In 1989, the State of California implemented the Parental Fee
Program. It requires that parents of children under the age
of 18 who live outside of the family home shall be assessed for a
parental fee based on their ability to pay as determined by an
income assessment completed by the State Department of
Developmental Services.
Who Is Required to Participate?
The Parental Fee Program only applies to families that meet the
following criteria:
- Your child is under 18 years of age.
- Your child receives 24-hour out-of-home care services through
a regional center or as a resident of a state hospital.
How Is The Parental Fee Determined?
The Parental Fee is determined by the Department of Developmental
Services. Families with incomes at or below the Federal
Poverty Level will not be liable for Parental Fee. Fees are
scaled to the gross annual family income, the number of persons
dependent on the income and the age of the child in placement.
How Will Family Pay the Parental Fee?
Once a Parental Fee has been assessed by the Department of
Developmental Services (DDS) the fee will be paid to the State
Treasury. The DDS will instruct each family as to the
amount and the due date of the payment. The regional center does
not receive the payment.
How Does ACRC Implement the Parental Fee Program?
The law creating the Parental Fee Program (PFP) charges the
regional center with informing families of the PFP program and
notifying the DDS when a child goes into an out-of-home
placement.
Additional Resources
- Additional Information as well as implementation tools are
available on the DDS website
Transparency