family, protective and other social and sociolegal services, information and referral services, follow-along services, adaptive equipment and supplies, advocacy assistance, including self-advocacy training, facilitation and peer advocates, assessment, assistance in locating a home, child care, behavior training and behavior modification programs, camping, community integration services, community support, daily living skills training, emergency and crisis intervention, facilitating circles of support, habilitation, homemaker services, infant stimulation programs, paid roommates, paid neighbors, respite, short-term out-of-home care, social skills training, specialized medical and dental care, supported living arrangements, technical and financial assistance, travel training, training for parents of children with developmental disabilities, training for parents with developmental disabilities, vouchers, and transportation services necessary to ensure delivery of services to persons with developmental disabilities. Nothing in this subdivision is intended to expand or authorize a new or different service or support for any consumer unless that service or support is contained in his or her individual program plan.

(c) Notwithstanding subdivisions (a) and (b), for any organization or agency receiving federal financial participation under the federal Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000, as amended, “developmental disability” and “services for persons with developmental disabilities” mean the terms as defined in the federal act to the extent required by federal law.

(d) “Consumer” means a person who has a disability that meets the definition of developmental disability set forth in subdivision (a).

(e) “Natural supports” means personal associations and relationships typically developed in the community that enhance the quality and security of life for people, including, but not limited to, family relationships, friendships reflecting the diversity of the neighborhood and the community, associations with fellow students or employees in regular classrooms and workplaces, and associations developed through participation in clubs, organizations, and other civic activities.

(f) “Circle of support” means a committed group of community members, who may include family members, meeting regularly with an individual with developmental disabilities in order to share experiences, promote autonomy and community involvement, and assist the individual in establishing and maintaining natural supports. A circle of support generally includes a plurality of members who neither provide nor receive services or supports for persons with developmental disabilities and who do not receive payment for participation in the circle of support.

(g) “Facilitation” means the use of modified or adapted materials, special instructions, equipment, or personal assistance by an individual, such as assistance with communications, that will enable a consumer to understand and participate to the maximum extent possible in the decisions and choices that effect his or her life.

(h) “Family support services” means services and supports that are provided to a child with developmental disabilities or his or her family and that contribute to the ability of the family to reside together.

(i) “Voucher” means any authorized alternative form of service delivery in which the consumer or family member is provided with a payment, coupon, chit, or other form of authorization that enables the consumer or family member to choose his or her own service provider.

(j) “Planning team” means the individual with developmental disabilities, the parents or legally appointed guardian of a minor consumer or the legally appointed conservator of an adult consumer, the authorized representative, including those appointed pursuant to subdivision (d) of Section 4548 and subdivision (e) of Section 4705, one or more regional center representatives, including the designated regional center service coordinator pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 4640.7, any individual, including a service provider, invited by the consumer, the parents or legally appointed guardian of a minor consumer or the legally appointed conservator of an adult consumer, or the authorized representative, including those appointed pursuant to subdivision (d) of Section 4548 and subdivision (e) of Section 4705, and including a minor’s, dependent’s, or ward’s court-appointed developmental services decisionmaker appointed pursuant to Section 319, 361, or 726.

(k) “Stakeholder organizations” means statewide organizations representing the interests of consumers, family members, service providers, and statewide advocacy organizations.

(l) “Substantial disability” means the existence of significant functional limitations in three or more of the following areas of major life activity, as determined by a regional center, and as appropriate to the age of the person:

(1) Self-care.

(2) Receptive and expressive language.

(3) Learning.

(4) Mobility.

(5) Self-direction.

(6) Capacity for independent living.

(7) Economic self-sufficiency.

Any reassessment of substantial disability for purposes of continuing eligibility shall utilize the same criteria under which the individual was originally made eligible.

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(m) “Native language” means the language normally used by the individual and, when appropriate, his or her parent, legal guardian or conservator, or authorized representative.

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begin insertSEC. 4.end insert  

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begin insertSection 4641 of the end insertbegin insertWelfare and Institutions Codeend insertbegin insert is amended to read:end insert

4641.  

begin insert(a)end insertbegin insertend insertAll regional centers shall conduct casefinding activities, including notification of availability of service in English and such other languages as may be appropriate to the service area, outreach services in areas with a high incidence of developmental disabilities, and identification of persons who may need service.

