Guide to North Bay Regional Center

Purchase of Services

What is "purchase of services?"

Purchase of services is the method by which NBRC buys services to accomplish objectives in each person's Individual Program Plan. NBRC explores existing funding sources such as Medi-Cal, private insurance, or other sources before spending its own funds, because State law requires us to pursue all possible public and private sources of funding for clients.

What are the guidelines for determining what services will be purchased?

The Board of Directors has adopted the following policy:

NBRC will purchase services for eligible persons which will:

Prevent developmental disabilities;
Prevent or minimize the institutionalization and dislocation from family and community of people with developmental disabilities;
Enable people with developmental disabilities to approximate the pattern of everyday living of non-disabled persons of the same age and lead to more independent, productive and normal lives in the community.
Regional Center funds will not be expended for services available through other sources. This includes funds that have been legally designated for the needs of the client.
Specific services will be continued when the client (or, when appropriate, the client's parent or legal guardian or conservator) and the regional center representative agree that reasonable progress has been made toward objectives for which the service provider is responsible.
The Individual Program Plan shall specify the types and amounts of services to be purchased by the Regional Center as determined by an interdisciplinary team.
Disagreements between the regional center representative and the client or his legal representative shall be resolved through the Fair Hearing Procedure.

Who determines whether a service is purchased?

The Interdisciplinary Team (ID Team) has this responsibility. The ID Team carefully examines the individual needs of each person in relation to the goals stated by California law (Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Services Act). The Individual Program Plan must be compatible with this law.

What are some examples of services commonly purchased by NBRC?

Infant development programs, adult training and employment programs, in-home and out- of-home respite, nursing services, training in independent and supported living, behavior management training, transportation and many other services, depending on the needs of the individual.

May clients, parents or others purchase a service privately?

Yes. The Program Coordinator can give you appropriate referrals.

May clients, parents or others voluntarily participate with the Regional Center in purchasing a service?

Yes. Voluntary contributions help NBRC provide more services to people with developmental disabilities. The Program Coordinator can tell you how to make a voluntary contribution.