Report 2021-107 Recommendation 1 Responses

Report 2021-107: Department of Developmental Services: It Has Not Ensured That Regional Centers Have the Necessary Resources to Effectively Serve Californians With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (Release Date: June 2022)

Recommendation #1 To: Developmental Services, Department of

To ensure that regional centers can better meet the required caseload ratios for all consumer groups, DDS should work with the regional centers, the Association of Regional Center Agencies (ARCA), and other state entities as necessary to update the core staffing formula to align with actual regional center staffing costs by June 2023.

Annual Follow-Up Agency Response From June 2024

DDS continues to advocate for regional center Operations funding so they can meet their statutory obligations and provide effective case management to individuals and families. Both the FY 2023-24 and the FY 2024-25 Budget approved by the Legislature include targeted augmentations to support recent service coordinator staffing adjustments at the state equivalent. While most regional centers have made progress in reducing caseload ratios, the staffing crisis has impacted all regional centers' efforts.

Discussions will continue as DDS reviews regional center Operations funding, the current core staffing model and potential alternative methodologies. Regional center Operations funding will likely be a topic of discussion in the development of the Developmental Services Master Plan.

California State Auditor's Assessment of Annual Follow-Up Status: Pending

1-Year Agency Response

DDS continued meeting with the ARCA regarding their input and recommendations on the current core staffing model. This included technical assistance on ARCA's proposal to update the Operations funding model. The 2023-24 Budget approved by the Legislature includes targeted augmentations to support recent service coordinator staffing adjustments at the state equivalent rates.

Discussions will continue as DDS reviews regional center Operations funding, the current core staffing model and potential alternative methodologies.

California State Auditor's Assessment of 1-Year Status: Pending

6-Month Agency Response

As part of the Governor's Budget development, DDS evaluated assumptions used in policy estimates methodologies for updates or corrections based on regional center experience. This will continue with the May Revision development.

Additionally, DDS met with representatives from the Association of Regional Center Agencies this fall to discuss alternatives to simplify the allocation methodology for annual operations.

California State Auditor's Assessment of 6-Month Status: Pending

60-Day Agency Response

DDS had an initial meeting with the Association of Regional Center Agencies regarding their input and recommendations on the current core staffing model. Discussions will continue as DDS reviews regional center Operations funding, the current core staffing model and potential alternative methodologies.

California State Auditor's Assessment of 60-Day Status: Pending

All Recommendations in 2021-107

Agency responses received are posted verbatim.