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(b) The department and the regional centers shall ensure that consumers and their families receive culturally and linguistically competent information, including written documents, about the individual program plan required by Section 4646, and the individualized family service plan required by Section 95020 of the Government Code, and related processes and procedures. Each regional center shall make available to the public information about regional center services, processes, and procedures. The department and the regional centers shall fulfill these obligations in a manner that meets the standards set forth in Sections 7295.2 and 7296.2 of the Government Code, and ensure that its materials are written in plain, straightforward language and in an easily readable style. The materials provided by the department and the regional centers shall also be available on the department’s and the regional centers’ Internet Web sites.

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begin insertSEC. 5.end insert  

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begin insertSection 4642 of the end insertbegin insertWelfare and Institutions Codeend insertbegin insert is amended to read:end insert

4642.  

begin insert(a)end insertbegin insertend insertbegin insert(1)end insertbegin insertend insertAny person believed to have a developmental disability, and any person believed to have a high risk of parenting a developmentally disabled infant shall be eligible for initial intake and assessment services in the regional centers. In addition, any infant having a high risk of becoming developmentally disabled may be eligible for initial intake and assessment services in the regional centers. For purposes of this section, “high-risk infant” means a child less than 36 months of age whose genetic, medical, or environmental history is predictive of a substantially greater risk for developmental disability than that for the general population. The department, in consultation with the State Department ofbegin insert Publicend insert Healthbegin delete Servicesend delete, shall develop specific risk and service criteria for the high-risk infant program on or before July 1, 1983. These criteria may be modified in subsequent years based on analysis of actual clinical experience.

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Initial

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begin insert (2)end insertbegin insertend insertbegin insertInitial end insertintake shall be performed within 15 working days following request for assistance. Initial intake shall include, but need not be limited to, information and advice about the nature and availability of services provided by the regional center and by other agencies in the community, including guardianship, conservatorship, income maintenance, mental health, housing, education, work activity and vocational training, medical, dental, recreational, and other services or programs that may be useful to persons with developmental disabilities or their families. Intake shall also include a decision to provide assessment.

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(b) All communication with the consumer and his or her family pursuant to this section shall be in their native language.

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begin insertSEC. 6.end insert  

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begin insertSection 4643 of the end insertbegin insertWelfare and Institutions Codeend insertbegin insert is amended to read:end insert

4643.  

(a) If assessment is needed, the assessment shall be performed within 120 days following initial intake. Assessment shall be performed as soon as possible and in no event more than 60 days following initial intake where any delay would expose the client to unnecessary risk to his or her health and safety or to significant further delay in mental or physical development, or the client would be at imminent risk of placement in a more restrictive environment. Assessment may include collection and review of available historical diagnostic data, provision or procurement of necessary tests and evaluations, and summarization of developmental levels and service needs and is conditional upon receipt of the release of information specified in subdivision (b).

(b) In determining if an individual meets the definition of developmental disability contained in subdivision (a) of Section 4512, the regional center may consider evaluations and tests, including, but not limited to, intelligence tests, adaptive functioning tests, neurological and neuropsychological tests, diagnostic tests performed by a physician, psychiatric tests, and other tests or evaluations that have been performed by, and are available from, other sources.

(c) At the time of assessment, the individual, or, where appropriate, the parents, legal guardian, or conservator, shall provide copies of any health benefit cards under which the consumer is eligible to receive health benefits, including, but not limited to, private health insurance, a health care service plan, Medi-Cal, Medicare, and TRICARE. If the individual, or where appropriate, the parents, legal guardians, or conservators, have no such benefits, the regional center shall not use that fact to negatively impact the services that the individual may or may not receive from the regional center.

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(d) All communication with the consumer and his or her family pursuant to this section shall be in their native language.

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begin insertSEC. 7.end insert  

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begin insertSection 4646 of the end insertbegin insertWelfare and Institutions Codeend insertbegin insert is amended to read:end insert

4646.  

(a) It is the intent of the Legislature to ensure that the individual program plan and provision of services and supports by the regional center system is centered on the individual and the family of the individual with developmental disabilities and takes into account the needs and preferences of the individual and the family, where appropriate, as well as promoting community integration, independent, productive, and normal lives, and stable and healthy environments. It is the further intent of the Legislature to ensure that the provision of services to consumers and their families be effective in meeting the goals stated in the individual program plan, reflect the preferences and choices of the consumer, and reflect the cost-effective use of public resources.

(b) The individual program plan is developed through a process of individualized needs determination. The individual with developmental disabilities and, where appropriate, his or her parents, legal guardian or conservator, or authorized representative, shall have the opportunity to actively participate in the development of the plan.

