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11504-Social Recreation and Camp Procedure

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Link to TCADD Policy 11501

Like to TCADD Policy 11601

SCOPE:

This procedure applies to all Service Coordinators and Services and Supports Managers of Tri-Counties Regional Center (TCRC). This procedure applies to all requests for social recreation activities and camp services under the Lanterman Act.

OVERVIEW OF RESTORED SERVICES:

Effective July 1, 2021, changes to Welfare and Institutions (W&I) Code section 4648.5 restored regional center authority to fund camping services and associated travel expenses; social recreation activities; educational services for children three to 17, inclusive, years of age; and nonmedical therapies, including, but not limited to, specialized recreation, art, dance, and music.

TCRC’s procedure on social recreation and camp activities will guide the service coordinator and planning team to maximize opportunities for the individual served to develop relationships and to be a part of their community life. (Policies 11501-Family Supports for School-Age Children and Young Adults and 11601-Family Supports for Adults-linked above.)

TCRC can purchase social recreational and camp activities when an individual or family member of a minor has expressed an interest for the person to connect to the community, and based on their developmental disability, social recreational and camp activities will help support those connections which are identified as a goal(s) in the Individual Program Plan (IPP).

Regional centers must not require a family member to exhaust services under the In-Home Supported Services (IHSS) program, or exchange respite hours or any other service authorized by the Regional Center in order to fund services.

Regional centers cannot require a co-payment or shared pay arrangement in order to fund the services.

Additionally, priority must be made to refer individuals and their families to existing opportunities for social recreation and camp services and fund those services directly along with the supports needed to access them.

SOCIAL RECREATION ACTIVITIES

Social recreation activities support community integration and enhance an individual’s opportunity to make social connections and promote the natural development to learn and grow based on an individual’s interests. Some examples of social recreation activities can include but are not limited to hobbies and leisure activities, sports clubs, swimming classes, gymnastics and club memberships, culture and the arts, such as music and dance classes. The activity must have an integrated approach and provide the opportunity for social interaction.

CAMP SERVICES

Camp contributes to the individual’s emotional, physical, and social growth by using the resources of natural surroundings. Camp service can be provided for a full day or for a number of hours per day.  Camp can also be for a set number of days or occur over periods of time throughout the year.

Camp service can also be a residential camp that provides a creative experience in outdoor living on a 24-hour per day basis for a limited period of time. Camp services must contribute to the physical, emotional, and social growth of the individual.

Note: Social recreation activities and camp services are not therapy nor should they provide therapeutic interventions. They are not meant to replace social skills services. For consideration of non-medical therapy services, the service coordinator will discuss the request with their manager and may also consult with the local Clinician and Autism Coordinator.

PLANNING TEAM CONSIDERATIONS FOR SOCIAL RECREATION ACTIVITIES AND CAMP SERVICES:

  • The individual is eligible for Lanterman Services (Status 2) or is Provisionally Eligible (Status U).
  • The planning team has identified a need to support social recreation activities or camp services to help develop, improve, or support existing friendships in a person’s natural environment.
  • The planning team agrees that there is a need for organized opportunities and additional support in accessing social recreation activities and camp. 
  • The planning team has documented the need in the IPP and has developed a goal/desired outcome that social recreation activities and camp services support.
  • The planning team identifies that all opportunities will be integrated within the local community and will offer an environment that supports an individual’s emotional, physical, and social growth.
  • For children and families who cannot easily access existing social recreation activities or camp, the planning team shall be creative in identifying alternative opportunities.
  • Social recreation activities and camp are not to be considered childcare services.

Note: For those residing in a licensed care facility or participating in a day program, social recreation activities already provided as part of the current program should be consider in the overall needs/ support plan.

PLANNING TEAM PROCESS FOR SOCIAL RECREATION AND CAMP ACTIVITIES:

  • After a request has been made for TCRC to fund a social recreation activity or camp, the planning team will hold a planning team meeting within 30 days to review and discuss the service request, support needs, and develop a desired outcome that the social recreation or camp activity supports.
  • After the planning team agreement to fund the social recreation activity or camp services has been determined and a desired outcome is agreed upon, the Service Coordinator will amend the IPP to authorize the social recreation activity or camp service.
  • There will be no requirement for the individual or family to exhaust services under the In-Home Supported Services (IHSS) program prior to Regional Center funding. 
  • There will be no requirement for an individual or family to exchange respite hours or any other service authorized by the regional center in order to fund services.
  • There will be no requirement for a co-payment or shared pay arrangement in order to fund the services.

Per WIC 4646(h)-If final agreement regarding the services and supports to be provided cannot be reached at a planning team meeting, then a subsequent planning team meeting shall be convened within 15 days or later at the request of the parent, legal guardian, or authorized representative.

The service coordinator should discuss the request and any concerns related to the request with their manager to determine next steps, which can include an internal discussion with the Clinical Team, Autism Coordinator, Assistant Director, or Director of Services and Supports.

If TCRC cannot fund the request, an answer, in writing, must be provided to the parent and/or conservator or authorized representative no later than 15 days and due process must be followed, which may include a Notice of Action (NOA).

AUTHORIZATION OF SOCIAL RECREATION ACTIVITIES AND CAMP SERVICES:

  • The service coordinator will determine if the selected service provider is a contracted vendor with TCRC to provide social recreation activities and camp services.
    • If the provider is vendored, the service can be authorized directly.
    • Services should not be set to automatically roll.
  • If the family is going to be reimbursed directly for the service this will be done through the 024SRA-service code and should follow these steps:
    • The Ven600 then goes to the Community Development Coordinator with receipts. A packet goes to the family for completion. The Service Coordinator should follow up with the family to offer support and assist in completing the packet. The packet is then returned to the Community Development Coordinator. A vendor number is then created, and the service coordinator and Purchase of Services (POS) Accounting Manager is notified. The POS Accounting Manager will enter the rate in SANDIS and will notify the service coordinator.
    • The service coordinator can now authorize reimbursement for the service by generating the POS and notifying the local manager for approval.
  • Participant Directed Services: Social Recreation and Camp Services can also be funded through a Financial Management Service (FMS) if the provider is not vendored by a regional center and primarily provides services to individuals not served by regional centers.
  • There will be a service code for the direct service as well as the FMS fee.
  • Participant Directed Social Recreation and Camp (Service Code 459)
  • FMS fee (Service Code 490)

Revision Date: December 2023