Opinion: How to Build An Equitable Service System for Californians with Developmental Disabilities

Gov. Gavin Newsom and the state legislature have committed to a series of rate increases for businesses and professionals who make community life possible for over 400,000 Californians with developmental disabilities. This has been years in coming and my organization, the Association of Regional Center Agencies, along with the vendors we contract with are deeply grateful for this critical funding. But what comes next?

The developmental disabilities service system is based around 21 regional centers. Centers are interdependent community-based organizations that act as the hub of the system. They are partners for people with developmental disabilities and their families, connecting them to services to meet a lifetime of changing needs. The regional centers are where service starts.

Now, our system is developing a Master Plan for Developmental Services. Led by the California Health and Human Services Agency, the plan is being shaped by stakeholders including service providres, advocates, families, and individuals served. We want to create a plan focused on equity for a community that is as diverse as our state. It should build on lessons learned over many years to create meaningful improvements to the systems that serve our community.

First and foremost, the plan should preserve people with disabilities’ entitlement to needed services and supports, as defined in the Lanterman Act. This guarantee is the only one of its kind in the nation and the core strength of our service system. It makes service possible every day for the people we serve and their families.

Second, the plan must ensure the equitable availability of flexible and sustainable services to allow people with disabilities to get the support they need to achieve their goals regardless of their racial, ethnic, geographic, socioeconomic or linguistic characteristics. A “California All”, as promised by Gov. Gavin Newsom, that works towards a “better life for all” must include those with developmental disabilities and means ensuring they have ready access to all the services they need, whether medical, educational or developmental.

Lastly, we cannot build a system for tomorrow’s needs without commiting today to employment opportunities, community inclusion and technological advances to improve the lives of this population.

My organization is committed to ensuring these three points are fundamental to the plan. With them, we can build an equitable, sustainable future for the people our system is built to serve. And that future will be better, more inclusive and built on a recognition of the value each of these individuals brings to their local communities and our state as a whole.

Amy Westling is executive director of the Association of Regional Center Agencies, representing California’s network of 21 community-based, nonprofit regional centers.