(c) An individual program plan shall be developed for any person who, following intake and assessment, is found to be eligible for regional center services. These plans shall be completed within 60 days of the completion of the assessment. At the time of intake, the regional center shall inform the consumer and, where appropriate, his or her parents, legal guardian or conservator, or authorized representative, of the services available through the local area board and the protection and advocacy agency designated by the Governor pursuant to federal law, and shall provide the address and telephone numbers of those agencies.

(d) Individual program plans shall be prepared jointly by the planning team. Decisions concerning the consumer’s goals, objectives, and services and supports that will be included in the consumer’s individual program plan and purchased by the regional center or obtained from generic agencies shall be made by agreement between the regional center representative and the consumer or, where appropriate, the parents, legal guardian, conservator, or authorized representative at the program plan meeting.

(e) Regional centers shall comply with the request of a consumer, or where appropriate, the request of his or her parents, legal guardian, conservator, or authorized representative, that a designated representative receive written notice of all meetings to develop or revise his or her individual program plan and of all notices sent to the consumer pursuant to Section 4710. The designated representative may be a parent or family member.

(f) If a final agreement regarding the services and supports to be provided to the consumer cannot be reached at a program plan meeting, then a subsequent program plan meeting shall be convened within 15 days, or later at the request of the consumer or, when appropriate, the parents, legal guardian, conservator, or authorized representative or when agreed to by the planning team. Additional program plan meetings may be held with the agreement of the regional center representative and the consumer or, where appropriate, the parents, legal guardian, conservator, or authorized representative.

(g) An authorized representative of the regional center and the consumer or, where appropriate, his or her parents, legal guardian, conservator, or authorized representative shall sign the individual program plan prior to its implementation. If the consumer or, where appropriate, his or her parents, legal guardian, conservator, or authorized representative, does not agree with all components of the plan, he or she may indicate that disagreement on the plan. Disagreement with specific plan components shall not prohibit the implementation of services and supports agreed to by the consumer or, where appropriate, his or her parents, legal guardian, conservator, or authorized representative. If the consumer or, where appropriate, his or her parents, legal guardian, conservator, or authorized representative, does not agree with the plan in whole or in part, he or she shall be sent written notice of the fair hearing rights, as required by Section 4701.

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(h) Individual program plans and the provision of services and supports shall be designed to meet the cultural preferences, values, and lifestyle of the individual and, when appropriate, his or her parent, legal guardian or conservator, or authorized representative, and shall be provided in their native language. A copy of the individual program plan shall be provided in their native language.

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begin insertSEC. 8.end insert  

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begin insertSection 4646.5 of the end insertbegin insertWelfare and Institutions Codeend insertbegin insert is amended to read:end insert

4646.5.  

(a) The planning process for the individual program plan described in Section 4646 shall include all of the following:

(1) Gathering information and conducting assessments to determine the life goals, capabilities and strengths, preferences, barriers, and concerns or problems of the person with developmental disabilities. For children with developmental disabilities, this process should include a review of the strengths, preferences, and needs of the child and the family unit as a whole. Assessments shall be conducted by qualified individuals and performed in natural environments whenever possible. Information shall be taken from the consumer, his or her parents and other family members, his or her friends, advocates, authorized representative, if applicable, providers of services and supports, and other agencies. The assessment process shall reflect awareness of, and sensitivity to, the lifestyle and cultural background of the consumer and the family.

(2) A statement of goals, based on the needs, preferences, and life choices of the individual with developmental disabilities, and a statement of specific, time-limited objectives for implementing the person’s goals and addressing his or her needs. These objectives shall be stated in terms that allow measurement of progress or monitoring of service delivery. These goals and objectives should maximize opportunities for the consumer to develop relationships, be part of community life in the areas of community participation, housing, work, school, and leisure, increase control over his or her life, acquire increasingly positive roles in community life, and develop competencies to help accomplish these goals.

(3) When developing individual program plans for children, regional centers shall be guided by the principles, process, and services and support parameters set forth in Section 4685.

(4) A schedule of the type and amount of services and supports to be purchased by the regional center or obtained from generic agencies or other resources in order to achieve the individual program plan goals and objectives, and identification of the provider or providers of service responsible for attaining each objective, including, but not limited to, vendors, contracted providers, generic service agencies, and natural supports. The individual program plan shall specify the approximate scheduled start date for services and supports and shall contain timelines for actions necessary to begin services and supports, including generic services.

