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Important Message from NLACRC

June 16, 2025

Dear NLACRC Community,

Later this week, the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) will be releasing a directive urging all regional centers to actively support individuals and families in light of recent events. We are sharing this in advance to ensure our community are prepared and informed.

Please take a moment to read the DDS Directive at the link below:
Message to the Community: Protecting Access to Services and Supports for ALL Californians : CA Department of Developmental Services

Given reports that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) may receive information from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) regarding individuals without legal status, it is critical that we reassure our community: regional centers do not track or report immigration status.

In this interim period, we will be taking the following steps to ensure continuity of care and stability for the individuals we serve:

• Proactively reaching out to families to ensure urgent needs are addressed and services continue uninterrupted
• Continuing services even if a parent or guardian’s legal status changes
• Prioritizing updates to Individual Program Plans (IPPs) and Individual and Family Service Plans (IFSPs) to reflect evolving needs, such as increased time at home or canceled summer programming
• Offering remote meetings (IPPs and IFSPs) via phone or computer
• Allowing remote service delivery where appropriate (e.g., this does not apply to transportation or personal assistance)
• Expediting housing and transportation support for families who have been displaced

At the same time, we want to take this opportunity to remind the community about the confidentiality and privacy we are entrusted to protect as a regional center. At NLACRC, we take the privacy of individuals receiving services seriously and are committed to safeguarding their information. Regional Centers and service providers are legally required, in accordance with federal and state privacy laws, to protect the information of all individuals receiving services.

This means we are prohibited by law from disclosing any information about the individuals we support and their families to anyone who might call or email and request it—except in specific legal circumstances.

Per Welfare and Institutions Code (WIC) Section 4514, disclosure of confidential information and records requires written consent from the individual served or someone with legal authority to provide consent on their behalf.

On May 14, 2025, the Department of Developmental Services issued a directive to all regional centers regarding access to client information. Regional Centers and service providers are required to follow this directive at all times, whether providing services in private settings or public locations.

Additional information and tools can be found on our website: https://www.nlacrc.org/resource-center/

NLACRC is here to provide reassurance, information, and resources to our staff, service providers, and the community.

We stand united together.

با احترام
NLACRC