Service Resource Library
Health Services
Health Services Overview
Health services at San Andreas Regional Center (SARC) support individuals with developmental disabilities by helping them access and coordinate health-related services when those needs are directly related to the individual’s disability. SARC does not provide direct medical care; instead, it works to ensure individuals receive appropriate supports when generic resources such as Medi-Cal, private insurance, or county programs are unavailable or insufficient.
How to Get Help
Talk with your Service Coordinator about health-related needs
Health services are discussed and authorized through the Individual Program Plan (IPP) process
How the Regional Center Helps
The Regional Center supports individuals by coordinating, funding, and advocating for health-related services when appropriate, while working in partnership with:
Medi-Cal and private health insurance
Medical providers and specialists
County and community-based health programs
The Regional Center does not replace services that medical insurance or other generic health programs are responsible for providing.
Your Service Coordinator
Each individual is assigned a Service Coordinator who helps guide them through the health services process. The Service Coordinator:
Helps identify health-related needs connected to the developmental disability
Coordinates assessments and documentation when needed
Develops and updates the Individual Program Plan (IPP) with the individual and family
Connects individuals to appropriate health-related supports and community resources
Monitors services and adjusts supports as needs change
Important to Know
By law, the Regional Center cannot pay for services that are covered by Medi-Cal, private insurance, or other generic resources
Health services must be directly related to the individual’s developmental disability
All services must meet Regional Center guidelines and be authorized through the IPP process
Services are individualized and based on assessed need
Health-Related Services May Include
Services are based on each individual’s needs and may include:
Nursing services and health monitoring
Speech, occupational, and physical therapy when related to the developmental disability
Behavioral and mental health supports
Assistive technology and medical-related equipment
Health-related in-home supports
Crisis coordination and stabilization supports
Every Plan Is Different
Each Individual Program Plan (IPP) is based on the person’s unique needs, goals, and circumstances
Two individuals with the same diagnosis may receive different health-related services
Ongoing Planning and Support
Health needs may change over time. The Service Coordinator works with the individual and family to review services regularly and make adjustments to support safety, independence, and overall well-being.
Health & Medical Specialist Referrals
SARC can assist in linking clients to medical professionals and specialists needed for conditions related to their developmental disabilities, including:
Nursing services – health monitoring, care coordination, skilled nursing support
Medical specialists – specialist physicians, neurologists, other doctors
Genetic counseling – for genetic conditions related to disability
Dietitian / nutrition support – dietary planning linked to health needs
Psychologists / psychiatrists – mental health and behavioral assessments
Audiologists & optometrists – hearing and vision services
Note: Regional centers help refer and coordinate these services; routine medical care is usually accessed through Medi-Cal, insurance, or community clinics.
Therapies That Support Health & Function
While not traditional medical treatment, SARC can coordinate or fund therapies that support physical and functional health when other funding isn’t available:
Physical Therapy – strength, mobility, balance improvement
Occupational Therapy – daily living skills, sensory needs
Speech-Language Therapy – communication and swallowing support
Behavioral therapy – support for emotional/behavioral health and functional behaviors
Home & Health-Monitoring Support
SARC may fund or coordinate the following supports when needed to maintain health at home:
Home health supports – including care aides or personal care assistance
Chore services / homemaker support – to maintain a safe, healthy home environment
Personal Emergency Response Systems – medical alert devices
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Assistive Health-Related Equipment & Technology
To support health, safety, and independence, SARC can assist with:
Assistive devices – walkers, communication devices, adaptive equipment
Vehicle or home modifications – to improve accessibility and safety
Crisis & Behavioral Health Linkages
While not clinical services provided directly by SARC, the center works with the START program and other systems to support whole-person health:
START (Systemic Therapeutic Assessment Resources & Treatment) – crisis support, assessment, coordinated care pathways for people with complex health and behavioral needs
Regional centers also connect clients with generic community mental health providers (e.g., county mental health clinics) when appropriate.
Health Insurance & Coverage Support
SARC helps clients access public health coverage and maximize health care access:
Medi-Cal enrollment support
Work incentives counseling related to benefits
Information on how insurance works with regional center services
🧠 Important Clarifications
SARC doesn’t operate its own medical clinics or directly provide primary health care like a doctor’s office or hospital.
Regional centers fund or coordinate health-related services when generic resources (like Medi-Cal or private insurance) are not available or when the health need is directly related to a developmental disability.
Coordination is individualized through your IPP based on assessed need.