(5) When agreed to by the consumer, the parents, legally appointed guardian, or authorized representative of a minor consumer, or the legally appointed conservator of an adult consumer or the authorized representative, including those appointed pursuant to subdivision (d) of Section 4548, subdivision (b) of Section 4701.6, and subdivision (e) of Section 4705, a review of the general health status of the adult or child, including medical, dental, and mental health needs, shall be conducted. This review shall include a discussion of current medications, any observed side effects, and the date of last review of the medication. Service providers shall cooperate with the planning team to provide any information necessary to complete the health status review. If any concerns are noted during the review, referrals shall be made to regional center clinicians or to the consumer’s physician, as appropriate. Documentation of health status and referrals shall be made in the consumer’s record by the service coordinator.

(6) (A) The development of a transportation access plan for a consumer when all of the following conditions are met:

(i) The regional center is purchasing private, specialized transportation services or services from a residential, day, or other provider, excluding vouchered service providers, to transport the consumer to and from day or work services.

(ii) The planning team has determined that a consumer’s community integration and participation could be safe and enhanced through the use of public transportation services.

(iii) The planning team has determined that generic transportation services are available and accessible.

(B) To maximize independence and community integration and participation, the transportation access plan shall identify the services and supports necessary to assist the consumer in accessing public transportation and shall comply with Section 4648.35. These services and supports may include, but are not limited to, mobility training services and the use of transportation aides. Regional centers are encouraged to coordinate with local public transportation agencies.

(7) A schedule of regular periodic review and reevaluation to ascertain that planned services have been provided, that objectives have been fulfilled within the times specified, and that consumers and families are satisfied with the individual program plan and its implementation.

(b) For all active cases, individual program plans shall be reviewed and modified by the planning team, through the process described in Section 4646, as necessary, in response to the person’s achievement or changing needs, and no less often than once every three years. If the consumer or, where appropriate, the consumer’s parents, legal guardian, authorized representative, or conservator requests an individual program plan review, the individual program shall be reviewed within 30 days after the request is submitted.

(c) (1) The department, with the participation of representatives of a statewide consumer organization, the Association of Regional Center Agencies, an organized labor organization representing service coordination staff, and the Organization of Area Boards shall prepare training material and a standard format and instructions for the preparation of individual program plans, which embodies an approach centered on the person and family.

(2) Each regional center shall use the training materials and format prepared by the department pursuant to paragraph (1).

(3) The department shall biennially review a random sample of individual program plans at each regional center to ensure that these plans are being developed and modified in compliance with Section 4646 and this section.

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(d) This section shall be implemented in a manner that meets the cultural preferences, values, lifestyle, and native language of the individual and, when appropriate, his or her parent, legal guardian or conservator, or authorized representative.

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begin insertSEC. 9.end insert  

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begin insertSection 4648 of the end insertbegin insertWelfare and Institutions Codeend insertbegin insert is amended to read:end insert

4648.  

In order to achieve the stated objectives of a consumer’s individual program plan, the regional center shall conduct activities, including, but not limited to, all of the following:

(a) Securing needed services and supports.

(1) It is the intent of the Legislature that services and supports assist individuals with developmental disabilities in achieving the greatest self-sufficiency possible and in exercising personal choices. The regional center shall secure services and supports that meet the needs of the consumer, as determined in the consumer’s individual program plan, and within the context of the individual program plan, the planning team shall give highest preference to those services and supports which would allow minors with developmental disabilities to live with their families, adult persons with developmental disabilities to live as independently as possible in the community, and that allow all consumers to interact with persons without disabilities in positive, meaningful ways.

(2) In implementing individual program plans, regional centers, through the planning team, shall first consider services and supports in natural community, home, work, and recreational settings. Services and supports shall be flexible and individually tailored to the consumer and, where appropriate, his or her family.

(3) A regional center may, pursuant to vendorization or a contract, purchase services or supports for a consumer from any individual or agency which the regional center and consumer or, where appropriate, his or her parents, legal guardian, or conservator, or authorized representatives, determines will best accomplish all or any part of that consumer’s program plan.

(A) Vendorization or contracting is the process for identification, selection, and utilization of service vendors or contractors, based on the qualifications and other requirements necessary in order to provide the service.

(B) A regional center may reimburse an individual or agency for services or supports provided to a regional center consumer if the individual or agency has a rate of payment for vendored or contracted services established by the department, pursuant to this division, and is providing services pursuant to an emergency vendorization or has completed the vendorization procedures or has entered into a contract with the regional center and continues to comply with the vendorization or contracting requirements. The director shall adopt regulations governing the vendorization process to be utilized by the department, regional centers, vendors and the individual or agency requesting vendorization.

(C) Regulations shall include, but not be limited to: the vendor application process, and the basis for accepting or denying an application; the qualification and requirements for each category of services that may be provided to a regional center consumer through a vendor; requirements for emergency vendorization; procedures for termination of vendorization; the procedure for an individual or an agency to appeal any vendorization decision made by the department or regional center.

