Title 17 of the California Code of Regulations (CCR) is entitled “Public Health.” It includes a wide range of regulations designed to protect public health within the state. It has several large sections, called Divisions, and Division 2 includes Department of Developmental Services regulations. These regulations guide how services are provided to individuals with developmental disabilities. As a result, it is very important for you to be familiar with Title 17, especially with the regulations directly related to the services you provide.

• For complete and up-to-date access to Title 17, you can go to the official California Code of Regulations through the Westlaw website.

There are two types of service quality concerns that you should be aware of related to Title 17 regulations. Substantial Inadequacy refers to conditions or practices within a service provider facility that could threaten the health and safety of people receiving services. However, these are not considered immediate dangers. Immediate Danger refers to situations that pose an immediate threat to the health and safety of someone receiving services. In such cases, there are certain steps GGRC must take to correct the situation within 24 hours.

Services funded through regional centers must meet Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) regulations established by the federal government.

HCBS requirements ensure that services:

• Support community integration and inclusion 
• Promote individual choice and autonomy 
• Protect privacy and dignity 
• Allow individuals to control their daily activities 
• Support access to community opportunities comparable to people not receiving services 

In limited situations, certain restrictions may be implemented to address health or safety needs. These must be:

• Individualized 
• Documented in the IPP 
• Reviewed regularly 
• Used only when necessary 

You should be familiar with HCBS expectations and work with GGRC staff to maintain compliance

GGRC conducts Annual Quality Assurance reviews for selected service types to support service quality and ensure compliance with applicable regulations (Title 17, HCBS and any others). In addition, QA may conduct follow-up reviews for any service, regardless of service code, when concerns are identified through monitoring, incident reports, or other oversight activities.  

Quality Assurance reviews typically include: 

Preparation 

Providers may be asked to submit documents in advance, such as program descriptions, staff training records, and policies.

Virtual Review 

The QA team may conduct a virtual review of records and documentation. This review may happen in person at the decision of the GGRC Quality Assurance Specialist. 

Onsite Visit 

An onsite visit may occur to review service delivery, observe the program environment, and speak with staff and individuals served.

Follow-Up 

After the review, GGRC may provide feedback, recommendations, or corrective action plans if improvements are needed. 

The goal of a QA review is to support a provider in following required regulations and in maintaining high standards of care and service delivery.

1. Right to Services and Supports 

• Individuals with developmental disabilities have the right to services and supports that are necessary for them to lead independent and productive lives. 

• These services should be person-centered, taking into account the individual’s preferences and needs. 

2. Right to Make Choices 

• Individuals have the right to make decisions about their own lives, including where to live, what services to receive, and how to participate in their communities. This also includes the right to be involved in creating their Individual Program Plan (IPP). 

3. Right to Dignity, Privacy, and Humane Care 

• Individuals have the right to be treated with respect and dignity.  

• They should receive humane care and protection from harm or abuse. 

4. Right to Participate in Community Life 

• Individuals have the right to participate fully in community activities in the way that they prefer, including employment, education, recreation, and social activities. 

5. Right to Advocacy and Representation 

• Individuals have the right to advocacy and legal representation. 

• They can seek assistance from advocacy organizations such as Disability Rights California. 

6. Right to Confidentiality 

• Personal information, including medical and service records, must be kept confidential unless consent is given. 

7. Right to Appeal Decisions 

• If a service or support is denied, reduced, or terminated, individuals have the right to appeal the decision through a fair hearing process. 

8. Right to Be Free from Discrimination 

• Individuals cannot be discriminated against based on their disability. They must have equal access to services and opportunities. 

9. Right to the Least Restrictive Environment 

• Services should be provided in the most natural and least restrictive setting possible. 

• Institutions and restrictive settings should only be used when absolutely necessary. 

10. Right to be Free from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation 

• Individuals have the right to be safe from physical, emotional, or financial abuse. Any abuse that occurs must be reported to the appropriate authorities. 

Certain rights can only be denied or limited for good cause and under specific conditions. These rights include:

1. Right to Keep and Spend Own Money 

• Individuals have the right to control their finances, but limitations may be placed if necessary for their well-being and documented accordingly. 

2. Right to Wear Own Clothes 

• Every individual has the right to wear their preferred clothing unless there is a documented safety or medical concern. 

3. Right to Keep and Use Personal Possessions, Including Toiletries 

• Personal belongings must remain accessible unless there is a valid reason that necessitates restriction. 

4. Right to Access Individual Storage 

• Individuals should have access to their personal storage space, and any restriction must be properly justified. 

5. Right to See Visitors 

• Visits from family, friends, and advocates are a fundamental right, and any restriction must be documented and approved. 

