What is the Lanterman Act ?
The Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Services Act (Lanterman Act) is the section of California law that:
- Specifies the rights and responsibilities of persons with developmental disabilities
- Establishes the agencies responsible for planning and coordinating services and supports for persons with developmental disabilities and their families
Thus, the Lanterman Act establishes a process to determine services and supports for persons with developmental disabilities and their families. The central coordinating agencies in this process, as designated by the Act, are the state’s 21 regional centers. Golden Gate Regional Center covers those persons living in San Francisco, Marin or San Mateo County.
Why is this important for you:
In summary, a child at age 3 yrs. will exit from Early Start completely. The child may be eligible to receive special education services through the school district in your area, and may be eligible for Regional Center services under the Lanterman Act after exiting from the Early Start system.
What does the Lanterman Process look like:
- When your child is around the age of 2 years 6 months, your family will be assisted in the transition process of exiting Early Start Services by your Early Start Social Worker.
- If your family would like an assessment, your Early Start worker will make a referral for your child to be assessed to the Transition Social Worker.
- The Transition Social Worker will call you to begin your Lanterman assessment.
- Your child will be scheduled in most cases with one of our Psychologists to complete the Lanterman Assessment.
- Our Interdisciplinary team will then meet to determine eligibility for Lanterman services. This team includes: your Early Start Worker, a Psychologist and a Physician.
- You will be informed of the eligibility decision by either your Early Start Worker or the Transition Social Worker.
- If eligible, your child will be assigned an Ongoing Services Social Worker. If found not eligible, your case will be closed and you may call at a later time to request a possible reassessment or you have the right to file an appeal.
Who is eligible for Regional Center services?
According to the Lanterman Act, your child is eligible for Regional Center services if they have a Developmental Disability which meets one or more of the following criteria:
- Intellectual disability , Cerebral Palsy,
- Epilepsy , Autism
- Conditions found to be closely related to intellectual disability or to require treatment similar to that required for individuals with intellectual disability. (This does not include conditions that are solely psychiatric, solely a learning disability, or solely physical in nature.)
The Developmental Disability shall; originate before age 18; be likely to continue indefinitely; and constitute a substantial disability for the individual. “Substantial disability” means the existence of significant functional limitations in three or more of the following areas of major life activity:
- self-care
- receptive and expressive language
- learning
- mobility
- self-direction
- capacity for independent living
- economic self-sufficiency
Frequently Asked Questions
Assessments are at no cost to the family.
All Early Start Services end at 3 years old. If found eligible, your assigned Ongoing Social Worker will set up a meeting to develop the Individual Program Plan (IPP). Parents are required to use their private insurance first for services such as Behavioral Health Treatment for Autism, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, Feeding Therapy, and /or Physical Therapy. Other generic resources also need to be explored (i.e. California Children ‘s Services).
Services are determined based on Individual Program Plan (IPP) and may include: Resource Referral, Advocacy, Case Management, Community Living Options, Respite, Medicaid Waiver, Daycare, and/or certain assistive devices. But please note : There may be a fee requirement for selected services.
The disability is not solely physical in nature and the child has significant functional limitations in at least two of the following areas of major life activity:
- Self-care
- Receptive and expressive language
- Learning
- Mobility
- Self-direction
A child who is Provisionally eligible shall be reassessed before turning five years of age. The child shall meet the definition of developmental disability to be eligible for ongoing regional center services at five years of age.
If found not eligible, it means your child did not meet eligibility criteria for Lanterman Services. Your child may still qualify for resources in the community, through the school district and your medical insurance. If not eligible, you have a right to appeal the process. An appeal packet will be sent to you in the mail.
If you have more questions, please feel free to call the Transition Social Worker or your Early Start Social Worker. We are here to help!
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