Regional Center Services in California: A Family Guide to Housing Options
Navigating California's Regional Center system can feel overwhelming, especially when your family is exploring housing options for an adult loved one with an intellectual or developmental disability. The good news is that the system exists to help, and understanding how it works puts you in a much stronger position to advocate for the services your loved one deserves.
This guide breaks down the essentials: what Regional Centers do, how service coordinators fit in, what housing-related services are available, and how to actually request them.
What Is a Regional Center?
California operates 21 Regional Centers across the state, each serving a specific geographic area. These nonprofit organizations are contracted by the California Department of Developmental Services (DDS) to coordinate services for individuals with developmental disabilities.
An important distinction that trips many families up: Regional Centers do not provide services directly. Instead, they assess needs, develop service plans, and fund services delivered by approved vendors. Think of them as the hub that connects your loved one to the support they need.
Who Is Eligible?
Regional Center services are available to individuals diagnosed before age 18 with one of the following:
Intellectual disability
Cerebral palsy
Epilepsy
Autism spectrum disorder
Other conditions requiring services similar to those needed by individuals with an intellectual disability
One of the most important things families should know is that these services are lifelong. Unlike school-based services that end at 22, Regional Center support does not have an expiration date. Your loved one will not age out.
The Role of the Service Coordinator
Every person who receives services through a Regional Center is assigned a service coordinator (SC). This is your family's main point of contact and the person who makes things happen within the system.
What Your Service Coordinator Does
Your SC creates and updates the Individual Program Plan (IPP), which is the roadmap for your loved one's services. The IPP outlines goals, identifies needed supports, and specifies the services authorized to meet those goals. IPP meetings happen at least once per year, and families should attend and actively participate.
The SC also processes referrals to vendors, coordinates between different service providers, and helps resolve issues that come up along the way.
Building a Strong Relationship With Your SC
Here is the reality: service coordinators carry large caseloads, sometimes 60 or more clients. They want to help, but they are stretched thin. Families who are organized, proactive, and respectful tend to get better outcomes. A few practical tips:
Come to IPP meetings prepared with a written list of goals and concerns
Follow up important conversations with an email summarizing what was discussed
Respond promptly when your SC reaches out
Be direct about what your loved one needs, and do not assume the SC already knows
A good working relationship with your service coordinator can make a significant difference in how quickly and effectively services are put in place.
Housing Services Funded Through Regional Center
When families think about next steps for housing, the Regional Center system offers several pathways. Understanding your options helps you have more productive conversations with your service coordinator.
Supported Living Services (SLS)
SLS is designed for individuals who want to live in their own home or apartment in the community with support tailored to their needs. The level of support can range from a few hours per week to around-the-clock assistance, depending on what the individual requires.
SLS can take different forms. Some individuals live alone and receive drop-in support from staff. Others participate in life-sharing, where they share a home with a matched supportive roommate who provides day-to-day support. Homies is one SLS vendor in California that specializes in this life-sharing model, matching adults with IDD to compatible roommates.
SLS is often a good fit for individuals who want more independence and community integration than a group home provides.
Independent Living Services (ILS)
ILS offers a lighter level of support for individuals who are more independent but still need some assistance building skills. This might include help with budgeting, cooking, using public transportation, or managing a household. ILS is often time-limited and goal-oriented, aimed at building the skills needed to live with less support over time.
Community Care Facilities and Group Homes
Licensed residential facilities that provide 24-hour care and supervision. Residents live together in a structured environment with staff on-site. Group homes serve individuals who need a higher level of support and may not be ready for or interested in a more independent arrangement. These facilities are licensed by the California Department of Social Services and must meet specific regulatory standards. For a detailed comparison of group homes versus SLS and life-sharing, see our guide on SLS vs group homes.
Adult Residential Facilities
Similar to group homes, Adult Residential Facilities (ARFs) provide care and supervision in a community-based residential setting. They serve a broad range of individuals and vary in size and the level of support they provide.
