News

Message from Board of Trustees and NLACRC Leadership

July 17, 2024

DDS received continued concerns about the board governance, organizational strength, workforce deficits leading to extraordinarily high caseload ratios and the ability of North Los Angeles County Regional Center to fulfill its obligations to the individuals and families it serves.

As it has in the past with other regional centers facing similar situations, DDS entered with NLACRC in a special contract that clearly states the expectations and the requirement to enter into an agreement with a consulting organization assigned by DDS as part of the training and technical assistant support to assist NLACRC in improving the areas of concern. A team of additional consultants will also be assisting to achieve the outcomes as stipulated in the contract.

The consultant organization will assist us in the following:

• will provide ongoing program support, management, and administration for a period of six (6) months.
• shall assist the Board of Trustees with hiring an Executive Director for the regional center.
• will assess processes for how decisions are made by regional center management to evaluate how staff displays teamwork, consumer and family-centered values, and implementation of the Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Services Act.
• will support NLACRC in continuing to establish strategies and measures to include, but not limited to, caseload ratios being significantly reduced, and progress is made towards statutory compliance.
• will assist in addressing and remediating the culture within the regional center to ensure the regional center’s mission, vision and actions are aligned with the principles of the Lanterman Act and instilled throughout the organization.
• shall assist with assessing the training needs of its staff and with submitting to DDS for approval a comprehensive plan to implement essential training of all regional center employees regarding the core tenets of the Lanterman Act.
• will assist in developing or amending an outreach strategy to engage community members and organizations, identify issues and concerns, promote open communication, and maintain a collaborative relationship.
• will assist in assessing its Board training needs and updating the training plan.

North Los Angeles County Regional Center (NLACRC) appreciates the ongoing support provided by the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) and the recognition of some of the efforts our center has already made in addressing the concerns received.  We look forward to working with the identified experts, take the necessary and proactive steps to remedy issues that have been brought to our attention and raised by DDS, and restore faith in our organization from our community. 

NLACRC and its Board of Trustees take all complaints, formal and otherwise, seriously, and is continuously working to improve internal processes and policies to resolve issues that may impact the individuals we serve, their families, and employees and intend to fully abide by and cooperate with the recommendations made by the Department.

View NLACRC Special Contract Language