GGRC Services
At Golden Gate Regional Center (GGRC), we offer services and supports to eligible people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) from birth through adulthood. Children ages 0–3 may receive Early Start Services, and people ages 3 and older may get services through the Lanterman Act. We work with you to create a plan, then coordinate services to support your goals. Services are provided through individual service providers located throughout the Bay Area.
3 Ways to Receive and Manage Your Services:
GGRC Coordinated Services
We create a plan with you and coordinate services through trusted providers to support your goals.
Self-Determination Program (SDP)
You manage your own budget and choose the services and providers that fit your goals.
Participant-Directed Services
You choose who provides certain services and when, with support for payroll and paperwork.
What is a social worker?
Every person receiving services or supports from GGRC is assigned a social worker that communicates with you regularly. Your social worker’s main job is to help you create and carry out a plan that reflects what matters most to you. This plan is called an Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP) for families receiving Early Start services, or an Individual Program Plan (IPP) for anyone receiving Lanterman services. Your social worker will help you find services and supports that fit with your plan.
How Your Plan Decides the Services You Receive
Your service plan states all the services you receive through GGRC. This plan is created with you and explains your goals, what kind of support you need, and how services will help you live a fulfilling life on your terms.
If you receive services through the Lanterman Act, this plan is called an Individual Program Plan (IPP). For families in Early Start, the plan is called an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP). While the names are slightly different, both plans serve the same purpose: only the services written in your plan can be provided or paid for by the Regional Center.
Your plan is person-centered, which means it is built around you, your strengths, and what matters most in your life.
Creating and Reviewing Your Plan
After you apply and are approved for regional center services, your GGRC social worker will work with you to:
- Meet with your planning team prior to completing your first plan and all other plans thereafter
- Create your first plan within 60 days
- Review your plan at least once each year (your plan can be changed at any time to better suit your needs)
- Complete a new plan once every three years, or every year if you’re in the Self-Determination Program (SDP).
Who helps create your plan?
A planning team must include (at minimum) the individual receiving services and their GGRC social worker. You may also include anyone who is part of your support network (family, friends, caregivers, etc.) As a group, your planning team should understand:
- Your skills and abilities
- Goals you would like to achieve, and the skills needed to achieve them
- The types of programs, education, or services you may need to refine or build new skills
- The role and responsibilities of each planning team member in helping you achieve defined goals
- The specific services and supports you will receive (or continue to receive) from the regional center
- The funding sources for all services and supports you are to receive (including non-regional center services and supports)
The discussion and decisions of your planning team lead to a document (the IPP itself) that reflects your desires and best interests.
Choosing and Managing Your Own Services
Some people want more choice and control over how their services are selected and delivered. GGRC offers options that allow individuals and families to take a more active role in managing services, while still following the service plan created with GGRC.
Two of these options are the Self-Determination Program and Participant-Directed Services. Both options still require an approved plan, and services must be written into that plan to be provided or paid for by the Regional Center.
Self-Determination Program (SDP)
As with all regional center services, the focus of the Self-Determination Program is YOU. You choose where you go and who you spend your time with. SDP provides a different way for you to manage those choices. Instead of selecting specific GGRC service providers, you find your own services and manage your own budget to pay for those services. This gives you more freedom, control and responsibility in choosing your services and supports. You still meet with your social worker to review your service needs and to develop your budget. Talk to your GGRC social worker to learn if SDP is a good fit for you.
What services can I direct and who can provide them?
In some cases, you may choose someone you already know – such as a friend, family member or other community member – to provide services. The worker(s) must be at least 18 years old, eligible to work in California, and qualified to provide the service.
Only certain services can be participant-directed. These may include:
- Day Care
- Nursing
- Respite
- Transportation
- Community-Based Training Services for Adults (CIT)
- Personal Assistance
- Independent Living Services
- Supported Employment
- Social Recreation
- Camp
- Non-medical Therapies
These options allow individuals and families to use community programs such as city/county parks and recreation programs, YMCA, dance and art studios, and similar organizations.
All Participant-Directed Services must use a Financial Management Service (FMS). This system handle payment, payroll, taxes, and required reporting so services are managed correctly.
Your GGRC social worker can help you understand Participant-Directed Services, whether these options fit your goals and how to include them in your service plan.
Helpful Information About GGRC Services
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Document
A Guide to Understanding Services
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Document
Introduction to Services
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Document
Lanterman Services Information Packet (Ages 3+)