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If you have a developmental concern about yourself, your child, or a family member, the Intake Department will be your first contact at Westside Regional Center. Our goal is to make this experience positive for you and your family.
Birth to 36 months
The , for children birth to three years old, will require a series of contacts to help assess your child. Your story is important to us, as you know your child best. Your observations are part of the assessment process. Several professionals will be contacting you to gain more information and perform assessments on your child to better understand their needs.
Age 3 through adulthood
The Lanterman Program is for individuals over the age of three. We will ask you to complete the intake interview and a psychological .
To start the , please submit an online application. Try to submit as many documents as you can to help us better understand the developmental needs of the individual applying for services. These documents may include the Individualized Education Plan (IEP) from schools, medical documents, and other records. Collecting of these records can be an ongoing process during the intake. We also know that for young children this may be the first assessment and you may not have any prior records. And that is fine. Once you complete the application and attach as many documents as you can, please do not forget to sign the consent. It will allow us to move forward with assessments and evaluations.
Families and the person applying choose Apply. Doctors, schools and other providers sending a referral choose Provider Referral.
Once a referral is submitted, our intake team will follow up with the contact person listed to guide them through the next steps, such as performing assessments and collecting documents. Our team will review any developmental, social, medical, psychological, and/or educational information to get a clear picture of the person being referred. Early Start eligibility determination may take up to 45 days, while intake under the Lanterman Act services may take up to 120 days. There is no cost to you for any of the assessments or other services that we provide during the intake process.
The intake process is a team effort and all participants, including the family members, are encouraged to respond to phone calls and emails in a timely manner. The regional centers must complete the intake process within 45 days for infants and toddlers under three. For individuals over the age of three and adults, the process must be completed within 120 days. Once the assessments are done, an eligibility team will review all the information. You will be notified of the eligibility decision by your assigned intake counselor.
Sometimes people disagree with our decision about the ineligibility of regional center services. When you receive written notification of not being eligible, you will also receive information about how you can appeal this decision. We encourage you to appeal if you believe that the decision was not right.
Shows what this word means
Early Start
Early Start is free help for babies and toddlers under 3 who have a delay or are at risk of one.
WRC’s definition
Some infants and toddlers may need additional support to help them reach their full potential. These services and supports are available via the Early Intervention Program for Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities.
Assessment
An assessment is a review of a person's skills and needs. It helps decide eligibility and services.
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.
Intake
Intake covers the first steps after you call WRC: WRC gathers information and checks whether you can get services.
WRC’s definition
If you have a developmental concern about your child or a family member, the Intake Department will be your first contact at Westside Regional Center.
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.