Developmental services: regional centers: individual program plans and individualized family service plans.

Under existing law, the Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Services Act, the State Department of Developmental Services contracts with regional centers to provide services and supports to individuals with developmental disabilities. The services and supports to be provided to a regional center consumer are contained in an individual program plan (IPP) or individualized family service plan (IFSP) , developed in accordance with prescribed requirements. Existing law states that it is the intent of the Legislature to ensure that the individual program plan and provision of services and supports by the regional center system is centered on the individual and the family of the individual with developmental disabilities and takes into account the needs and preferences of the individual and the family, as specified. This bill would require a regional center to communicate and provide written materials in the family's native language during the IFSP process. The bill would require the family's native language to be documented in the IFSP. The bill would similarly require a regional center to communicate in the consumer's native language, or, when appropriate, the native language of his or her family, legal guardian, conservator, or authorized representative, during the IPP planning process and to provide alternative communication services, including a copy of the IPP in the native language of the consumer or his or her family, legal guardian, conservator, or authorized representative, or both. The bill would require the native language of the consumer or his or her family, legal guardian, or authorized representative, or both, to be documented in the IPP. Under existing law, a person believed to have a developmental disability or to have a high risk of parenting a developmentally disabled infant is eligible for initial intake and assessment in the regional centers, as specified. This bill would require a regional center to communicate with the consumer and his or her family pursuant to those provisions in their native language. This bill would make other conforming changes.