We are committed to building strong partnerships with individuals served and their families. Our goal is to be responsive to each individual’s unique needs and to clearly communicate options for the individuals we serve and their families. But despite our best efforts, there may be a time when the individual we serve or their family disagrees with the decision we make. If this happens, individuals or families may ask us to review our decision to make sure that all information was considered. We will make every effort to resolve disagreements informally, through discussion with your Service Coordinator, their Client Services Manager, or Department Director.

A number of formal processes have been established for responding to concerns or complaints related to services that are provided by HRC or our contracted service providers. The Department of Developmental Services (DDS) contracts with the Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH) to provide mediation and hearings for various programs. 

Complaints

The Complaint Process is used when an individual/family, or any representative acting on behalf of someone served by regional center, believes that any right has been wrongly or unfairly denied by a regional center or a contracted service provider. This process is not to be used by individuals/family to resolve disputes about eligibility, or the nature, scope, or amount of services.  

If a violation of rights is confirmed to have occurred, the intent of the complaint process is to provide a meaningful resolution and attempt to prevent similar violations from occurring again.

For children from birth to 36 months whom are served by the Regional Center, complaints are submitted to the Department of Developmental Services (DDS).

For more information for children birth to 36 months who are served by Regional Centers:

• Link to Department of Developmental Services (DDS) website
• Early Start Complaint Investigation Request - English Form
• Queja de Programa Early Start Solicitud de Investigacion- Spanish Form

For those who are Three years of age and older served by Regional Center, complaints are submitted to the Regional Center.

For more information for those who are three years of age and older served by Regional Center:

• Link to Department of Developmental Services (DDS) website
• Complaint Investigation Request - English Form
• Formulario de Queja, Solicitud de Investigacion - Spanish Form

Appeals Process

A request for an appeal is a formal request for someone to review or change a regional center decision – whether the decision is about eligibility for services or regarding services to be provided.

​For children from birth to 36 months whom are served by the Regional Center, Due Process Hearing requests are submitted to the Office of Administrative Hearings.

Click on any of the below for more information for Regional Center clients from birth to 36 months: 

• Department of Developmental Services Early Start Due Process Hearing Requests
• Family Guide to the Appeal Process for HRC clients from birth to 36 months
• Due Process Hearing Request – English Form
• Solicitud de Conferencia de Debido Proceso – Spanish Form

For Regional Center clients from birth to 36 months, Mediation requests are submitted to the Office of Administrative Hearings

• Mediation Conference Request – English Form
• Solicitud de Conferencia de Mediacion – Spanish Form

For those who are Three years of age and older served by Regional Center, requests are submitted directly to the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) utilizing the DS 1821 Appeal Request Form

How to appeal: 

• You may submit the form electronically at the DDS website: https://bit.ly/DDSAppealForm
• You may send the Appeals Request Form by email to AppealRequest@dds.ca.gov
• You may send the Appeals Request Form by mail to 1215 O Street MS 8-20, Sacramento, CA 95814
• You may send the Appeals Request Form by fax to 916-654-3641

For More Information: 

• Department of Developmental Services Appeals and Complaint Process Website
• Lanterman Act Eligibility & Service Appeals Information Packet:
  • English, Español (Spanish), Korean-한글, Tagalog, Simplified Chinese-简体中文, Khmer (Cambodian), Japanese-日本語
• DS 1821 Appeals Request Form:
  • English, Español (Spanish), Korean-한글, Tagalog, Simplified Chinese-简体中文, Khmer (Cambodian), Japanese-日本語 

Whistleblower Complaints

Whistleblower Policy | Política de denuncia de irregularidades

You may refer to this policy for concerns related to actions of the HRC board, officers, directors, employees, contractors, and service providers which you believe may be improper.

You may also refer to the State of California Department of Developmental Services (DDS) webpage  for information on how to file a Whistleblower complaint with DDS.

Advocacy Resources

Disability Rights California (DRC) is a nonprofit agency. They are the largest disability rights group in the nation. Federal law established DRC to protect and advocate for the rights of people with disabilities.

The Office of Clients Rights Advocacy (OCRA) is part of Disability Rights California. OCRA provides free legal information, advice, and representation to regional center clients. OCRA serves clients of all 21 regional centers throughout California, and has been serving them since 1999. OCRA has a Clients’ Rights Advocate (CRA) serving each regional center. The CRA helps protect regional center clients’ rights. 

Harbor Regional Center CRA
Johnanthony Alaimo – CRA
Johnanthony.Alaimo@disabilityrightsca.org
Office of Clients’ Rights Advocacy      
17215 Studebaker Road, Suite 195
Cerritos, CA 90703
Phone: (562) 623-9911
Fax: (562) 623-9929
Supervised by Tim Poe