What Are Family Support Services?
By: the Mental Health & Developmental Disabilities Center
The Lanterman Act(Welfare and Institutions Code, Section 4685) mandates that Regional Centers "provide or secure family support services" that are appropriate, flexible, timely and culturally appropriate. Furthermore, family support services should "build on family strengths, natural supports, and existing community resources." Regional Centers are responsible for purchasing services through vendors when consumers’ needs cannot be met with existing community resources. Below is an alphabetized list of family support services that can be requested through the Regional Center. This list illustrates the range of services but is not intended to be comprehensive. Other services not listed here may also be available.
- Special adaptive equipment (wheelchairs, communication devices etc.)
- Facilitating advocacy and self-advocacy
- Assessment of needs
- Behavior modification programs
- Camping
- Child care
- Counseling
- Day care programs
- Diapers
- Early intervention services
- Early start program
- Educational advocacy services
- Development of employment goals
- Supported employment programs
- Family counseling
- Genetic diagnostic/counseling services
- Foster grandparent
- Habilitation Services
- Assistance in finding, modifying or maintaining a home
- Homemaker services
- Infant stimulation programs (also known as early intervention)
- Supported living programs
- Living skills training
- Specialized medical and dental care (when no other funding source exists)
- Mental health services
- Paid neighbors
- Parent support groups
- Parenting skills training
- Individual Educational Plan
- Individual Family Service Plan
- Family resource centers
- In-home respite for parents
- Paid roommates
- Senior companion program
- Sexuality training
- Sibling support groups
- Social skills training
- In-home supportive service workers
- Transportation services
- Day and vocational services
- Work activity programs
Copyright the Mental Health & Developmental Disabilities Center