San Diego Regional Center (SDRC): Phone, Offices and Intake

How do I reach San Diego Regional Center?

What does San Diego Regional Center do?

• Adaptive skills trainingA professional works with your family member at home on everyday skills, one small step at a time, so they need you less.
• RespiteAnother adult takes over care for a few hours so you get time off. SDRC’s tool gives 8 to 40 hours a month, and more with a manager’s review.
• Behavior servicesHelp with hard behavior. Parents finish SDRC’s orientation and an 8-hour group class first.
• Day programsFor adults 22 and up, or younger adults who have finished high school.
• Independent living skillsTraining in cooking, cleaning, bills and laundry for adults, even while they live with their parents.
• Social recreation and campActivities and camp when your family member has few chances to be social. You can even pick a class or camp that isn’t on SDRC’s list.
• TransportationFor a child, only when a parent rides along and the family shows in writing that it can’t drive.
• DiapersFrom age 3, with a toilet goal in the plan unless the team rules it out. Younger only if the family can’t afford them.

SDRC pays last. It funds a service only when Medi-Cal, insurance, IHSS, CCS or another source can’t.

Who qualifies for SDRC, and how do I apply?

Step by step

1. Fill out the first form.Use SDRC’s online form for ages 3 to 17 or for adults, in seven languages. Or call (858) 576-2938, email intake@sdrc.org, or in Imperial County call (760) 355-8383.
2. An intake coordinator calls.Expect a call within 15 working days. An adult applies for themselves or through a conservator.
3. SDRC decides.The decision comes within 120 days of the start of intake. If your family member qualifies, the first plan follows within 60 days.

Who qualifies, in more detail: our eligibility page.

Quick answers

How do I reach my SDRC service coordinator?

• Email them.SDRC staff emails are the first name, a dot and the last name, then @sdrc.org. Write when you want a record, and include your family member’s full name.
• No posted reply time.SDRC doesn’t say how fast coordinators answer. If a request sits for a week, send a follow-up email and call on the same day.
• Coordinator out?SDRC names an On-Call Coordinator only for people applying. If yours is away and it can’t wait, call the office that handles your case and find out who’s filling in.
• Go to the Program Manager.A Program Manager supervises each coordinator. To find the name, look at any IPP sheet you’ve signed: SDRC prints both names on it.
• Keep a record.List each call and email with the date and what was said. It helps if you need to take a problem to the Program Manager.
• Asking for a new coordinator.SDRC says to share your concerns with the Program Manager for that unit, and that you may ask for another coordinator. State law keeps a coordinator in place only when everyone agrees.

How do I get adaptive skills training through SDRC?

1. Ask your coordinator.In your email, ask that Aldera provide adaptive skills training, and add team@aldera.org. Here’s a ready-made email. Say which daily skills are hardest.
2. The Program Manager reviews it.Your coordinator takes the request to their Program Manager, who checks it against SDRC’s service rules.
3. Sign the amendment.Once it’s approved, you sign an IPP amendment that lists the service. SDRC then sends the request to pay for it, and it starts on the date you agreed to.
4. We come to you.With SDRC’s approval, we visit your home, meet your family member and set goals together. The first visits show how many hours fit.

SDRC says planning meetings can happen whenever needs change, at home, at SDRC or somewhere else that works. By state law, it has to meet within 30 days of your request, and you’ll get the plan within 30 days of the meeting.

How do I get SDRC reports for IHSS or SSI?

• Ask your coordinator.Request the reports in writing from your coordinator, or contact SDRC’s main office. Name the reports you need and where to send them.
• Sending them to IHSS?Sign a release that names IHSS or Social Security. An SDRC evaluation can back up a request for protective supervision, and it helps when you ask for the full IHSS hours your child needs.

How do I get school support in San Diego and Imperial counties?

1. Make the request in writing.Send the school a dated letter or email asking for a special education assessment. Save a copy.
2. Wait up to 15 days for a plan.That’s how long the district has to send an assessment plan, not counting breaks over 5 school days.
3. 60 days after you sign.From your signed plan, the district has 60 days to test and hold the first IEP meeting.
4. Give SDRC 2 weeks’ notice.Tell your coordinator about the IEP meeting at least 2 weeks ahead, and bring SDRC’s reports.
5. Turning 3?A transition plan is made 90 days before the third birthday. In San Diego Unified, SDRC clients nearing 3 fill out the district’s online referral.

Special education contacts in San Diego and Imperial counties

• San Diego UnifiedSpecial Education Division: (619) 725-7700. For preschool, ages 2 years 9 months to 5, a parent fills out the district’s online referral, in English, Spanish, Somali or Vietnamese. Questions: ECSE@sandi.net.
• Sweetwater Union HighFor grades 7 to 12, call (619) 796-7500 or use the Special Services Help Center form online. The district says it replies within 24 to 48 hours.
• Chula Vista ElementaryAsk through your principal, or email cvesd.pupilservices@cvesd.org. Special Education: (619) 425-9600, ext. 181700.
• Poway UnifiedStart with your child’s teacher and the school’s Intervention Assistance Team, though you can ask in writing at any time. Special Education: (858) 521-2800, ext. 2216. Preschool: PreKPTT@powayusd.com.
• Oceanside UnifiedSpecial Education: (760) 966-7878. For a preschooler, call the Preschool Assessment Team at (760) 966-7804.
• Cajon Valley UnionSpecial Education: (619) 588-3053 or specialeducation@cajonvalley.net. For preschool, call Sevick School at (619) 588-3146.
• Imperial CountyThe county’s 17 districts share the Imperial County SELPA in El Centro, at (760) 312-6419. It takes screening requests for children 3 to 5.

Every district follows the same state timelines. For other San Diego County districts, the county office of education runs four of the six SELPAs, at (858) 292-3500.

Where can San Diego and Imperial families get support?

• Exceptional Family Resource Center.SDRC’s family resource center, tied to San Diego State. It helps families of people with any disability, from birth through adulthood, for free, and holds drop-in hours for questions about SDRC and IEPs. Call (619) 594-7416 or email efrc@sdsu.edu.
• In Imperial County.SDRC’s resource list includes Autism Support of Imperial and Best Step Forward of Imperial. See SDRC’s list.
• For self-advocates.San Diego People First supports adults with developmental disabilities in San Diego and the Imperial Valley. Call (619) 688-3323.