The Professional Staff of Alta California Regional Center

SERVICE COORDINATORS have a minimum of a bachelor's degree and at least two years of experience in the field of developmental disabilities or a master’s degree in a related field.

The service coordinator identifies case needs, provides coordination of services to the individual (case management), provides counseling to the parents on problems related to having a child with developmental disabilities, provides referral to other agencies to meet other types of family or individual needs, and serves as an advocate for the individual with developmental disabilities. As the case manager, the service coordinator schedules a staffing with the pediatrician, nurse, psychologist, and/or other professionals whenever needed. The service coordinator also has the responsibility for ongoing services, such as arranging for purchased services outlined in the Individual Program Plan. In addition, service coordinators as well as other staff members are available for public speaking on regional center services, and serve as consultants to community programs serving persons with developmental disabilities.

Service coordinators assist families who request out-of-home placement for their developmentally disabled member. They help families to locate an appropriate placement facility, assist in the financial arrangements, apply for Supplemental Security Income benefits, and complete necessary paperwork. Service coordinators in our residential units coordinate services for consumers residing in community care facilities. Most of these facilities are small and home-like and are operated by skilled and experienced care providers.

ACRC also has specialized coordinators who work with all of the individuals with developmental disabilities from our ten-county geographic area who reside in one of the State Developmental Centers within California. The regional center controls all admissions of individuals with developmental disabilities to the State Developmental Center system and assists in discharge planning for community re-entry.

 Roles and Responsibilities of Service Coordinator: Overview of Service Coordination
Welfare and Institutions Code  4647.  (a) Pursuant to Section 4640.7, service coordination shall include those activities necessary to implement an individual program plan, including, but not limited to, participation in the individual program plan process; assurance that the planning team considers all appropriate options for meeting each individual program plan objective; securing, through purchasing or by obtaining from generic agencies or other resources, services and supports specified in the person's individual program plan; coordination of service and support programs; collection and dissemination of information; and monitoring implementation of the plan to ascertain that objectives have been fulfilled and to assist in revising the plan as necessary.