September 12, 2022

DVU Brief:

FMSs need a 3 business day notice of changes made to the Spending Plan.

Regional center should pay the FMSs weekly.

 

Directive

September 12, 2022

TO: REGIONAL CENTER EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS

SUBJECT: SELF-DETERMINATION PROGRAM: FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT SERVICES PAYMENTS AND NOTIFICATIONS

Welfare and Institutions (W&I) Code section 4639.6 authorizes the Director of the Department of Developmental Services (Department) to issue directives to regional centers as the Director deems necessary to protect consumer rights, health, safety, or welfare, or in accordance with W&I Code section 4434. Regional centers must comply with directives issued by the Director pursuant to this section.

In response to concerns raised by family members and Financial Management Services (FMS) providers regarding invoicing and payment processes, and to ensure services and supports vital to the health, safety or wellbeing of Self-Determination Program participants are uninterrupted, the Department is requiring regional centers to:

1. Effective October 1, 2022, and until this directive is rescinded, notify the FMS provider within three business days of the planning team finalizing any change in a participant’s spending plan.
2. Effective October 1, 2022 through January 31, 2023, establish a schedule by which the regional center will provide payment to FMS providers on a weekly basis, including for services that have been provided in the current month, as invoices are submitted by the FMS provider.

If participants and/or their families have questions regarding this directive, they should contact their regional center. Questions from regional centers should be directed to sdp@dds.ca.gov.

 

Sincerely,

Original Signed by:

NANCY BARGMANN

Director

 

cc: Regional Center Administrators

Regional Center Directors of Consumer Services

Regional Center Community Services Directors

Association of Regional Center Agencies

State Council on Developmental Disabilities

Brian Winfield, DDS

Carla Castañeda, DDS

Jim Knight, DDS

Ernie Cruz, DDS

Tim Travis, DDS

 

Link to Directive 

Self-Determination Program: Financial Management Services Payments and Notifications (English)

Self-Determination Program: Financial Management Services Payments and Notifications (Spanish)

Self-Determination Program: Financial Management Services Payments and Notifications (Korean)