Helping Californians with developmental disabilities and their families access services is central to the Department’s mission. To make provider data easier to find and use, DDS is gathering service provider information into one, centralized, online portal called the “Provider Directory.”
This Provider Directory will be developed in phases. It was released October 29, 2024, and currently, only service providers and select regional center staff can access the directory to review, validate and approve vendor data changes.
Why is the Provider Directory important?
With accurate data, the Provider Directory will serve two key functions:
- For advocates and families: Identify service provider options in their community.
- For service providers: Participation in the Provider Directory will be used to inform qualification for the 2025-2026 benchmark rate, as well as future QIP activities, including payment for outcome and quality measures. For QIP status and steps to attain the QIP portion of the reimbursement rate, see service provider specific information below.
Please review the applicable drop down below for role specific information and on-demand training support.
Regional Centers
Regional centers have vital, first-hand knowledge of the providers they work with. They are responsible for reviewing and approving any changes to vendor records. Currently, access to the Provider Directory is limited to select staff members at each regional center.
Step-by-step instructions and a video demonstration are provided to support users in the process of approving or rejecting provider requests.
- Regional Center Approver Training Guide: This PDF document contains a “click by click” guide to all the steps for logging into the Provider Directory, reviewing all change requests, and approving/rejecting a change request.
- Regional Center Approver Training Video: This short training video provides a step-by-step walkthrough of all Regional Center Approver tasks outlined in the RC Approver Training Guide.
- FAQs Specific to Regional Centers
Questions or Assistance?
Email providerdirectory@dds.ca.gov or call 844-469-9022. Provide as much information as possible about your issue. Support hours are Monday-Friday, 8 am to 4 pm. Support is closed for state and federal holidays.
Service Providers (Vendors)
The Provider Directory empowers service providers to be the custodians of their vendor information. Participation in the Provider Directory is the basis for calculating the Quality Incentive Program (QIP) Payments. The Department issues weekly listings notifying regional centers of both service providers who have met and not met the QIP requirement.
To receive the QIP portion of the rate, these service providers must register and then validate their records into the Provider Directory within 45 days of receiving the invitation to the Provider Directory. Service providers must perform both registration and validation in order to attain the QIP portion of the rate, which shall be effective the month following completion of those activities.
Service providers who do not complete both activities within 45 days of receiving the invitation to the Provider Directory will not be eligible for the QIP portion of the rate until the next rate cycle begins on July 1, 2026. Providers that do not complete both activities within 90 days of receiving the invitation to the Provider Directory also will have their billing suspended until compliant.
Please contact your vendoring regional center to verify QIP eligibility or to be added to the Provider Directory.
Do you meet criteria for inclusion in the Provider Directory?
Current criteria are listed in General FAQ #16.
Resources:
Step-by-step instructions and a video demonstration are provided to support users in registering for and using the Directory.
- Service Provider Training Guide: This PDF document contains a “click by click” guide providing all the steps for logging into the Provider Directory, confirming all vendorization data, and submitting a change request if needed.
- Service Provider Training Video: This short training video provides a step-by-step walkthrough of all service provider tasks outlined in the Service Provider Training Guide.
- FAQs Specific to Service Providers/Vendors
Need Assistance?
Please review the guide, video, or FAQ support materials above before contacting support.
Email providerdirectory@dds.ca.gov or call 844-469-9022. Provide as much information as possible about your organization and your issue. Support hours are Monday-Friday, 8 am to 4 pm. Support is closed for state and federal holidays.
Individuals & Families
Please reach out to your service provider to ask if they’re participating in the Provider Directory.
- Send them a link to this Provider Directory website.
- Ask them to sign up for the Provider Directory email distribution list.
Right now, only regional centers and service providers are able to access the Provider Directory to help enter and confirm data. Future phases will focus on making the Provider Directory accessible to individuals and families.
Last modified: July 11, 2025