Appeals Process (Formerly Fair Hearings)

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The Appeals Process (Formerly Fair Hearings)

What is it?

It is a process to resolve disagreements between the regional center or state developmental center and recipients of or applicants for service who are 3 years or older (Welfare and Institutions Code 4705 Section (a)(1). The disagreements may be about eligibility, new service requests, changes/termination to existing services, or any decision proposed by the regional center or state developmental center that you disagree with.

For a better understanding of this process, please refer to the following: https://www.dds.ca.gov/general/appeals-complaints-comments/fair-hearings-complaint-process/

For questions, please contact Daniel Ibarra, SG/PRC Manager of Appeals and Resolution at (909) 710-8818 or email at dibarra@sgprc.org or Rosa Fernandez, Appeal & Resolutions Specialist at (909) 710-8916 or email at rfernandez@sgprc.org

Lanterman Act Eligibility & Service Appeals Information Packet and Forms:

Lanterman Act Eligibility & Service Appeals Information Packet: The Information Packet explains the appeals process under the Lanterman Act.
DS1820/Notice of Action (NOA): A NOA is sent to you upon request when you do not agree with a regional center’s decision about services or eligibility. https://www.dds.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/DS1820-Notice-of-Action-NOA.pdf
DS1821/Appeal Request: An Appeal Request is completed by the applicant for/recipient of regional center services, or authorized representative when they would like to appeal regional center’s decision. https://www.dds.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/DS1821-Appeal-Request-Form.pdf
DS1822/Notification of Resolution (NOR): form is completed when the issue/s identified are resolved and the appeal process is no longer necessary. It is also used to withdraw the appeal request. https://www.dds.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/DS1822-NOR.pdf

Information Packet and Forms regarding the Appeals Process (Formerly Fair Hearings) are provided in 18 languages on the DDS website. To access other languages, click here

Latest News/Announcements

JANUARY 2022

New Advisory Committee to Advise on the Lanterman Act Hearing Process

DDS and the Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH) are accepting applications for the new Lanterman Act Hearing Advisory Committee (LAHAC). This Committee will provide input to the departments regarding mediations and hearings conducted by the OAH.

To be considered as an initial committee member, applications are due by January 31, 2023. Please email Ombudsperson@dds.ca.gov with any questions.

Nuevo Comité Asesor para asesorar sobre el proceso de audiencia de la Ley Lanterman

El DDS y la Oficina de Audiencias Administrativas (OAH, por sus siglas en inglés) están aceptando solicitudes para el nuevo Comité Asesor de Audiencias de la Ley Lanterman (LAHAC). Este Comité brindará información a los departamentos sobre las mediaciones y audiencias realizadas por OAH.

Para ser considerado como miembro inicial del comité, las solicitudes deben entregarse antes del 31 de enero de 2023. Por favor comparte esta información con sus redes. Envíe un correo electrónico a Ombudsperson@dds.ca.gov si tiene alguna pregunta.

SEPTEMBER 2022

Senate Bill 188 - https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202120220SB188 ) has made changes to the appeal process. It has added section WIC 4705.5 to the Welfare and Institutions Codes of the Lanterman Act. The section describes how individuals and regional centers may utilize attorneys during the appeal process. This section becomes effective on October 1, 2022.

Click here to view DDS Letter re: Use of Attorneys in the Appeal Process

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