In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) in California are funded by the federal government, state, and counties. The program is part of Medi-Cal. 

• Federal funding - The federal share is usually 50%, but some recipients receive a higher rate. The federal reimbursement rate is based on Medicaid

• State funding - The state covers the remaining nonfederal share of costs after the county's maintenance-of-effort (MOE)

• County funding - The county's MOE is a set amount of nonfederal costs

• Recipient costs - Depending on income, recipients may have to pay a share of the cost. Some people may qualify for no-cost IHSS even if they think they have to pay a share of cost.

To qualify for IHSS, you must first qualify for Medi-Cal Funding.

For more Information, here is a link to IHSS Website: https://www.cdss.ca.gov/ihss-for-children

English IHSS Application Form: https://www.cdss.ca.gov/cdssweb/entres/forms/English/SOC295.pdf

Other Language IHSS Application Form: https://dpss.lacounty.gov/en/senior-and-disabled/ihss/recipients/forms.html

Medi-Cal in California is funded by the state and federal government. 

Funding sources for Medi-Cal are:

• Federal government: Provides the majority of Medi-Cal funding 

• State General Fund: Provides a portion of the funding 

• State and local sources: Provide a portion of the funding 

• Health plan tax revenue: Used to increase payments to doctors and other health care providers 

To qualify for Medi-Cal Funding for your child under 18 years of age, you will need to start by asking for a Medi-cal Institutional deeming waiver from your Regional Center Service Coordinator to process the Medi-Cal Process. A Medi-Cal deeming waiver, also known as institutional deeming, allows a child to receive Medi-Cal benefits even if their family's income is too high. This program helps families avoid unnecessary institutionalizations by funding home and community-based services.

For more information about Medi-Cal, here is a link to their Website: https://www.dhcs.ca.gov/services/medi-cal/Pages/default.aspx

To apply for Medi-Cal yourself, click here: https://www.dhcs.ca.gov/services/medi-cal/pages/applyformedi-cal.aspx

California's regional centers are funded by state and federal dollars through the Department of Developmental Services (DDS). These funds come from tax dollars.

Regional centers are community-based non-profits that coordinate services for people with developmental disabilities. They are the key link between individuals with developmental disabilities, their families, and the services they need. 

Regional center requirements 

• Provide services in the most cost-effective way possible

• Use all other resources before using regional center funds

• Follow the intent of the MHSA

To be eligible for Regional Funding, click here for more information: https://www.dds.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Eligibility_Guide_for_Parents_20240927.pdf

Fore more information about Regional Center elegibility:  https://undivided.io/app/resources/eligibility-under-the-lanterman-act-regional-center-services-after-age-3-7

Find your local Regional Center here: https://www.dds.ca.gov/rc/listings/

In October of 2013, Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. signed SB 468 (Emmerson) into law to create the SDP. SDP provides individuals and their families with more freedom, control, and responsibility in choosing services and supports to help them meet objectives in their Individual Program Plan.

The California Department of Developmental Services (DDS) manages funding for the Self-Determination Program (SDP). The DDS also funds regional centers, which work with Local Volunteer Advisory Committees (LVACs) to implement the SDP. You must be a regional client to start the enrollment process in SDP. 

Self-determination theory suggests that all humans have three basic psychological needs—autonomy, competence, and relatedness—that underlie growth and development. The SDP gives people more control over selecting their services and supports. One of the ways this can be done is by giving participants (or their parents or legal representatives) a specific budget to purchase the services and supports that they need to make their person-centered plan work better for them.

There are a few ways you can start the SDP enrollment process:

1. To contact your area’s Regional Center about next steps to enroll in SDP, please click Regional Center Listing for a list of regional center telephone number and ask to speak to the Self-Determination Program (SDP) Coordinator. 

2. If you need help navigating the process and your regional center’s SDP Coordinator isn’t available, please click on State Council on Developmental Disabilities website -> SCDD Regional Office Listing and click on “Regional Offices” on the top menu to contact your local SCDD Office.

3. Take State Council Developmental Disabilities (SCDD) 2hr Orientation Meeting on SDP, A certificate of completion will be provided at the completion of each module. Click here to view SCDD Calendar for the next available orientation -> https://scdd.ca.gov/sdp-orientation/. This certificate must be given to your regional service coordinator to start the enrollment process for SDP.

Once you have completed your orientation, the next steps will be discussed by your Regional Service Coordinator.