GGRC Stands for Golden Gate Regional Center. From the ggrc.org: "Golden Gate Regional Center is a state- and federal-funded nonprofit organization serving individuals with developmental disabilities in Marin, San Francisco and San Mateo counties. " GGRC Services are at no cost to the student or their family.

• Your student is assigned a case manager that can help answer some of your questions regarding post-high school options (including housing, Adult Day Care programs, even work experience).

• GGRC can provide you respite services. In other words, they can pay (or give you money to hire) someone to help you care for your student, either to relieve you of  providing your student their constant care, or for medical care, among other things.  More information <click here>

• Other examples of services - referral and funding to other agencies that can support college, assistive technology, employment, independent living, housing, transportation (like a bus pass or paratransit shuttle) and training for riding public transit.

• They also like to promote independence and self-determination, so often have webinars or training on this topic.

• This is just a sample of typical services families receive. If you have an idea or need that would enrich your student's quality of life, it is worth it to ask your GGRC counselor. 

• For more information about GGRC Services <click here>

Any individual with a developmental disability that originatated before age 18, is likely to continue indefinitely, and constitutes as a "substantial disability".  GGRC's definition for "developmental disability" is a disability that is attributable to any of the following conditions:

• Intellectual disability (formerly known as "mental retardation")

• Cerebral palsy

• Epilepsy

• Autism

• Disabling conditions found to be closely related to intellectual disability or to require treatment similar to that required for individuals with an intellectual disability

(This definition does not include any disabling condition that is solely psychiatric, solely a learning disability or solely physical in nature.) 

More information on eligibility at ggrc.org

• The best way is to email your interest to intake@ggrc.org. They will assign an intake counselor and call you to ask some screening questions, usually about your child's developmental milestones and medical history. Then they will require some documentation of disability, including but not limited to: school psychoeducational reports, medical reports. 

• If you do not have access to email, you may call 1-888-339-3305 (however past practice shows that emailing shows quicker response time).

• When emailing or calling, you may request a counselor that speaks Spanish or your home language.

• Best for parents to request GGRC services six (6) months prior to your student's 18th birthday.  After 18 years old, the counselors legally must ask your student for permission to include you in meetings and discussions.

• More information on applying for services at ggrc.org

NO! You do not! GGRC is not an employment service so a social security card is not needed for eligibilty.

• YES! While your student is in school, GGRC takes a back seat because the public school system provides many services under IDEA -  Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.  When your student turns 22 years of age, GGRC will become more involved as they assist with the transition to post school programs.  

• It is suggested you begin to invite your GGRC counselor to IEPs the year before your child exits high school or turns 22 years of age (if student is attending TRACE).  

• However, if you have an idea or need that would enrich your student's quality of life outside of the school day, it is worth it to ask your GGRC counselor.

• Click here and look on page 2 for information about what services you can access while your child is in high school and post high school (including TRACE)

• HCBS  stands for Home and Community Based Services

• Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) were developed to offer support to individuals in community settings as opposed to institutionalized care (Source: ggrc.org)

• The intent is to "ensure that individuals receiving services and supports through Medicaid's Home and Community Based Services programs have full access to the benefits of community living and are able to receive services in the most integrated setting."  (Source: ggrc.org)

• More about the HCBS requirements on the ggrc.org website here.

• Look for HCBS newsletter to hear about any new recreation events or services here.  View a sample newsletter from August 2024 here.