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Whom do we serve?
Golden Gate Regional Center serves individuals with developmental disabilities and
their families who reside in Marin, San Francisco and San Mateo counties. In addition, we
provide early intervention services to infants between birth and three years of age who
are developmentally delayed or believed to be at high risk of having a developmental
disability, and genetic counseling and testing for individuals at high risk of having a
child with a disability.
What is a
Developmental Disability?
According to the California Welfare and Institutions Code Section 4512, a developmental
disability is defined as a disability which originates before an individual attains age
18, continues or can be expected to continue indefinitely, and constitutes a substantial
handicap for that individual. A substantial handicap means a condition which results in
major impairment of cognitive and/or social functioning, and represents a condition of
sufficient impairment to require interdisciplinary planning and coordination of special or
generic services to assist the individual in achieving maximum potential.
Included in this definition of developmental disability are conditions such as mental
retardation, cerebral palsy, epilepsy and autism. Also included are disabling conditions
found to be closely related to mental retardation or to require treatment similar to that
required for individuals with mental retardation.
This definition of developmental disability does not include other handicapping
conditions that are solely physical, learning or psychiatric in nature. The following are
descriptions of eligible conditions:
Mental Retardation
Mental retardation is characterized by less than average intellectual functioning and
significant limitations in at least two of the following areas: communication, self-care,
home living, social skills, use of community resources, self-direction, academic skills,
work, leisure, health and safety. Mental retardation is a condition, not a disease, nor is
it a mental illness.
Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy is a condition caused by damage to the brain, usually occurring before,
during or shortly following birth. "Cerebral" refers to the brain, and
"palsy" to a disorder of movement or posture. The resulting impairment can range
from mild to severe. Some characteristics are: awkward or involuntary movements, poor
balance, irregular walk, poor motor coordination, and speech disturbances. It is neither
progressive nor communicable. It is also not "curable" in the accepted sense,
although education, therapy and applied technology can help persons with cerebral palsy
lead productive lives. Cerebral palsy is not a disease and should never be referred to as
such.
Autism
Autism is a developmental disorder that affects multiple aspects of the individual's
functioning. The disorder is characterized by impairment in social interaction
(withdrawal, failure to engage in interaction with peers or adults), delays in both verbal
and nonverbal communication skills, deficits in cognitive skills, and impairment in the
ability to engage in make-believe play. Individuals may engage in repetitive activities
(for example, rocking, hand flapping, and lining up toys), or a limited repertoire of
activities. The number of characteristics present and their severity vary greatly. Onset
of this disorder is usually before 30 months of age.
Epilepsy
According to the Epilepsy Foundation of America, epilepsy is a physical condition that
occurs when there is a sudden, brief change in how the brain works. When brain cells are
not working properly, a person's consciousness, movement, or actions may be altered for a
short time. These physical changes are called epileptic seizures. Epilepsy is therefore
sometimes called a seizure disorder.
Other conditions related to mental retardation
This category includes other conditions closely related to mental retardation or
requiring treatment similar to that required for individuals with mental retardation, but
does not include other handicapping conditions that are solely physical in nature. Some
examples are polio, muscular dystrophy, arthritis.
What is a Developmental
Delay?
A developmental delay is defined as a significant difference between an infant's or
toddler's current level of functioning and the expected level of development for his/her
chronological age in one or more of the following developmental areas:
 | Cognitive |
| Motor and physical including vision and hearing |
| Communication |
| Social or emotional |
| Adaptive |
Infants and toddlers, birth to 36 months of age, who are determined to have a
developmental delay are eligible to receive early intervention services. This
determination is made by qualified personnel who are recognized by, or are part of a
multi-disciplinary team, including the parents.