(D) A regional center may vendorize a licensed facility for exclusive services to persons with developmental disabilities at a capacity equal to or less than the facility’s licensed capacity. A facility already licensed on January 1, 1999, shall continue to be vendorized at their full licensed capacity until the facility agrees to vendorization at a reduced capacity.

(E) Effective July 1, 2009, notwithstanding any other provision of law or regulation to the contrary, a regional center shall not newly vendor a State Department of Social Services licensed 24-hour residential care facility with a licensed capacity of 16 or more beds, unless the facility qualifies for receipt of federal funds under the Medicaid Program.

(4) Notwithstanding subparagraph (B), a regional center may contract or issue a voucher for services and supports provided to a consumer or family at a cost not to exceed the maximum rate of payment for that service or support established by the department. If a rate has not been established by the department, the regional center may, for an interim period, contract for a specified service or support with, and establish a rate of payment for, any provider of the service or support necessary to implement a consumer’s individual program plan. Contracts may be negotiated for a period of up to three years, with annual review and subject to the availability of funds.

(5) In order to ensure the maximum flexibility and availability of appropriate services and supports for persons with developmental disabilities, the department shall establish and maintain an equitable system of payment to providers of services and supports identified as necessary to the implementation of a consumers’ individual program plan. The system of payment shall include provision for a rate to ensure that the provider can meet the special needs of consumers and provide quality services and supports in the least restrictive setting as required by law.

(6) The regional center and the consumer, or where appropriate, his or her parents, legal guardian, conservator, or authorized representative, including those appointed pursuant to subdivision (d) of Section 4548, subdivision (b) of Section 4701.6, or subdivision (e) of Section 4705, shall, pursuant to the individual program plan, consider all of the following when selecting a provider of consumer services and supports:

(A) A provider’s ability to deliver quality services or supports which can accomplish all or part of the consumer’s individual program plan.

(B) A provider’s success in achieving the objectives set forth in the individual program plan.

(C) Where appropriate, the existence of licensing, accreditation, or professional certification.

(D) The cost of providing services or supports of comparable quality by different providers, if available, shall be reviewed, and the least costly available provider of comparable service, including the cost of transportation, who is able to accomplish all or part of the consumer’s individual program plan, consistent with the particular needs of the consumer and family as identified in the individual program plan, shall be selected. In determining the least costly provider, the availability of federal financial participation shall be considered. The consumer shall not be required to use the least costly provider if it will result in the consumer moving from an existing provider of services or supports to more restrictive or less integrated services or supports.

(E) The consumer’s choice of providers, or, where appropriate, the consumer’s parent’s, legal guardian’s, authorized representative’s, or conservator’s choice of providers.

(7) No service or support provided by any agency or individual shall be continued unless the consumer or, where appropriate, his or her parents, legal guardian, or conservator, or authorized representative, including those appointed pursuant to subdivision (d) of Section 4548, subdivision (b) of Section 4701.6, or subdivision (e) of Section 4705, is satisfied and the regional center and the consumer or, when appropriate, the person’s parents or legal guardian or conservator agree that planned services and supports have been provided, and reasonable progress toward objectives have been made.

(8) Regional center funds shall not be used to supplant the budget of any agency which has a legal responsibility to serve all members of the general public and is receiving public funds for providing those services.

(9) (A) A regional center may, directly or through an agency acting on behalf of the center, provide placement in, purchase of, or follow-along services to persons with developmental disabilities in, appropriate community living arrangements, including, but not limited to, support service for consumers in homes they own or lease, foster family placements, health care facilities, and licensed community care facilities. In considering appropriate placement alternatives for children with developmental disabilities, approval by the child’s parent or guardian shall be obtained before placement is made.

(B) Effective July 1, 2012, notwithstanding any other provision of law or regulation to the contrary, a regional center shall not purchase residential services from a State Department of Social Services licensed 24-hour residential care facility with a licensed capacity of 16 or more beds. This prohibition on regional center purchase of residential services shall not apply to any of the following:

(i) A residential facility with a licensed capacity of 16 or more beds that has been approved to participate in the department’s Home and Community Based Services Waiver or another existing waiver program or certified to participate in the Medi-Cal program.

(ii) A residential facility service provider that has a written agreement and specific plan prior to July 1, 2012, with the vendoring regional center to downsize the existing facility by transitioning its residential services to living arrangements of 15 beds or less or restructure the large facility to meet federal Medicaid eligibility requirements on or before June 30, 2013.

