A critical time for CA’s master plan for developmental services

OPINION – As the next Master Plan for Developmental Services Committee meeting convenes on December 11, it’s a critical time to remind policymakers, the administration, key agencies, and stakeholders of the importance of developing and implementing the Master Plan in a way that prioritizes meeting the unique needs of 450,000 Californians with developmental disabilities.

The Master Plan for Developmental Services process was created to leverage historic investments made by the Newsom Administration and the legislature. It aims to achieve equitable access to the Lanterman Act’s entitlement to services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families, and looks to ensure that individuals and their families:

• Receive timely, inclusive, and seamless services throughout their lifespan across all service systems.
• Experience consistent, transparent, accountable, and data-driven systems that focus on outcomes.
• Have a choice of services from a high-quality, and stable workforce.
• Access quality, lifelong, person-centered services from systems with adequate resources.

A variety of experts make up the Master Plan for Developmental Services Committee, which comes together on a monthly basis and is expected to complete its draft report in March of 2025 in consultation with a variety of stakeholders.

As the Executive Director of the Association for Regional Center Agencies (ARCA), I represent California’s 21 regional centers on the Master Plan for Developmental Services Committee and am part of the workgroup that focuses on data and system accountability. While the Master Plan’s priorities continue to evolve, one thing that remains constant is the statewide regional center system’s commitment to serving nearly half a million Californians with developmental disabilities and ensuring the implementation of the Plan is effective for those they serve and their families.

ARCA is confident that the development and implementation of the Plan will result in a collaborative process that will yield:

• A comprehensive document that will guide the future of the system and incorporate the perspectives of all relevant stakeholders, including individuals and families served, regional centers, DDS, providers, policymakers, and advocates.
• A system equipped to equitably serve all individuals with developmental disabilities regardless of race and geography.
• Outcomes centered on person-centered and culturally responsive services.
• A pathway to addressing a variety of issues facing Californians with developmental disabilities including affordable housing shortages, lower rates of employment, and the integration of services from other systems to address physical, social, and behavioral health needs – in short, better coordination of services to support the whole person.
• An effective and ongoing partnership with the Legislature and the Newsom Administration to make adequate investments to support California’s entitlement to critical developmental services in years to come, including through the maximization of federal resources.
• Ongoing stakeholder engagement that informs creative, well-balanced, and thoughtful recommendations for continuous improvement.

ARCA appreciates the inclusive approach of the Master Plan process. The state’s commitment to breaking down barriers across systems, both disability-specific and not, is historic and will be transformative for people with developmental disabilities.

Since 2019, the number of Californians served by the developmental services system has expanded by 31% and continues to grow. It is critical that the Plan creates a clear roadmap for the developmental services system for tomorrow and beyond.

Amy Westling is executive director of the Association of Regional Center Agencies, representing California’s network of 21 community-based, nonprofit regional centers.