Tri-Counties Regional Center

Clients' Rights - Getting Help

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Your Rights

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There are many ways to advocate for yourself for services that you need.

You have these rights:

  • You can talk it over with the regional center about your choice of service providers and about services and supports that are flexible and individually tailored to meet your needs.
  • If you are dissatisfied with any service decision or action by the regional center, you can request by mail a fair hearing packet including a fair hearing request form and booklet.
  • You may choose a voluntary informal meeting and/or mediation to resolve a problem issue.
  • When transferring from one regional center to another, you can receive the same types and levels of supports and services, if available, or develop a new IPP within 30 days.
  • If you need to resolve conflicts with the agency providing you direct services, you can use their fair hearing procedure.
  • You can file a complaint with the regional center Clients'Rights Advocate if you believe your rights have been violated by the regional center or service provider.

Fair Hearing

If you disagree with a regional center decision about services or eligibility or other action, you may file for a fair hearing. Ask your service coordinator for a form and instructions.

And, if you believe that the regional center has wrongly or unfairly denied your rights, you may file a complaint with the Clients' Rights Advocate. This process resolves complaints other than disputes about eligibility or the nature, scope, or amount of services, which are resolved by filing for a fair hearing.

In either case, you may contact TCRC's Clients' Rights Advocate, Katherine Mottarella, at (805) 884-7218 or e-mail Katherine@pai-ca.org

Plus, find detailed information about complaints and fair hearings, including forms, at the Department of Developmental Services website: www.dds.ca.gov/Complaints/Home.cfm

This web site includes a phone number for answering applicant questions as required by Assembly Bill 1402.