At Valley Mountain Regional Center one of our codes of ethics is teamwork. We are committed to working as a team with our colleagues and community and the cornerstone of teamwork is mutual respect. While our roles are often separate, we will focus on common goals, sharing equally in the benefits and daily challenges of making difficult decisions.
Sometimes despite our best efforts, there may be a time when we just can’t agree with each other. This can happen in any relationship. We don’t take it personal and we hope you don’t either. Luckily the Lanterman Act was prepared for this event as well and has designed an appeal process aimed at protecting the rights of people with disabilities and their families.
If this happens, clients or families may ask us to review our decision, to make sure all information was considered. We will make every effort to resolve disagreements informally, through discussion with your Service Coordinator, or their supervisor. A VMRC Service Coordinator can also provide our clients/families with information on how to contact the Office of Client Rights Advocacy, if there are complaints about how services are provided.
If the matter continues to be unresolved, our Assistant Directors with several years of experience will work with you to try to resolve the dispute in an informal mediation. If we are unable to resolve concerns informally, clients may ask the regional center to review our decision through the appeal process. An appeal is a formal request for someone to change a decision about an individual’s eligibility for services, or about the services he or she receives.
You have the right to appeal our decisions and we will support you in exercising that right. If this issue is still not settled our Compliance Manager may meet with you in a more formal setting which could either include more mediation or state level fair hearing between you and our Compliance Manager with a California Administrative Law Judge who will make a ruling to end the dispute process.
You have the right to appeal our decisions and we will support you in exercising that right. If this issue is still not settled our Compliance Manager may meet with you in a more formal setting which could either include more mediation or state level fair hearing between you and our Compliance Manager with a California Administrative Law Judge who will make a ruling to end the dispute process.
The Department of Developmental Services believes the California developmental services community is best served by the open exchange of information and opinions. DDS is also committed to providing mechanisms for the resolution of problems and complaints when they arise. A number of formal processes have been established for handling appeals and complaints. Click for the DDS Appeals Page
There are different dispute resolution and complaint processes depending on the service or if you are a consumer, family member, or service provider. Below are some helpful links to these processes:
Consumer and Family Complaint
Consumer Denial of Personal Rights
Fair Hearing
Early Start Complaint
Early Start Mediation Conference
Early Start Due Process
Provider Vendorization Appeal
Residential Provider Facility Appeal
Provider Rate Appeal
Below is an ongoing tally of the types of appeals and the outcomes at Valley Mountain Regional Center. To view the required report that the Department of Developmental Services publishes to the community, click here. Also this information is shared more regularly with our Board of Directors Consumer Services Committee and their information can be found here.
Date RC Received Fair Hearing | Fair Hearing Issue | Date of Resolution or Withdrawal | Outcome |
6/23/2023 | Eligibility | 6/27/2023 | Agreed in informal meeting to reopen for further evaluation. |
6/21/2023 | Eligibility | 7/6/2023 | Agreed in informal meeting to reopen for further evaluation. |