In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS)
IHSS is worth mentioning because families often use it alongside Regional Center services, even though it is funded through the county, not the Regional Center. IHSS provides in-home assistance with daily activities like bathing, meal preparation, and housekeeping. Eligibility is determined by the county social services agency, and it can complement the services your loved one receives through their IPP.
How to Request Housing Services
Getting housing services in place is a process with several steps. Knowing what to expect helps you plan ahead and avoid surprises.
Step by Step
Start the conversation with your service coordinator. Let them know your loved one is interested in exploring housing options. Be specific about what you are looking for.
Get housing goals into the IPP. This is essential. If a housing goal is not documented in the Individual Program Plan, it is much harder to get services authorized. Use the annual IPP meeting to formally add this goal, or request a meeting specifically to discuss it.
The SC issues a referral to a vendor. Once housing goals are in the IPP, your service coordinator will refer your loved one to one or more approved SLS, ILS, or residential vendors for assessment.
The vendor conducts an assessment. The vendor meets with your loved one (and often the family) to evaluate their needs, preferences, and goals. Based on this assessment, they develop a service plan.
Regional Center approves the funding. The vendor's proposed service plan goes back to the Regional Center for review and authorization of hours and funding.
Services begin. Once approved, the vendor starts delivering services according to the plan.
Timeline Expectations
Families should know that this process often takes several months from start to finish, sometimes longer depending on vendor availability and the complexity of the situation. If your loved one is approaching a transition point, like aging out of the school system or a change in the family's ability to provide care, start the conversation with your SC well in advance.
Life-Sharing as an SLS Option
Life-sharing is one model within Supported Living Services that has been gaining traction in California. To understand the full picture of what life-sharing is and how it works, we've put together a dedicated guide. In a life-sharing arrangement, your loved one shares a home with a carefully matched supportive roommate. The roommate is not a paid staff member who works in shifts. They are someone who genuinely lives in the home and provides natural, ongoing support as part of daily life.
This support is funded through the Regional Center, which means most families pay nothing out of pocket for the support component. The roommate receives compensation for the support they provide, and the arrangement is supervised by an SLS vendor.
Life-sharing tends to work well for individuals who want a sense of genuine companionship and community belonging, not just clinical support. If you are curious about how life-sharing works in practice, you can learn more about the matching process or explore whether it might be a fit for your family on our Regional Center clients page.
Service coordinators looking to refer a client to life-sharing can also find information about Homies' referral process on our website.
Tips for Families Navigating the System
The Regional Center system can feel bureaucratic, but families who approach it strategically tend to get better results. Here are some practical recommendations.
Start early. Do not wait until there is a crisis to begin exploring housing. The process takes time, and planning ahead gives you more options and less stress. Our guide on preparing your adult child for independent living covers the daily living skills and social readiness areas you can start working on now.
Document everything. Keep copies of the IPP, assessments, service plans, and any correspondence with the Regional Center. A well-organized file makes it easier to track what has been agreed to and follow up on commitments.
Know your rights. The Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Services Act is the state law that guarantees services for individuals with developmental disabilities in California. Familiarize yourself with its provisions so you can advocate effectively.
Use the fair hearing process if needed. If you disagree with a Regional Center decision, such as a denial of services or a reduction in hours, you have the right to file for a fair hearing. This is a formal appeals process, and it exists to protect your loved one's rights.
Connect with other families. Parent support groups and family resource centers can be invaluable. Other families who have navigated the system can share practical advice, recommend vendors, and offer the kind of understanding that only comes from shared experience.
Contact the Client Rights Advocate. Every Regional Center has a Client Rights Advocate (CRA) who can help if you feel your loved one's rights are not being respected. This is a free resource, and it is there specifically to support clients and families.
Moving Forward
The Regional Center system is not always easy to navigate, but it provides a strong foundation of support for individuals with developmental disabilities in California. The key is knowing what is available, asking for what your loved one needs, and staying engaged in the process.
If you have questions about housing options, supported living, or life-sharing specifically, our FAQ page covers many of the topics families ask about most frequently. And if your family is exploring whether life-sharing might be the right fit, we are always happy to talk through what that looks like.