Mission

	Association of Regional Center Agencies

Our Mission

The mission of the Association of Regional Center Agencies is to represent the autonomous regional centers in supporting and advancing the intent and mandate of the Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Services Act.

The Association shall function as a leader and advocate in promoting the continuing entitlement of individuals with developmental disabilities to all services that enable full community inclusion. The Association shall also participate in the development of public legislative policy and serve as a focal point for communication, education, training and prevention services.

The mission statement envisions an Association that:

Is a leader in the field of developmental disabilities and advocates on behalf of people served by regional centers.

Analyzes systemic issues and promotes ideas and strategies that lead to a more seamless and user friendly system.

Actively participates in public policy arenas, including the California Legislature, where issues related to developmental disabilities are deliberated.

Develops and disseminates information related to developmental disabilities as well as the California developmental services system.

Reviews information related to regional centers and prepares and disseminates responses or opinions.

Represents regional center interests with the Department of Developmental Services and other state agencies.

Works in cooperation with other groups and associations to promote services for persons with developmental disabilities and the regional center system.

The following goals are intended to promote the vision of a strong and active ARCA for the 2007-08 fiscal year.

California Legislative Process and Regulation Development

1.	Sponsor at least one bill that enhances services to persons with developmental disabilities.
2.	Sponsor ARCA Grassroots legislative day and reception.
3.	Provide orientation session regarding the regional center system to the legislators and their staff.
4.	Track pertinent state and federal legislation affecting California’s developmental services delivery system.
5.	Maintain and update ARCA Bill File for association members.
6.	Provide expert witnesses and testimony on specific legislation tracked by ARCA.
7.	Develop an ARCA-approved legislative agenda.
8.	Develop and maintain ongoing relationships with key legislative members and staff.
9.	Comment and testify on Title 17 Regulation development and other regulations affecting persons served by regional centers, including but not limited to the following -- Self-Directed Services -- Supported Living Services

State Budget Process and Related Issues

1. Develop positions on major budget issues.

2. Provide in-depth budget analysis for the 2007-08 fiscal year budget bill.

3. Monitor all budget hearings related to regional center budget appropriations.

4. Provide oral and written budget testimony regarding the 2007-08 fiscal year Budget Act.

5. Work cooperatively with staff from DDS, Department of Finance, Legislative Analyst’s Office, and the California Legislature on budget proposals relating to the developmental services delivery system.

6. Develop budget initiatives for legislative consideration by the Executive and Legislative branches.

7. Propose budget allocation methodologies and strategies to DDS.

8. Review regional center Sufficiency of Allocation Reports in conjunction with DDS.

9. Work cooperatively with DDS to develop a new information system as well as modify and enhance the current decentralized system. Related to long term development of a new system, ARCA will engage an independent consultant to advise on what meets regional center information technology business needs as well as DDS needs for information.

10. Actively participate with DDS in the expansion of federal Medicaid Waiver revenue into the regional center system.

11. Analyze regional center Purchase of Service projections to ascertain statewide trends.

12. Analyze regional center expenditures by service code to determine major drivers of regional center expenditures.

13. Cooperate with DDS on the definition of regional center purchase-of-service service codes and rates set by regional centers.

14. Maintain communication with the administration, the legislature and financial institutions regarding regional center cash flow issues.

External Relations and Consumer Issues

1. Develop and maintain pro-active relations with stakeholder groups and organizations within the developmental services community.

2. Develop and maintain effective relationships with staff from DDS and other key state departments.

3. Negotiate Regional Center standard agreement contract language with DDS.

4. Promote initiatives to reduce the incidence of developmental disabilities.

5. Promote research programs which lessen the impact of developmental disabilities among infants and children.

6. Participate in actions that lead to obtaining affordable permanent housing options for regional center consumers throughout the state of California.

7. Provide support to epidemiological research activities related to the increasing numbers of persons diagnosed with autism in California.

8. Continue participation on Mental Health Collaborative to engage contractors to implement the work plan developed by the committee and approved by DDS and DMH.

9. Sponsor a mental health summit on the issue of dual diagnosis geared towards regional center and mental health directors.

10. Continue to work with DDS regarding Community Placement Plan and developmental center admission issues through the ARCA Community Placement Plan Task Force.

