Priorities for California’s Master Plan on Developmental Services Outlined in Letter From The Lanterman Coalition

The Lanterman Coalition, representing major statewide and regional stakeholders in the developmental disability community, has published a letter prioritizing issues and concerns that must be addressed as California embarks on a Master Plan for Developmental Services.  The letter, which has been delivered to legislators, their staff, and the Governor Newsom’s Administration, highlights first and foremost the need for the state to fund services and supports, stating: “All efforts and recommendations must be predicated on an adequately funded system of services and supports, which includes full implementation and regular updating of the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) rate models. The master plan process should in no way delay or reallocate these promised investments and their intended purpose.”

Additionally, The Lanterman Coalition has listed the following nine priorities that must be considered as committee members discuss the future of the developmental services system:

1. Keep the Promise, preserve the Lanterman Act and its entitlement to services.
2. Recognize a Consumer’s Individual Program Plan (IPP) is an existing person-centered plan and legal agreement that entitles an individual to services.  Implementing those existing plans should be a priority above all other plans.
3. Development of a periodic process to review and update rate models to assure that rates for services to Californians with IDD reflect the actual cost of such services, including staff being paid appropriate wages.
4. Align with California’s Employment First policy.
5. Improve inclusion and community access.
6. Innovate services and systems through technology and data collection/analysis, including incorporating remote services and supports.
7. Proactively plan for the evolution of service needs and increasing lifespan of people served.
8. Review and modernize the quality incentive structure to align with established best practice for incentivizing quality outcomes.
9. Review and modernize regional center funding.

Click HERE to download the full Lanterman Coalition Letter.