(iii) A residential facility licensed as a mental health rehabilitation center by the State Department of Mental Health or successor agency under any of the following circumstances:

(I) The facility is eligible for Medicaid reimbursement.

(II) The facility has a department-approved plan in place by June 30, 2013, to transition to a program structure eligible for federal Medicaid funding, and this transition will be completed by June 30, 2014. The department may grant an extension for the date by which the transition will be completed if the facility demonstrates that it has made significant progress toward transition, and states with specificity the timeframe by which the transition will be completed and the specified steps that will be taken to accomplish the transition. A regional center may pay for the costs of care and treatment of a consumer residing in the facility on June 30, 2012, until June 30, 2013, inclusive, and, if the facility has a department-approved plan in place by June 30, 2013, may continue to pay the costs under this subparagraph until June 30, 2014, or until the end of any period during which the department has granted an extension.

(III) There is an emergency circumstance in which the regional center determines that it cannot locate alternate federally eligible services to meet the consumer’s needs. Under such an emergency circumstance, an assessment shall be completed by the regional center as soon as possible and within 30 days of admission. An individual program plan meeting shall be convened immediately following the assessment to determine the services and supports needed for stabilization and to develop a plan to transition the consumer from the facility into the community. If transition is not expected within 90 days of admission, an individual program plan meeting shall be held to discuss the status of transition and to determine if the consumer is still in need of placement in the facility. Commencing October 1, 2012, this determination shall be made after also considering resource options identified by the statewide specialized resource service. If it is determined that emergency services continue to be necessary, the regional center shall submit an updated transition plan that can cover a period of up to 90 days. In no event shall placements under these emergency circumstances exceed 180 days.

(C) (i) Effective July 1, 2012, notwithstanding any other provision of law or regulation to the contrary, a regional center shall not purchase new residential services from institutions for mental disease, as described in Part 5 (commencing with Section 5900) of Division 5, for which federal Medicaid funding is not available.

(ii) The prohibition described in clause (i) shall not apply to emergencies, as determined by the regional center, when a regional center cannot locate alternate federally eligible services to meet the consumer’s needs. As soon as possible within 30 days of admission due to an emergency, an assessment shall be completed by the regional center. An individual program plan meeting shall be convened immediately following the assessment, to determine the services and supports needed for stabilization and to develop a plan to transition the consumer from the facility to the community. If transition is not expected within 90 days of admission, an emergency, program plan meeting shall be held to discuss the status of transition and to determine if the consumer is still in need of placement in the facility. If emergency services continue to be necessary, the regional center shall submit an updated transition plan to the department for an extension of up to 90 days. Placement shall not exceed 180 days.

(iii) Regional centers shall complete a comprehensive assessment of any consumer residing in an institution for mental disease as of July 1, 2012, for which federal Medicaid funding is not available. The comprehensive assessment shall be completed prior to the consumer’s next scheduled individual program plan meeting and shall include identification of the services and supports needed and the timeline for identifying or developing those services needed to transition the consumer back to the community. Effective October 1, 2012, the regional center shall also consider resource options identified by the statewide specialized resource service. For each individual program plan meeting convened pursuant to this subparagraph, the clients’ rights advocate for the regional center shall be notified of the meeting and may participate in the meeting unless the consumer objects on his or her own behalf.

(D) Each person with developmental disabilities placed by the regional center in a community living arrangement shall have the rights specified in this division. These rights shall be brought to the person’s attention by any means necessary to reasonably communicate these rights to each resident, provided that, at a minimum, the Director of Developmental Services prepare, provide, and require to be clearly posted in all residential facilities and day programs a poster using simplified language and pictures that is designed to be more understandable by persons with cognitive disabilities and that the rights information shall also be available through the regional center to each residential facility and day program in alternative formats, including, but not limited to, other languages, braille, and audio tapes, when necessary to meet the communication needs of consumers.

(E) Consumers are eligible to receive supplemental services including, but not limited to, additional staffing, pursuant to the process described in subdivision (d) of Section 4646. Necessary additional staffing that is not specifically included in the rates paid to the service provider may be purchased by the regional center if the additional staff are in excess of the amount required by regulation and the individual’s planning team determines the additional services are consistent with the provisions of the individual program plan. Additional staff should be periodically reviewed by the planning team for consistency with the individual program plan objectives in order to determine if continued use of the additional staff is necessary and appropriate and if the service is producing outcomes consistent with the individual program plan. Regional centers shall monitor programs to ensure that the additional staff is being provided and utilized appropriately.