11. Work cooperatively with the Bay Area Project planning for the closure of Agnews Developmental Center.

12. Work cooperatively with DDS and new Risk Management contractor regarding the regional center Special Incident Reporting system. Work with DDS on implementation of the revised CDER.

13. Participate with DDS and other stakeholders in the creation of an Independence Plus Waiver with the objective to capture federal financial participation for consumers participating in self determination service options.

14. Review actions by the Department of Developmental Services relating to the proposed implementation of an Interagency Agreement regarding forensic consumers between DDS, Dept. of Corrections and Board of Prison Terms.

15. Advise ARCA members on a periodic basis of significant legislation and/or initiatives impacting services to persons with developmental disabilities in California.

16. Participate on the Coalition for the Preservation of the Lanterman Act. Develop common points of consensus when feasible.

17. Participate in the California Coalition for Compassionate Care Developmental Disabilities Task Force.

18. Work in cooperation with the State Council on Developmental Disabilities and the Department of Developmental Services to implement provisions contained in SB 1270 (Chesbro) regarding daytime activities for adults, including the SCDD recommendations.

Internal Issues and Relationships

1. Provide staff support and assistance to ARCA meetings, committees and groups.

2. Support one Board Member Delegates Group planning session.

3. ARCA Executive Director, Legislative Advisor, and Policy Analyst will attend meetings of regional center boards at their request.

4. Support the ARCA Consumer Advisory Committee to provide primary consumer perspective and representation to the ARCA Board of Directors and the ARCA Executive Committee.

5. Review the ARCA Bylaws.

6. Hold conference calls with regional center directors and, when necessary, board member delegates regarding time sensitive and important issues in between regularly scheduled ARCA meetings.

7. Provide training and orientation to ARCA board member delegates at each ARCA meeting.

8. Update performance expectations for California regional centers.

9. Revise the ARCA Strategic Plan.

10. The ARCA Executive Director will provide information and analysis to ARCA "discipline groups" including Chief Counselors and Administrators.

11. Review ARCA resource capability and capacity to meet the evolving needs of the association and implement the stated goals and objectives.

12. Create statewide regional center resource development group.

Education and Training

1. Sponsor "Final Journeys" conference regarding quality end-of-life choices.

2. Work cooperatively with DDS in promoting statewide and local wellness initiatives.

3. Provide support, training and consultation to regional center administrators.

4. Provide input to the California Legislative Blue Ribbon Commission on Autism.

5. Sponsor Developmental Disabilities/Mental Health summit in conjunction with California Mental Health Directors Association.

6. Begin the planning process for an ARCA New Day 2009 conference to focus on employment issues for regional center consumers.

7. Begin the development of an ARCA Grassroots program to assist and support existing regional center efforts.

Issues and Reports Affecting the Regional Center System

1. Work cooperatively with state departments (primarily DDS) on legislative issues.

2. When developed, respond to DDS' outcome based consumer performance criteria.

3. Monitor the effectiveness of the transfer of the Habilitation Program from the Department of Rehabilitation to DDS and regional centers. Assess impact on regional center Operations budgets. Also assess impact on supported employment placements

4. Work in cooperation with the Administration and the Health and Human Services Agency to seek resolution to the Adoption Assistance rate issue and assist in its implementation.

5. Review and respond, if necessary, to the Administration's Medi-Cal Reform Initiative and its impact on medical and related services to persons with developmental disabilities.

6. Participate in the DDS Disaster Preparedness Advisory Committee.

7. Develop strategies to ensure regional centers do not pay for services that are the responsibility of generic agencies (especially education).

8. Monitor the Health and Human Services Agency Olmstead Advisory Committee and provide information as necessary.

Public Relations and Information Sharing

1. Update ARCA public relations plan.

2. Assure that any new public relations materials are consumer-friendly.

3. Coordinate media training at the request of regional centers.

4. Respond to crises and media press coverage of the regional center system providing ARCA point of view.

5. Respond to media requests for interviews and comments about issues affecting the regional center system.

6. Maintain on-going working relationships with local and statewide media persons.

7. Produce ARCA Yearly Calendar and distribute to legislators and other interested parties.

8. Provide timely information to ARCA members regarding significant events and actions affecting the developmental services delivery system, including budget and legislative updates.

9. Maintain and update, as necessary, the ARCA web site.

10. Seek funding for a family and consumer friendly computer-based information and networking tool (Network of Care)..

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