6/20/2023 | Door lock | 6/28/2023 | Agreement reached prior to informal meeting. |
6/19/2023 | Inactivation | 6/23/2023 | Resolved prior to informal meeting |
5/22/2023 | Inactivation | 5/22/2023 | Resolved prior to meeting |
5/19/2023 | Inactivation | 5/24/2023 | Resolved prior to meeting |
4/25/2023 | Day Program Patch | 5/3/2023 | Agreement reached in Informal Meeting |
3/24/2023 | Insurance Copays | 4/5/2023 | Agreement reached in Informal Meeting |
3/17/2023 | Eligibility | 3/29/2023 | RC agreed to reopen for assessment |
3/8/2023 | Eligibility | 4/6/2023 | Withdrawn after Informal Meeting |
2/21/2023 | Berkeley CIP Program | 3/2/2023 | Agreement reached in Informal Meeting |
1/19/2023 | Bathtub | 1/31/2023 | Agreement reached in Informal Meeting |
1/9/2023 | Car Seat Harness | 1/13/2023 | Agreement reached in Informal Meeting |
1/3/2023 | Tracker renewal | 1/10/2023 | Agreement reached prior to Informal Meeting |
12/20/2022 | Eligibility | 1/4/2023 | Agreed in Informal Meeting to redetermination and found eligible. |
12/5/2022 | Eligibility | 12/14/2022 | Determined eligible |
11/28/2022 | Digital lock | 12/15/2022 | Agreement reached in Informal Meeting |
10/31/2022 | Fence, locks, Air Tag | 4/6/2023 | Withdrawn prior to hearing |
10/21/2022 | PA | 11/23/2022 | Agreement reached in informal meeting. |
10/17/2022 | Respite, Water Safety | 10/29/2022 | Agreeable solution determined prior to meeting. |
10/5/2022 | Staff ticket for trip | 11/29/2022 | State level hearing denied claimant�s appeal. |
9/16/2022 | Transportation | 11/4/2022 | State level hearing denied claimant�s appeal. |
9/12/2022 | Eligibility | 9/27/2022 | RC agreed in Informal to reopen for determination and eventually found eligible. |
9/8/2022 | Insurance Co-pay | 9/23/2022 | Agreement reached during Informal Meeting |
9/7/2022 | Camp, Mileage, GPS Tracker | 9/28/2022 | Agreement reached in Informal Meeting |
9/7/2022 | Camp, Mileage, GPS Tracker | 9/28/2022 | Agreement reached in Informal Meeting |
8/30/2022 | Social Recreation | 12/16/2022 | Claimant representative withdrew |
8/30/2022 | Social Recreation | 12/16/2022 | Claimant representative withdrew |
8/30/2022 | Development of Person-Centered Plan | 9/13/2022 | Agreement reached at informal meeting |
8/30/2022 | Social Rec Program | 9/29/2022 | Agreement reached in Mediation |
8/30/2022 | Social Rec Program | 9/29/2022 | Agreement reached in Mediation |
8/30/2022 | Mileage, camp, computer, phone | 9/9/2022 | Parent withdrew prior to informal meeting. |
8/30/2022 | Mileage, camp, computer, social recreation | 9/9/2022 | Parent withdrew prior to informal meeting. |
8/25/2022 | Dental | 9/7/2022 | Withdrew following informal meeting with an agreement to continue to work on options for receiving the service. |
8/24/2022 | Eligibility | 9/6/2022 | Agreement reached in Informal Meeting to reopen for further assessment. |
8/10/2022 | Eligibility | 8/25/2022 | Family withdrew following informal meeting |
8/8/2022 | Insurance Co-pays | 11/21/2022 | State level hearing denied claimant�s appeal. |
8/5/2022 | PA Hours | 8/29/2022 | Agreement reached in informal meeting |
7/7/2022 | Adaptive Equipment | 8/12/2022 | Agreement reached in Mediation |
6/21/2022 | Home modifications, television, outdoor kitchen | 8/18/2022 | State level hearing denied claimant�s appeal. |
6/14/2022 | Vehicle Modification | 9/20/2022 | State level hearing denied claimant�s appeal. |
5/31/2022 | Eligibility | 6/10/2022 | Reopened for further assessment. |
5/25/2022 | Insurance Co-pays | 6/3/2022 | Determined in Informal Meeting that family was eligible for co-pay assistance. |
5/9/2022 | DME | 6/29/2022 | Alternate service agreed upon after informal meeting. |
5/4/2022 | Eligibility | 6/9/2022 | Reopened and found eligible. |
4/15/2022 | Insurance Co-Pays | 4/22/2022 | VMRC assisted in getting co-pay removed from insurance. |
4/11/2022 | Eligibility | 4/28/2022 | Reopened for assessment |
