How to Become a Service Provider
Service providers, also known as vendors, offer a variety of services for regional center consumers and their families.
The process of becoming a vendor with the regional center system is called vendorization. The regulations regarding this process are located within Title 17, including section 54310 through 54344. Many components necessary for vendorization of specific services are also located throughout Title 17 and other related statute.
If you have decided you would like to pursue vendorization within the North Los Angeles County Regional Center (NLACRC) catchment area and you would like step by step, technical assistance with the vendorization process, the first step would be to submit a proposal during one of the applicable development cycles listed below. A proposal is comprised of specific documents requested by NLACRC which demonstrate that the applicant possesses the necessary, relevant professional experience and organizational capacity to create and sustain high-quality, effective, and long-term services for consumers within the NLACRC catchment area.
Vendors whose proposal submissions meet the requirements of the development cycle will be assigned to a Resource Developer. The Resource Developer will provide technical assistance in completing the necessary components for vendorization, including but not limited to adherence to Title 17 regulations, NLACRC Service Standards, and local, state, and federal monitoring agency requirements. Upon completion of the technical assistance phase, the vendor will enter into a contract of service with NLACRC at which point the vendor will be approved to provide services.
Development Cycles
NLACRC conducts three different types of development cycles:
Open Proposal (OPP)
The Open Proposal Period (OPP) cycle is typically conducted in winter. The OPP cycle is an open submission period wherein a potential NLACRC service provider can submit a proposal for any currently vendorizable service/service code per California Code of Regulations Title 17 § 54342 Types of Services. OPP submissions are not eligible for start-up funding.
Request for Vendorization (RFV)
The Request for Vendorization (RFV) cycle is typically conducted in summer. The RFV cycle requests for specific services that are identified as critical needs within the NLACRC catchment area. During the RFV cycle NLACRC only accepts proposals for the projects which have been identified as highly needed within the NLACRC catchment area. RFV submissions are not eligible for start-up funding.
Request for Proposal (RFP)
The Request for Proposal (RFP) cycle is typically conducted annually. During the RFP cycle, NLACRC seeks approval from the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) through the Community Placement Plan (CPP) and Community Resource Development Plan (CRDP) to reduce the reliance on the use of developmental center and other restrictive living environments. The CPP and CRDP provide funding to the regional centers for the development of a variety of resources, including, but not limited, to residential development, transportation, day services, and mental health and crisis services, within individuals’ communities consistent with resource development as described in Welfare and Institutions Code sections 4418.25 and 4679(a).
For all inquiries regarding the vendor process, we recommend that you review the FAQs About Vendorization. Additionally, the Department of Developmental Disabilities (DDS) website Vendor/Provider Information – CA Department of Developmental Services is a great place to learn more information about the regional center system, vendorization process, rules, and regulations. If you are interested in providing services through the Self Determination Program (SDP), please visit the Self-Determination Program for more information.
NLACRC Vendor Approval Process
FAQs About Vendorization
What is vendorization and what is its purpose?
Vendorization is the process for identification, selection, and utilization of service providers based on the qualifications and other requirements necessary in order to provide the services. The vendorization process allows regional centers to verify, prior to the provision of services to consumers, that an applicant meets all of the requirements and standards specified in regulations. Applicants who meet the specified requirements and standards are assigned a unique vendor identification number and service code.
Are service providers vendored by DDS or regional centers?
DDS does not vendor service providers. Service providers are vendored by the regional center in whose catchment area the service is located, known as the vendoring regional center. Although vendors are prohibited from being vendored by more than one regional center, a vendored service provider may be utilized by non-vendoring regional centers, known as “user” or “utilizing” regional centers, as well as the vendoring regional center. The vendor identification number assigned by the vendoring regional center must be used by all regional centers purchasing the vendored service. (Title 17, CCR, Sections 54326(a)(14) and 54340(a)).
What are the different roles of the Department and regional centers in vendoring service providers?
The vendoring regional center is responsible for ensuring that the applicant meets licensing and Title 17 requirements for vendorization, determining the appropriate vendor category for the service to be provided, and approving or disapproving vendorization based upon their review of the documentation submitted by the applicant. Although not involved in the vendorization process, the Department does establish rates for community-based day programs, infant development program, independent living services, work activity program, supported employment, and respite agencies after completion of vendorization.
What documentation do I need to submit to the regional center when requesting vendorization?
In addition to a Vendor Application (Form DS 1890), applicants must submit the documentation specified in Title 17, Section 54310. Contact your local regional center for a vendorization package.
If I meet all of the requirements, must a regional center vendor me?
A regional center must vendor an applicant who meets all the requirements for the service to be provided if the service is to be provided in that regional center’s catchment area. While a program cannot be denied vendorization due to a perceived lack of need for the service by the vendoring regional center, vendorization in no way obligates that regional center to
purchase service from that vendor. (Title 17, Section 54320)
How long might the vendorization process take?
Once a potential service provider has obtained all necessary licenses, submitted a complete application and all necessary documentation to the vendoring regional center, the regional center has 45 days to approve or disapprove vendorization. (Title 17, Sections 54320, 54322, 54380)
Do I have to be vendored by each regional center that uses my service?
