Background

In 2016, ABX2 1 (Chapter 3, Statutes of 2016) added Welfare and Institutions (W&I) Code section 4519.5(h), allocating $11 million annually to the Department of Developmental Services to help regional centers (RCs) implement strategies that reduce disparities in service access. In FY 2017, AB 107 [Chapter 18, Statutes of 2017] amended W&I Code section 4519.5 to allow additional community-based organizations to receive grant funds in addition to RCs. The Department remains committed to learning more about the challenges individuals and families face in accessing services and using available resources to make measurable progress in reducing disparities in purchase of service (POS) authorizations, utilization, and expenditures, as well as other indicators of service access and equity.

Disparate Access to Services

For more than two decades, studies conducted by universities, research organizations, the Department, and RCs have consistently shown that individuals with developmental disabilities from communities of color are less likely to receive RC generic services or experience a delay in receiving the services they need to thrive. When services are received, these individuals often receive fewer POS dollars per capita compared to their peers.

While the root causes of these disparities are complex and continue to be examined, statewide stakeholder meetings, local community meetings, and family testimonies have identified several themes, including:

  • Limited supply of culturally and linguistically appropriate and accessible information, service options, and providers.
  • Language barriers and limited access to interpretation or translation, leading to misunderstandings of service delivery systems
  • Cultural and systemic barriers, including racism, discrimination, and discomfort advocating for their needs or preferences in the face of resistance, which can discourage some individuals and families from requesting services and exercising their rights.
  • Mistrust of public systems among some communities of color and historically underserved populations, often tied to fear of jeopardizing immigration status or to past negative experiences with institutions involving racism, discrimination, or bias.
  • Socioeconomic challenges that limit individuals’ and families’ ability to access RC and generic services.

Statewide Strategies

California statute requires RCs to collaborate annually with the Department to collect data on POS authorizations, utilization, and expenditures. RCs must also meet with members of their local communities each year to share this data, discuss barriers, and identify opportunities to improve services for underserved populations. The outcomes of these meetings are then reported to the Department, which uses the information, along with stakeholder input, to guide statewide strategies to advance equity in service delivery.

Award Determination

Beginning the 2025-27 funding cycle, the Service Access and Equity grant guidelines will now be released biennially. As part of each cycle, the Department issues a Call for Applicants announcement in multiple threshold languages. In addition, the Department hosts a Bidder’s Conference to provide an overview of the application process and support applicants in preparing competitive proposals. Applicants can learn more about the application process, project types, and grant priorities by referring to the SAE Grant Guidelines.

Each proposal will be subject to an evaluation by a review committee consisting of Department staff and representatives across other state agencies. The review process will score proposals on criteria such as, but not limited to, how they address the target population’s challenges, incorporate community input in design and implementation, and include plans to evaluate effectiveness.

Project Evaluation

All funded organizations are required to submit quarterly reports for the duration of the project. The Department will evaluate each report submitted to ensure funding is being used in accordance with state rules, sufficient data is being collected to measure the project’s effectiveness, and the project’s goals and objectives are being achieved. At the end of the project term, grantees must also submit a comprehensive final evaluation report that details the effectiveness of the project in reducing disparities in POS expenditures.


Share  

Last modified: December 15, 2025