6. Right to Use a Telephone and Receive Confidential Calls 

• Individuals have the right to make and receive private phone calls unless there is a significant, documented concern. 

7. Right to Mail and Receive Unopened Correspondence & Access to Letter-Writing Materials 

• Communication through mail should not be restricted unless absolutely necessary for the individual’s protection. 

Important Guidelines for Denial of Rights 

There may be times that individual rights may need to be denied to support an individual’s safety. Service Providers cannot deny rights without first discussing the need with the individual served and their support team, including their GGRC social worker.

A Special Incident Report (SIR) is the documentation prepared by a service provider detailing a special or unusual incident and provided to the Regional Center. A Special Incident is any unusual or critical event that may occur in the life of an individual receiving regional center services.

DDS requires that all service providers, including long-term care health facility staff, should report Special Incidents to a regional center. This requirement is documented in Title 17, Section 54327 of the California Code of Regulations.

​News You can Use!

• SIR Reporting Regulations have been updated in Title 17, effective May 1, 2026!

NEW: DDS Vendor Guidelines for Reporting Special Incidents 2025

SIRs, and the expectations established in reporting them to the regional center, serve an important role in tracking critical incidents affecting the health, safety or personal rights of an individual receiving services. Reporting is not only important for regulatory compliance, but it also helps service providers document best practices. This process can focus services and supports on an individual’s health and safety, and implement preventative planning intended to reduce the risks of future adverse incidents.

Special Incident Reporting Coordinators, Quality Assurance and Case Management teams work together to analyze SIR history and data to identify trends or patterns, which enables regional center teams and service providers to:

• Identify training needs for the service provider community
• Develop and implement risk mitigation plans
• Coordinate adjustments to services and identify any new supports needed, including trauma-informed care
• Timely reporting of SIRs allows service providers and partner agencies to act quickly in implementing solutions and protecting the health and safety of everyone affected

Initial Report (within 24 hours of occurrence)

Title 17 regulations require all service providers to notify GGRC within or no later than 24 hours after witnessing or becoming aware of a Special Incident. You can make an initial report to GGRC via phone or email.

Initial report by phone:

• Call to speak with or leave a voicemail for an individual’s ongoing Social Worker
• After business hours and on weekends, service providers can call the GGRC After Hours Emergency Response line to report a SIR

Initial report via email:

• Service providers can send an initial written SIR report by emailing both an individual’s ongoing Social Worker and GGRC’s SIR Coordination team (with cc to: sirs@ggrc.org)

Written Report (within 48 hours of occurrence)

Service providers should submit a written report of the special incident to GGRC within (but no later than) 48 hours of incident occurrence. You can email your written SIR report to an individual’s ongoing Social Worker while also copying/including GGRC’s SIR inbox: sirs@ggrc.org.

SIR reporting form template currently recommended for use: LIC 624

In need of SIR training?

• Email: sirs@ggrc.org. Please be sure to include “SIR training” in your email subject line.

Corrective Action Plans (CAPs) are created in response to concerns about compliance with Title 17 regulations. CAPs address specific issues that could impact the health and safety of individuals or quality of services. 

Technical Assistance Plans (TAs) are developed when there are opportunities for broader quality improvement that don’t require a Corrective Action Plan. TAs focus on supporting overall service enhancements rather than responding to a specific regulatory issue. 

Collaborative Planning: 

• The QA team at GGRC works together with service providers to understand concerns and opportunities, creating a tailored plan that includes clear goals, responsibilities, and timelines. 

• We actively seek processes that emphasize growth, working together to implement a plan that is a supportive tool for improvement rather than a punitive measure.  

Implementation: 

• CAPs require specific, time-sensitive, corrective actions to address immediate safety or compliance issues.

• Providers work with the QA team on TAs to incorporate improvement strategies into their ongoing operations. This may include training, process optimization, or resource adjustments. 

Monitoring and Follow-up: 

• CAPs and TAs include built-in monitoring requirements to assess progress over time.

• The QA team and provider schedule regular reviews to evaluate the effectiveness of improvement strategies. Provider feedback is an important part of developing effective improvement strategies and evaluating progress. 

GGRC offers training and technical assistance to support service providers in delivering high-quality services.

Training topics may include: 

• Person Centered Thinking 

• HCBS requirements 

• Special Incident Reporting 

• Regulatory compliance

Providers are encouraged to participate in available trainings and reach out to GGRC staff when guidance is needed. Continuing education credits may be available as part of some trainings.

Please monitor our Events Calendar for upcoming trainings. You can also visit our Contact Us page to submit a contact request.