(10) Emergency and crisis intervention services including, but not limited to, mental health services and behavior modification services, may be provided, as needed, to maintain persons with developmental disabilities in the living arrangement of their own choice. Crisis services shall first be provided without disrupting a person’s living arrangement. If crisis intervention services are unsuccessful, emergency housing shall be available in the person’s home community. If dislocation cannot be avoided, every effort shall be made to return the person to his or her living arrangement of choice, with all necessary supports, as soon as possible.

(11) Among other service and support options, planning teams shall consider the use of paid roommates or neighbors, personal assistance, technical and financial assistance, and all other service and support options which would result in greater self-sufficiency for the consumer and cost-effectiveness to the state.

(12) When facilitation as specified in an individual program plan requires the services of an individual, the facilitator shall be of the consumer’s choosing.

(13) The community support may be provided to assist individuals with developmental disabilities to fully participate in community and civic life, including, but not limited to, programs, services, work opportunities, business, and activities available to persons without disabilities. This facilitation shall include, but not be limited to, any of the following:

(A) Outreach and education to programs and services within the community.

(B) Direct support to individuals which would enable them to more fully participate in their community.

(C) Developing unpaid natural supports when possible.

(14) When feasible and recommended by the individual program planning team, for purposes of facilitating better and cost-effective services for consumers or family members, technology, including telecommunication technology, may be used in conjunction with other services and supports. Technology in lieu of a consumer’s in-person appearances at judicial proceedings or administrative due process hearings may be used only if the consumer or, when appropriate, the consumer’s parent, legal guardian, conservator, or authorized representative, gives informed consent. Technology may be used in lieu of, or in conjunction with, in-person training for providers, as appropriate.

(15) Other services and supports may be provided as set forth in Sections 4685, 4686, 4687, 4688, and 4689, when necessary.

(16) Notwithstanding any other provision of law or regulation to the contrary, effective July 1, 2009, regional centers shall not purchase experimental treatments, therapeutic services, or devices that have not been clinically determined or scientifically proven to be effective or safe or for which risks and complications are unknown. Experimental treatments or therapeutic services include experimental medical or nutritional therapy when the use of the product for that purpose is not a general physician practice. For regional center consumers receiving these services as part of their individual program plan (IPP) or individualized family service plan (IFSP) on July 1, 2009, this prohibition shall apply on August 1, 2009.

(b) (1) Advocacy for, and protection of, the civil, legal, and service rights of persons with developmental disabilities as established in this division.

(2) Whenever the advocacy efforts of a regional center to secure or protect the civil, legal, or service rights of any of its consumers prove ineffective, the regional center or the person with developmental disabilities or his or her parents, legal guardian, or other representative may request the area board to initiate action under the provisions defining area board advocacy functions established in this division.

(c) The regional center may assist consumers and families directly, or through a provider, in identifying and building circles of support within the community.

(d) In order to increase the quality of community services and protect consumers, the regional center shall, when appropriate, take either of the following actions:

(1) Identify services and supports that are ineffective or of poor quality and provide or secure consultation, training, or technical assistance services for any agency or individual provider to assist that agency or individual provider in upgrading the quality of services or supports.

(2) Identify providers of services or supports that may not be in compliance with local, state, and federal statutes and regulations and notify the appropriate licensing or regulatory authority, or request the area board to investigate the possible noncompliance.

(e) When necessary to expand the availability of needed services of good quality, a regional center may take actions that include, but are not limited to, the following:

(1) Soliciting an individual or agency by requests for proposals or other means, to provide needed services or supports not presently available.

(2) Requesting funds from the Program Development Fund, pursuant to Section 4677, or community placement plan funds designated from that fund, to reimburse the startup costs needed to initiate a new program of services and supports.

(3) Using creative and innovative service delivery models, including, but not limited to, natural supports.

(f) Except in emergency situations, a regional center shall not provide direct treatment and therapeutic services, but shall utilize appropriate public and private community agencies and service providers to obtain those services for its consumers.

(g) Where there are identified gaps in the system of services and supports or where there are identified consumers for whom no provider will provide services and supports contained in his or her individual program plan, the department may provide the services and supports directly.

(h) At least annually, regional centers shall provide the consumer, his or her parents, legal guardian, conservator, or authorized representative a statement of services and supports the regional center purchased for the purpose of ensuring that they are delivered. The statement shall include the type, unit, month, and cost of services and supports purchased.

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(i) Ensuring that individual program plans and the provision of services and supports shall be designed to meet the cultural preferences, values, and lifestyle of the individual and, when appropriate, his or her parent, legal guardian or conservator, or authorized representative, and shall be provided in their native language.