Other infants and toddlers who are eligible for early intervention services are those
who have been determined by qualified personnel to have either an established risk
condition, or a high risk for a developmental disability. An established risk condition
exists when an infant or toddler is diagnosed with a condition which has a high
probability of resulting in a developmental delay, although that delay may not be evident
at the time of diagnosis. High risk for a developmental disability exists when an infant
or toddler has a history of a combination of biomedical risk factors such as low birth
weight, prematurity, severe respiratory distress, or seizure activity during the first
weeks of life.
Who
is considered at risk for having a child with a developmental disability?
Individuals considered at risk of having a child with a developmental disability
include:
| Women 35 years of age and older. |
| Families with a previous child or relative with a chromosome abnormality such as Down
Syndrome. |
| Individuals exposed to environmental toxins, alcohol, or drugs. |
| Individuals with a developmental disability. |
| Families or individuals with a history of an inherited disorder or birth defect. |
| Couples who are at risk to be carriers of genetic disorders common in certain
ethnic/racial groups. |
Individuals who are at risk of having a child with a developmental disability may
receive referral assistance from Golden Gate Regional Center for genetic counseling and
diagnostic services. Individuals may request funding for the purchase of genetic
counseling and/or specific diagnostic studies in accordance with Golden Gate Regional
Center's funding policy and guidelines.
How do I apply for
services?
You may apply for services via telephone, fax, letter
or through our website. The request goes to the Intake
Unit, (1-888-339-3305; fax 1-888-339-3306) , which conducts a basic screening to
determine if further assessment and diagnostic services are appropriate. Persons with
developmental disabilities may apply for services directly or be referred by others.
The Supervising Social Worker will assign an Assessment Social Worker who will schedule
an initial appointment with you to be held within 15 working days following your initial
contact (or request for services). This appointment takes place in your home or at the
regional center, at which time you and your family are given an overview of the regional
center and its services.
If necessary, the Assessment Social Worker will arrange for assessments to determine
eligibility. For infants and toddlers between birth and three years of age, assessments
regarding eligibility are performed within 45 days following the initial intake. For
persons three years of age and older, assessments are performed within 120 days following
initial intake. Assessments may include but are not
limited to psychological, medical or developmental evaluations.
Eligibility determinations are made by a group of regional center professionals of
differing disciplines, such as psychologist, physician and social worker. Eligibility for
ongoing regional center services is established upon determination that the person has a
developmental disability with a substantial handicap, or for infants from birth to three
years of age, is at risk of having a developmental disability.
You are notified of your eligibility by letter within 10 days after the determination
is made. Any applicant who is not eligible for ongoing regional center services will be
informed of his/her appeal rights and the fair hearing process, and will also be referred
to other appropriate resources.
Can I lose my
eligibility for services?
The Lanterman Act states: An individual who is determined by any regional center to
have a developmental disability shall remain eligible for services from regional centers
unless a regional center, following a comprehensive reassessment, concludes that the
original determination that the individual has a developmental disability is clearly
erroneous. (Lanterman Act, 4643.5(b))
What
does it mean to have an "active" or "inactive status?"
An individual's status with the regional center is active when the individual and
his/her family are actively partnering with the regional center on plans, decisions and
choices regarding provision of services and supports to meet desired outcomes. When an
individual is receiving services that are purchased by the regional center, his/her status
is automatically considered to be active.
If you or your family member decide that you no longer need or want direct or purchased
services from the regional center, you may request that your status become inactive. If
your needs, or the needs of your family member change, you can reactivate your status by
contacting us.
If we have difficulty contacting you or your family member, we will attempt to locate
you by telephone, visiting your last address, or contacting other involved agencies such
as a school or work site. However, if we still cannot locate you or your family member, we
may initiate the inactivation of your status.
What happens if I move?
If you move from Golden Gate's service area to another area of California, services
will be provided by the regional center that serves your new location. Please notify us of
your current address, and we will transfer your records to the appropriate regional
center.
If you are planning to move out of California, we can assist you in establishing
contact with an agency in your new state. If you give your written approval, we will
transfer your records to that agency.
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