Summer is right around the corner, so now is the perfect time to start requesting extra support from your Regional Center to help make sure your kiddo’s needs are met. Every Regional Center does things a bit differently, but here are some common services to talk to your service coordinator about. Remember: it could take a while to get approval for the services you’re requesting, so start as soon as possible!
Respite + daycare
Your child may be home from school for the summer, but your work schedule doesn’t change, so who watches your child when they’d normally be at school? To make up the gap in child care hours, Regional Center could fund respite for you and/or daycare for your child. Check out our article Respite and Specialized Supervision 101 to learn more about the differences between these two services and who qualifies.
Social-recreational camps and classes
Ever since social-rec funding was restored in 2021, Regional Centers have helped fund summer camps, art classes, sports activities, music therapy, dance lessons, and more! To request this funding for your child, you’ll need to make sure their IPP goals support it.
For example, say your child wants to be able to prepare their own meals in the future. To break down that long-term vision into something more concrete for an IPP goal, your child could focus on age-appropriate kitchen safety, like how to use knives and operate a stove, oven, or microwave. Taking a cooking class would support this goal, so the IPP could include asking for a cooking class to be funded. You can read all about tackling this process in How to Create IPP/IFSP Goals.
Regional Center may also fund a 1:1 inclusion aide to help your child participate in a summer camp or class. See our article Frequently Asked Questions about Regional Center Summer Services for more information on when Regional Center will step in and how to make this request.
Psst: did you catch our annual roundup of disability-friendly summer camps in California? Our list is more comprehensive than ever, and many camps are still accepting applications, so check out California Summer Camps for Kids With Disabilities: 2024 Edition.
How to get started
Whether your child accesses Regional Center services through the traditional route or the Self-Determination Program (SDP), requesting extra services starts with reviewing your child’s IPP and reaching out to your service coordinator.
- If you feel that the traditional summer supports that your child has been receiving isn’t quite enough, you might be thinking about transitioning from traditional Regional Center services to SDP. SDP gives people with disabilities more freedom, control, and responsibility to choose the services and supports that help them meet their goals and be fully included in their community. And there are many approved services, including recreational activities! For more in-depth information about Self-Determination, check out our article Frequently Asked Questions about the Self-Determination Program.
Be sure to read How to Get the Most Out of Regional Center This Summer for more tips and details about requesting daycare, social-rec funding, aides, and other support to help your child have an enriching summer!
If you’re interested in 1:1 support in this process, reach out to learn more about becoming an Undivided member. Undivided members can access our step-by-step guide to requesting additional services and/or funding from Regional Center for the summer in the Undivided app with links, templates, and easy-to-follow instructions that walk parents through the process with personal help from a Navigator.
One parent shared: “I started a trial with the Undivided app about 7 months ago, quickly saw the value, and became a subscriber! I was connected with my Navigator, and she has helped me accomplish an astounding amount during this time. Here are just a few of the things my Navigator and the Undivided team have helped me accomplish/navigate:
- Respite and daycare funded through Regional Center for two kids
- Getting two kids set up in the Self-Determination program (we’re almost there; just waiting for the actual budget)
- Applying for the Medi-Cal waiver
- Getting ADHD, PT, and OT assessments and services in place
My kids are complex and managing support needs for them both simultaneously can be overwhelming, but my Navigator has helped me stay sane and moving forward. Thank you SO MUCH to the whole Undivided team! I am so glad this community exists.”
Office Hours with Lisa Carey
On Wednesday, May 15, 12:00-1:00 p.m. PT, Education Advocate Lisa Carey will be available to answer questions about IEPs and special education. Stop by for five minutes or the whole hour to get expert answers and connect with other parents. Bi-weekly Office Hours are virtual Q&A sessions with experts that are open to Undivided members only, so if you’d like to attend, sign up here if you’d like to attend!
- How do you find vendors that work with your Regional Center? Listen to these tips on YouTube→
- We were so excited to see Undivided families and meet new ones at the recent Epilepsy Walk Los Angeles! Check it out on Instagram→
- Is your child or teen attending a disability-friendly camp this summer? We’d love to hear where! Share in our private Facebook group for parents→
- Looking for more resources in the disability community? Connect with us on LinkedIn→
- Not yet a Regional Center client or not sure if your child is eligible? Sign up for a free Kickstart to get help from an Undivided Navigator! Start here→