No. You must be vendored by the regional center in whose catchment area you are located only. Once vendored, any regional center may refer consumers to that program.
How can I determine in which regional center’s catchment area my program/service is located?
Location for site-based programs is determined based upon the address of the program site. For programs which are conducted solely in the community, location is determined based upon the vendor’s business address. (link to map/list of regional centers’ catchment areas) (Title 17, Section 54340)
Does my program have to be licensed?
Most site-based programs have to be licensed by the Departments of Social Services or Health Services (See Title 17, Sections 54342, 56740, 56760(a)(1)).
Where do I find licensing requirements?
Department of Social Services’ licensing requirements may be found in Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations. For Department of Health Services licensing requirements, call (916) 445-2070.
What are community-based day programs?
Community-based day programs are programs which provide services to individuals on less than a 24-hour basis in the community. Per regulations, only activity centers, adult development centers, behavior management programs, independent living programs, infant development programs, and social recreation programs, work activity program are community-based day programs. Requirements for community-based day programs are discussed in Title 17, Sections 56710 through 56774.
What are miscellaneous services?
Miscellaneous services are goods or services which are not similar to any of the descriptions of goods or services specified in regulations. A new miscellaneous service code must be requested by the regional center and approved by the Department prior to vendorization of that service. Once a miscellaneous service code has been established for a specific good or service, that service code may be utilized by any regional center if required to meet consumer(s) needs. (Title 17, Section 54356)
What is the importance of a vendor number or a service code?
The vendor number provides an identification number unique to each vendor. The service code identifies the type(s) of service provided by that vendor. The vendor number and service code are assigned for the purpose of identifying providers of a specific type(s) of service and allowing tracking of expenditures by vendor and/or service type.
Are regional centers restricted to purchasing services from vendored service providers only? Are there exceptions?
Yes. Regional centers are prohibited from referring any consumer to an applicant until the vendor application is approved and the regional center cannot reimburse a vendor for services provided before vendorization. However, if the regional center determines that the health or safety of a consumer is in jeopardy, and no current vendor is available to provide the needed service, the regional center may approve emergency vendorization. (Title 17, CCR, Sections 50612, 54324, 54326(c)(4))
What is emergency vendorization?
Emergency vendorization allows a regional center to approve vendorization of an applicant prior to completion of the vendorization process if the regional center determines that the health or safety of a consumer is in jeopardy and no current vendor is available to provide the needed service. If emergency vendorization is approved, the applicant may provide services for no more than 45 days, after which the emergency vendorization will lapse if the regional center does not approve vendorization within 45 days of the initial authorization. If a lapse of emergency vendorization occurs, the vendor will not be allowed to reapply for emergency vendorization. (Title 17, CCR, Section 54324)
If I move my program within the same regional center catchment area, what must I do?
You must notify the vendoring regional center, in writing, at least 30 days prior to the change in location. The new site for community based programs must be licensed prior to serving consumers, so any change in services must be figured into your timeframes. (Title 17, Section 54330)
If I move my program into a new regional center catchment area, what must I do?
You must notify the vendoring regional center, in writing, at least 30 days prior to the change in location. The new site for community based programs must be licensed prior to serving consumers, so any change in services must be figured into your timeframes. (Title 17, Section 54330)
Can State employees or regional center employees be vendored to provide services to regional center consumers?
Officers or employees of the State of California and regional center employees may not be vendored to provide services to consumers. (Title 17, Sections 54314, 54500 through 54525)
If I open a new/additional location(s), do I have to submit a new vendor application and request a new rate for the new program(s)?
Yes. Each location must be separately licensed and vendored and a separate rate must be established for the new/additional location(s). (Title 17, Section 54340 (a)(1)(A))
May I contract out for some of my direct care services?
No, all contracts state no subcontracting.
What appeal rights do I have?
A service provider may appeal 1) the denial of vendorization by a regional center, 2) a non-compliance with regulation by regional centers, or 3) the setting of a rate by the Department. There are also appeal provisions for audits. It is probably best to refer to regulations for the specifics of each type of appeal. (Title 17, Sections: Vendorization appeals, 54380, 54382, 54384, 54386, 54388, 54390; Rate appeals, 57940, 57941, 57942, 57944, 57946, 57948; Audit appeals, 50730, 50731, 50732, 50750, 50751, 50752, 50753, 50754, 50755)
Residential Facility Appeal – This is where a vendored community care facility may appeal the actions taken by a regional center regarding service level disapproval, sanctions, findings of substantial inadequacy or immediate danger, or enforcement of any requirement by the regional center which is not contained in Title 17, California Code of Regulations.
Vendorization Appeal – This process can be used to appeal a denial of vendorization application, termination of vendorization, or failure of a regional center to comply with regulations.
Rate Appeal – A vendor may appeal a rate set by the Department of Developmental Services based on errors by either the vendor or the Department, the effective date of the rate, or the denial of a rate adjustment request.
For a list of options vendors and providers have for filing appeals and complaints, please visit the DDS website.