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begin insertSEC. 10.end insert  

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begin insertSection 4685 of the end insertbegin insertWelfare and Institutions Codeend insertbegin insert is amended to read:end insert

4685.  

(a) Consistent with state and federal law, the Legislature finds and declares that children with developmental disabilities most often have greater opportunities for educational and social growth when they live with their families. The Legislature further finds and declares that the cost of providing necessary services and supports which enable a child with developmental disabilities to live at home is typically equal to or lower than the cost of providing out-of-home placement. The Legislature places a high priority on providing opportunities for children with developmental disabilities to live with their families, when living at home is the preferred objective in the child’s individual program plan.

(b) It is the intent of the Legislature that regional centers provide or secure family support services that do all of the following:

(1) Respect and support the decisionmaking authority of the family.

(2) Be flexible and creative in meeting the unique and individual needs of families as they evolve over time.

(3) Recognize and build on family strengths, natural supports, and existing community resources.

(4) Be designed to meet the cultural preferences,begin insert native language,end insert values, and lifestyles of families.

(5) Focus on the entire family and promote the inclusion of children with disabilities in all aspects of school and community.

(c) In order to provide opportunities for children to live with their families, the following procedures shall be adopted:

(1) The department and regional centers shall give a very high priority to the development and expansion of services and supports designed to assist families that are caring for their children at home, when that is the preferred objective in the individual program plan. This assistance may include, but is not limited to specialized medical and dental care, special training for parents, infant stimulation programs, respite for parents, homemaker services, camping, day care, short-term out-of-home care, child care, counseling, mental health services, behavior modification programs, special adaptive equipment such as wheelchairs, hospital beds, communication devices, and other necessary appliances and supplies, and advocacy to assist persons in securing income maintenance, educational services, and other benefits to which they are entitled.

(2) When children with developmental disabilities live with their families, the individual program plan shall include a family plan component which describes those services and supports necessary to successfully maintain the child at home. Regional centers shall consider every possible way to assist families in maintaining their children at home, when living at home will be in the best interest of the child, before considering out-of-home placement alternatives. When the regional center first becomes aware that a family may consider an out-of-home placement, or is in need of additional specialized services to assist in caring for the child in the home, the regional center shall meet with the family to discuss the situation and the family’s current needs, solicit from the family what supports would be necessary to maintain the child in the home, and utilize creative and innovative ways of meeting the family’s needs and providing adequate supports to keep the family together, if possible.

(3) (A) To ensure that these services and supports are provided in the most cost-effective and beneficial manner, regional centers may utilize innovative service-delivery mechanisms, including, but not limited to, vouchers; alternative respite options such as foster families, vacant community facility beds, crisis child care facilities; group training for parents on behavioral intervention techniques in lieu of some or all of the in-home parent training component of the behavioral intervention services; purchase of neighborhood preschool services and needed qualified personnel in lieu of infant development programs; and alternative child care options such as supplemental support to generic child care facilities and parent child care cooperatives.

(B) Effective July 1, 2009, at the time of development, review, or modification of a child’s individualized family service plan or individual program plan, the regional center shall consider both of the following:

(i) The use of group training for parents on behavioral intervention techniques in lieu of some or all of the in-home parent training component of the behavioral intervention services.

(ii) The purchase of neighborhood preschool services and needed qualified personnel in lieu of infant development programs.

(4) If the parent of any child receiving services and supports from a regional center believes that the regional center is not offering adequate assistance to enable the family to keep the child at home, the parent may initiate a request for fair hearing as established in this division. A family shall not be required to start a placement process or to commit to placing a child in order to receive requested services.

(5) Nothing in this section shall be construed to encourage the continued residency of adult children in the home of their parents when that residency is not in the best interests of the person.

(6) When purchasing or providing a voucher for day care services for parents who are caring for children at home, the regional center may pay only the cost of the day care service that exceeds the cost of providing day care services to a child without disabilities. The regional center may pay in excess of this amount when a family can demonstrate a financial need and when doing so will enable the child to remain in the family home.

(7) A regional center may purchase or provide a voucher for diapers for children three years of age or older. A regional center may purchase or provide vouchers for diapers under three years of age when a family can demonstrate a financial need and when doing so will enable the child to remain in the family home.

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SECTION 1.  

It is the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation that would require an individual program plan, or individual family services plan, to consider the needs of the consumer, and his or her family, in order to provide services and supports in a culturally and linguistically appropriate manner.

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