Report 2021-120 Recommendation 11 Responses

Report 2021-120: In-Home Respite Services: The Department of Developmental Services Has Not Adequately Reduced Barriers to Some Families' Use of In-Home Respite Services (Release Date: August 2022)

Recommendation #11 To: Developmental Services, Department of

DDS should amend its contracts with the 21 regional centers by February 2023 to direct them to train their service coordinators to explain the benefits of each of the in-home respite service delivery options so that families can determine which option will work best for them.

Annual Follow-Up Agency Response From March 2025

DDS maintains the position that contract language is not needed, with passage of SB 138 and establishment of statutory language in WIC section 4435.1(c), requiring statewide uniformity and consistency in the administrative practices and services of regional centers for in-home respite services. DDS is working with subject matter experts and initiated a work group tasked with implementation of WIC section 4435.1(c). The standardized respite assessment tool (now known as the standardized family support tool) and procedures will include information on the benefits of respite. WIC section 4435.1(c) requires that regional centers obtain information about respite needs from family members, and when appropriate, from other caregivers. Additionally, training will be provided to service coordinators to assist with implementation of these standardized procedures.

Standardized procedures and a template for assessing an individual's respite service needs must be completed by June 30, 2025, with regional centers required to implement them beginning January 1, 2026.

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

Annual Follow-Up Agency Response From August 2024

The passage of SB138 and establishment of WIC 4435.1(c) requires statewide uniformity and consistency in the administrative practices and services of regional centers, including in-home respite services. The standardized respite assessment tool and procedures will include a required discussion with families about each of the in-home respite service delivery options and the benefits of each. Standardized procedures and a template to assess a consumer's needs for respite services must be completed by June 30, 2025 and regional centers must implement beginning January 1, 2026. Because the law requires this standardization contract language is not needed.

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

1-Year Agency Response

DDS will coordinate with regional centers and their Participant Choice Specialists as they implement outreach and training plans and gather information on the impact of these positions. DDS will provide additional information by August 31, 2024.

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

6-Month Agency Response

DDS continues to coordinate with regional centers and their Participant Choice Specialists as they implement outreach and training plans and will provide additional information by August 31, 2023.

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

60-Day Agency Response

As detailed in our response to the audit report, DDS is coordinating with regional centers as they implement outreach and training plans to increase stakeholder awareness of PDS options.

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

All Recommendations in 2021-120

Agency responses received are posted verbatim.