4/7/2022 | Social Recreation | 5/19/2022 | Agreement reached in mediation. |
3/28/2022 | Eligibility | 4/7/2022 | Individual withdrew prior to informal meeting. |
3/21/2022 | Insurance Co-Pays | 6/2/2022 | State level hearing ruled in favor of regional center. |
3/2/2022 | Insurance Co-pays | 3/25/2022 | Family withdrew |
1/4/2022 | Eligibility | 3/4/2022 | RC agreed to reopen for eligibility determination. |
12/28/2021 | Intensive ABA | 2/6/2022 | Agreement reached in the informal meeting. |
12/22/2021 | Eligibility | 2/10/2022 | Consumer found eligible following the informal meeting. |
12/6/2021 | Eligibility | 1/12/2022 | Withdrawn to pursue further testing |
11/3/2021 | Personal Assistance Hours | 11/18/2021 | RC agreed to fund prior to informal meeting |
11/3/2021 | Personal Assistance Hours | 11/18/2021 | RC agreed to fund prior to informal meeting |
10/30/2021 | Sleep Safe Bed | 1/10/2022 | Funded through consumer�s insurance |
10/7/2021 | ABA Co-Pays | 12/16/2021 | Claimant withdrew at end of State Level Hearing |
9/20/2021 | Respite Hours | 9/30/2021 | Claimant withdrew after Informal Meeting. |
9/9/2021 | Eligibility | 9/13/2021 | Reopened for eligibility review prior to Informal Meeting |
9/1/2021 | Eligibility | 9/10/2021 | Reopened for eligibility review prior to Informal Hearing |
8/13/2021 | Personal Assistance Hours | 11/22/2021 | Claimant withdrew prior to state level hearing. |
7/20/2021 | SSP Restoration | 7/22/2021 | RC agreed to fund prior to Informal Meeting due to change in circumstances. |
7/16/2021 | Eligibility | 8/5/2021 | Claimant submitted new information and was reopened for eligibility determination. |
7/12/2021 | Speech Therapy Co-Pays | 9/10/2021 | RC provided service following Informal Meeting and submission of further documentation. |
6/10/2021 | Respite Hours | 8/18/2021 | Agreement reached in Informal Meeting |
5/14/2021 | ABA co-pays | 8/27/2021 | OAH dismissed at State Level Hearing |
5/14/2021 | SDP-pool | 6/18/2021 | Resolution at Mediation |
4/22/2021 | Eligibility | 11/4/2021 | Determined eligible after receiving additional reports |
4/16/2021 | Van Conversion | 5/5/2021 | Claimant withdrew prior to Informal meeting |
4/9/2021 | ABA services | 7/20/2021 | Agreement reached after further information was received by RC. |
4/7/2021 | ABA co-pays | 4/22/2021 | RC provided service at Informal meeting |
3/16/2021 | Second Opinion Evaluation | 5/3/2021 | OAH dismissed issue at State Level Hearing |
3/3/2021 | Eligibility | 4/1/2021 | RC made eligible at Informal meeting |
1/29/2021 | EIBT Services | 2/4/2021 | RC provided service at Mediation |
1/25/2021 | Respite Reimbursement | 3/26/2021 | RC provided service after Informal meeting |
1/25/2021 | Respite reimbursement | 3/26/2021 | RC provided service after Informal meeting |
1/19/2021 | Out of home placement | 2/1/2021 | RC provided service at Informal meeting |
1/15/2021 | Eligibility | 2/9/2021 | Claimant withdrew without prejudice after Informal meeting |
12/3/2020 | Home Modification | 12/23/2020 | RC provided service at Informal meeting |
10/20/2020 | Autism Assessment | 11/5/2020 | Claimant withdrew without prejudice prior to Informal meeting |
9/10/2020 | Eligibility | 12/18/2020 | Claimant withdrew without prejudice at Informal meeting |
9/1/2020 | Intake application | 1/13/2021 | RC provided service at Informal meeting |
8/19/2020 | Co Pays | 9/11/2020 | RC provided service at Informal meeting |
8/3/2020 | Eligibility | 8/21/2020 | Claimant withdrew without prejudice after Informal meeting |
7/30/2020 | Eligibility | 8/31/2020 | RC made eligible at Informal meeting |
7/7/2020 | Eligibility | 7/16/2020 | Claimant withdrew without prejudice at Informal meeting |
6/8/2020 | Behavioral Services | 6/22/2020 | RC provided service at Informal meeting |
6/4/2020 | Behavioral Services | 6/19/2020 | RC provided service at Informal meeting |