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Applying for Services

The first step in starting a partnership with Golden Gate Regional Center is the application process. How the process works, including the responsibilities of the parties involved, is explained below.



How to Apply for Services

The application process begins with a "request for service," which can be made by contacting GGRC's Intake unit via phone, fax, email or mail:

  • Phone: 1-888-339-3305
  • Fax: 1-888-339-3306
  • Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
  • Mail: 1900 S. Norfolk Street, Suite 100, San Mateo, CA 94403 (ATTN: Intake Unit) 

After the request is received, an Intake worker will conduct a basic screening to determine if further assessment and diagnostic services are appropriate. If the application is for a person age three or older, it will pertain to Lanterman Act, or "Ongoing," services; if the application is for a child under age three, it will pertain to Early Start services. (To find out more about Early Start services, see the Early Start Information Packet issued by the Department of Developmental Services.)

In instances where the request for service is being made via fax, email or mail, it is recommended that a completed version of one of the below forms be submitted as part of the request:

The information provided on these forms helps the Intake worker gather the information necessary for completing the initial intake. This is important because an applicant cannot begin the Assessment (eligibility determination) phase of the process until the intake is done.

Determining Eligibility for Lanterman Act Services

An applicant for Lanterman Act services is assigned an Assessment worker following the completion of the intake. This worker will schedule an initial appointment with the applicant. The appointment should take place within 15 working days of the applicant's first contact with the worker, and it may be held at the applicant's home or at GGRC. It is during this appointment that the applicant (and/or the applicant's family) will be given an overview of the regional center and its services. 

In the period following the appointment, the applicant will be assessed for eligibility. (Assessments are to take place within 120 days of completion of the intake.) The assessment may include:

    • Observation (in the applicant's home or another appropriate setting)
    • An interview
    • Review of medical and other pertinent reports
    • Psychological and adaptive skill testing

In order to properly evaluate the applicant's abilities, the assessment may be conducted in any of the following areas:

  • Cognitive development
  • Communication development (expressive and receptive language)
  • Social and emotional development
  • Adaptive development

Assessments are conducted jointly by the Assessment worker, a physician and a psychologist. This team is charged with determining the applicant's eligibility based on the results of the assessment and other factors.

If the applicant is deemed ineligible for Lanterman Act services, the applicant (and/or the applicant's family) will be informed of the right to appeal and advised as to how to pursue that right; if the applicant is deemed eligible for services, a regular case manager will be assigned to the applicant.

Determining Eligibility for Early Start Services

An applicant for Early Start services is assigned a case manager following the completion of the intake. The case manager will schedule an initial appointment with the family of the applicant. (This appointment should happen in the family's home.) 

In the period following the appointment, the applicant will be assessed for eligibility. (Assessments are to take place within 45 days of completion of the initial intake.) The assessment may include:

    • Observation (in the family home or another appropriate setting)
    • An interview
    • Review of medical and other pertinent reports
    • Psychological and adaptive skill testing

In addition to the case manager, the assessment generally involves one or more clinicians (a physician, psychologist and/or speech pathologist). This team is charged with determining the applicant's eligibility based on the results of the assessment and other factors.

If the applicant is deemed ineligible for Early Start services, the applicant's family will be informed of the right to appeal and advised as to how to pursue that right; if the applicant is deemed eligible for services, the case manager will begin working with the applicant's family to determine which services are appropriate.

How to Reactivate Services

Once an applicant is deemed eligible for services, the applicant (and/or the applicant's family) must be a willing partner with GGRC in order to maintain "active" case status. The definition of an active case, generally speaking, is one where the eligible individual is receiving services and supports from the regional center.

The alternative to active case status is  "inactive" status. Cases are classified as inactive when one of the following occurs:

  • An individual or family decides that services are no longer wanted or needed
  • An individual or family stops using services and has ceased contact with the regional center

In the first scenario, the individual or family is requesting inactive case status; in the second, the regional center is reclassifying the case as inactive due to lack of response from the individual or family. In either scenario, however, the individual or family can seek reactivation by contacting GGRC's Intake unit.

 
 

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