About WRC
What is a Regional Center?
Regional Centers are nonprofit, private corporations that contract with the State of California, Department of Developmental Services (). Regional Centers are funded to provide diagnosis and assessment of eligibility and help plan, access, coordinate and monitor the services and supports that are needed because of a developmental disability.
Westside Regional Center (WRC) is one of the 21 regional centers that provide services to persons, age three and above, with a disability pursuant to the and infants and toddlers, birth to 36 months, who have a need for early intervention services and who meet the eligibility criteria for the California Early Start program.
There is no charge for the diagnosis and assessment. Once eligibility is determined, a service coordinator is assigned to help develop a plan for services, tell you where services are available, and help you get those services. Most services and supports are free regardless of age or income.
For more information on the services and supports WRC provides, click here.
Watch the video below to learn how Regional Centers support the individuals we serve and their families
Watch “What Are the California Regional Centers?” on YouTube
Vision Statement
WRC envisions a world where people with developmental disabilities lead self-determined lives of meaning and purpose and participate fully in their local communities.
Mission Statement
It is WRC’s mission to support people with developmental disabilities, their families, and communities of choice by facilitating access to , culturally responsive services and resources.
Guiding Principles
Three words guide Westside Regional Center’s staff in their relationship with the individuals they serve and their families, as well as in their vision of the regional center’s role:
Listen – inform – support
These words form the basis of four principles to which Westside is committed for all of the services we provide. Those principles are:
1. Total Participation
All individuals with disabilities and their families will be—not only integrated—but involved, included and welcomed in community life, in jobs, in school and at home.
2. A Family Perspective
Each client will be viewed as part of a social unit defined as “family”, which includes those people who have a close and significant relationship to the individual. Westside will support and protect the strength and stability of this unit.
3. Building Power
Individuals with developmental disabilities and their families will be empowered to take control of, and responsibility for, their lives; to make informed choices about where and how they live, where they go to school, and where they work; to become active and influential in their communities; and to become agents of change concerning their rights and wishes.
4. Putting People First
The focus will change: from bureaucratic to people-driven; from “professional” on one side and “family” on the other to partnership. Both families and staff will be encouraged to be responsible and creative, fortified by a full range of information and education. Intelligent use of resources will result in the highest quality of service within the parameters of a reasonable budget.
Shows what this word means
DDS (Department of Developmental Services)
DDS is the state department that funds and oversees California's 21 regional centers.
WRC’s definition
The Department of Developmental Services. This state agency administers the contracts with each regional center and sets many of the regulatory standards for service. The department also operates state developmental centers.
Lanterman Act
The Lanterman Act is the California law that gives people with developmental disabilities the right to services and supports.
WRC’s definition
The Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Services Act, legislation that mandated the right of people with developmental disabilities to receive appropriate services.
Eligibility
Eligibility is whether a person can get WRC services. WRC decides it after an assessment.
WRC’s definition
The process to determine whether, and to what degree, an individual has developmental deficits. An assessment identifies the individual’s strengths, abilities, needs, and developmental level.
Person-centered planning
Person-centered planning starts with what the person wants for their own life.
WRC’s definition
An approach to planning for the future based on the client and family’s wishes and on the client’s abilities and preferences.