Question 1

What does Inland Regional Center mean by social recreation?

Accepted Answer

California law says social recreation, camping and nonmedical therapies, including specialized recreation, art, dance and music, should be widely available to the people regional centers serve. It's meant not only for socialization, but to help people lead the lives they want in the community.

Question 2

How do we ask for it?

Accepted Answer

Through your IPP, the Individual Program Plan you build with your service coordinator. DDS says the decision about these services must be rooted in the IPP process. Bring it up at your next planning meeting, or contact your service coordinator to ask for one.

Question 3

Does the class have to be a special needs class?

Accepted Answer

No. DDS told regional centers they must not limit funding to services that are specialized for people with disabilities. They also can't require that a service meet both a recreation need and a socialization need, and they can't prohibit 1:1 services such as private lessons.

Question 4

Will we have to pay part of the cost?

Accepted Answer

Since July 1, 2023, a regional center can't require a copayment or shared-pay arrangement for social recreation, camping or nonmedical therapies.

Question 5

Our favorite studio isn't an Inland Regional Center vendor. Can we still go there?

Accepted Answer

Possibly. The studio can become a vendor, or, if it mostly serves the general public, it may be paid through a Financial Management Service (code 459) without vendoring. Ask your service coordinator which options fit your family.

Question 6

What are my options for accepting Inland Regional Center funding?

Accepted Answer

There are three common setups: Vendored — you apply through the DDS Provider Directory, get approved and receive a vendor number, and Inland Regional Center can then pay you directly. FMS (code 459) — if your service is mostly delivered to people who aren't regional center clients, a family's Financial Management Service can pay you, and regional center vendorization is not required. Parent reimbursement — in some cases, a family pays you and the regional center reimburses them (service code 024).

Question 7

Which one is right for my studio?

Accepted Answer

It depends on who you serve and how many regional center families you expect. If most of your students come from the general public, FMS may be simplest. If you want to build a program for people Inland Regional Center serves, vendoring usually makes more sense. That's exactly what we sort out on a call.

Question 8

Do I need a program design to be vendored for social recreation?

Accepted Answer

For code 525 at Inland Regional Center, yes. We confirmed it with IRC's Resource Development and Transportation Unit.

Question 9

How much does a regional center pay vendors for social recreation?

Accepted Answer

It depends on your setup. If you charge the general public a regular rate and at least 30% of the people you serve aren't regional center clients, a regional center may pay your Usual and Customary rate — what you already charge everyone. Otherwise DDS publishes set rates for code 525 by regional center, paid per billable hour. Check the DDS Department Set Rates page or ask Inland Regional Center. DDS no longer issues separate rate letters for 525.

Question 10

Will vendorization bring me referrals?

Accepted Answer

Not guaranteed. DDS says vendorization in no way obligates a regional center to purchase services, and Inland Regional Center says it does not guarantee referrals. Families choose providers through their own planning process, so many vendors also reach out to local families directly.

Question 11

Can Inland Regional Center turn me down because it doesn't need more providers?

Accepted Answer

No. A regional center must vendor an applicant who meets all the requirements for the service in its catchment area, and a perceived lack of need is not a valid reason to deny vendorization. But approval still doesn't guarantee referrals.

Question 12

Do you guarantee approval?

Accepted Answer

No. Only Inland Regional Center decides whether you're approved. We help you prepare clear, complete paperwork, and you sign and submit it yourself.

Inland Regional Center Social Recreation: FAQ for Families and Providers

For families: how to ask for social recreation, camp or art/dance/music in your IPP

For providers: vendored, FMS (459) or parent reimbursement, and what each means for you

Rates, referrals and what vendorization does not guarantee

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