Vendor Service Requirements
For New and Ongoing Providers
See information and links in each section below for details about service implementation and vendorization requirements
For New and Ongoing Providers
See information and links in each section below for details about service implementation and vendorization requirements
Early Start services are for children age 0-36 months who have a 25% delay in one or more areas of development, OR an Established risk for a developmental disability, OR 2 or more risk factors, OR have a parent with a developmental disability
Over 3 services, also known as Lanterman services or Status 2 clients, must be made eligible with a developmental disability of Intellectual disability, Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Epilepsy, or other conditions closely related to one of these. The DD must have originated prior to age 18, be likely to continue indefinitely, and constitute a substantial disability in 3 or more areas of development/ functioning.
Follow these links if you would like to learn more about client Eligibility Requirements, Client Application Process, or Services that SDRC provides for clients.
Other helpful links for providers:
DDS Website with information regarding vendorization, rates, regulations, service codes, and more
SDRC website with information on all our services, the instructions to apply, and billing and SIR info
Please review all service code requirements and understand the requirements prior to applying. If you have any questions about any of the services, speak to your resource coordinator. Some services may require an initial phone call or Zoom meeting to review specifics.
Zoom info sessions will be held every Thursday at 1pm in March to review any questions you may have
Service providers, and any staff under them, must meet the minimum education and experience requirements for the service code they are applying for. If you are unsure if you meet requirements, please email your resume and credentials/ license for review.
If you are applying for multiple service codes, you must submit a separate application packet and any other requirements such as program design or scope of work for each service code. Please review the links under the different service code descriptions below for specific requirements.
You must have an address in San Diego or Imperial County in order to be directly vendored. You may not be vendored with more than one regional center with the same address. If you are interested in courtesy vendorizations with other regional centers, or you live on a border to another county, please discuss options with your resource coordinator
All services must be provided within SDRC catchment areas of San Diego or Imperial Counties unless otherwise approved
All Early Start and Behavior services must be provided in home or natural environment unless approved ahead of time in another location. Clinic based services are rarely funded through SDRC, especially for Early Start. Telehealth services, while allowed, must be family driven and pre-approved. We are unable to vendor providers that are solely telehealth based.
All Service Providers are 1099 contractors of SDRC. You are responsible for your own business structure, comprehensive insurance, taxes and withholdings, and business expenses.
You may apply as a sole proprietor, an LLC, or a corporation. However you report to the IRS is how SDRC reports to the IRS. Keep this in mind as you are deciding how you want to set up your business. If your Tax ID, business name, or other IRS reportable information changes, we will need to revendor you. So if you decide to go from a sole proprietor to an LLC in 6 months, you will need to go through the application process again.
If you are planning on hiring employees, please make sure that you have the appropriate business structure and tax ID to do so. All employees of vendored agencies must be W2 employees unless explicitly approved to have subcontractors. Providers are responsible for following all CA and federal tax and labor laws
SDRC can not provide small business or tax advice. It is recommended that you consult with a small business attorney or CPA if you are unsure of how to set up your business or the requirements for hiring employees. There are pros and cons to each business structure based on your business goals and this is best determined with an expert prior to your application.
Rates for service codes 116, 805, 612, 620, and related staffing codes are set by DDS and are non- negotiable. For current rate models by service code and Regional Center, please see HERE
Kristen van den Broek is the resource coordinator that oversees Early Start, Behavior, Psychology, and Specialized Therapeutic Services. If you are interested in applying for other services, please review our Community Services resource page for service and resource coordinator information or contact Kristen to get further information.
Children age 0- 36 months who are eligible for the Early Start Program through SDRC may qualify for the below services based on their identified developmental concerns and needs.
The below list is not all inclusive, if there are other services that you are interested in learning more about providing, please reach out to your resource coordinator.
Service Code 116- Specialized Therapeutic Services
Occupational Therapy
Speech and Language Pathology
Physical Therapy
Service Code 805- Infant Development Programs
Infant Development programs, also known as infant or early childhood education or specialized instruction
Project ImPact
Other therapeutic or support services may be added to a comprehensive Infant Program, please follow link for details
Behavior Services can be provided to Early Start or Lanterman individuals who meet criteria based on their identified developmental concerns and needs.
The most common behavior services are usually intensive ABA or behavior consult for both Early Start and Lanterman programs. Please follow this LINK for detailed information and vendor requirements for these programs.
There may be specialized behavior programs such as crisis intervention or wrap-around services. If you are interested in learning more about these please contact your resource coordinator.
Behavior services may also be integrated in to different programs such residential placements, specialized adult day services, supported living programs, or respite care. Many of these do not require a direct vendorization, as they are included in the vendorization for the primary service. Please contact your resource coordinator to obtain further information or be referred to the service coordinator who oversees these services.
Service Code 612- BCBA supervisor
Service Code 620- Licensed professional (LCSW, LMFT, Psychologist, etc) with required behavior education and experience
Other behavior service codes include 613, 615, and 616. These service codes refer to staffing levels for direct behavior management assistants, techs, and paraprofessionals. They are unable to be individually vendored, as they all require some level of supervision. When applying for either 612 or 620, these staffing levels can be added to the vendorization
Service code 605- Adaptive Skills Training is overseen by resource coordinator Nicole.Goetz@sdrc.org. please contact her for requirements
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Once eligibity is determined, the client will be assigned a service coordinator, who will lead a planning team meeting with the client, parents/ caregivers, and/ or other family members, friends, or professionals as needed to discuss identified developmental needs, family/ individual concerns, and potential services that could support the individual. Case management is the primary direct service that SDRC provides and the service coordinator will be your main point of contact for all client service needs.
An Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP) for Early Start, or an Individual Program Plan (IPP) for over 3, is created and updated regularly or as needed with needs and outcomes.
All traditional services must be implemented according to Title 17 regulations
No direct services may be started without being added to the service plan and agreed upon by the planning team. If a provider starts services without authorization, or adds or changes services without approval, they may not get paid for these services.
Services and resources will be explored based on individual needs and outcomes and a review of current services and service requirements. Not all individuals or families will receive all services, and SDRC may not be able to fund some services based on a variety of factors.
SDRC may directly fund some services, may refer family to outside agencies and community partners such as school districts, hospitals, and medical practitioners to obtain service, or help family explore other free or low cost resources through the community.
SDRC is the payor of last resort, which means natural resources such as family or community supports, school and extracurricular programs, as well as other funding sources such as the school district, insurance, and CCS must be pursued prior to SDRC funding
Early Start services have very strict timelines for service implementation, so in many cases SDRC will fund immediately while other funding options are being pursued
Over 3 services have much stricter requirements in regards to funding. Developmental or medical need must be demonstrated and denials must be obtained from other funding sources prior to service implementation