Inland Regional Center (IRC) continues to adapt and evolve to meet the growing needs of our community. As of March 2024, IRC was providing services to over 51,430 clients, an increase that places considerable demands on our team. The Department of Developmental Services (DDS) notified us in July 2024 that we did not meet the required caseload ratios for certain categories, including consumers enrolled in the Home and Community-Based Services Waiver, consumers under six years of age, movers within the last 12 months, and consumers with complex needs. These caseload ratios are mandated by the Welfare and Institutions Code (WIC) Section 4640.6(c) and our Regional Center Contract.

Despite our best efforts, the rapid increase in our client population means that maintaining these ratios remains a challenge. Our team has been working tirelessly to recruit and retain skilled staff, with 355 new Consumer Services Coordinators (CSCs) onboarded since June 2023. However, we also experienced turnover, necessitating the continuous posting and filling of positions to keep up with the demand.

To further support our staff and ensure the quality of services, IRC has implemented several initiatives:

1. Enhanced Training and Development: We created the Division Specialist position to replace the previous New Staff Mentor Program. Division Specialists are tasked with developing, coordinating, and facilitating division-specific training, as well as supporting broader staff development and community training initiatives.
2. Bilingual Staff Incentives: Recognizing the diverse linguistic needs of our community, IRC continues to incentivize bilingual staff with a monthly stipend for competency in low-frequency languages such as American Sign Language (ASL), Spanish, Arabic, Mandarin/Chinese, Tagalog, and Vietnamese.
3. Pay Scale Adjustments: To promote stability and longevity, IRC’s Executive Management Team has reviewed and updated pay scales, resulting in salary increases and a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA).
4. Community Engagement: On July 29, 2024, IRC extended an invitation to clients, families, staff, and community members to share their insights on efforts to bring caseloads into compliance. Feedback was solicited through a public meeting held on August 12, 2024, as well as via email submissions. While no public input was provided during the Zoom meeting, the event was attended by representatives from DDS, 27 parents, clients, community members, the IRC Board of Trustees, and the Executive Management Team.
5. Action Plan for Improvement: The emailed feedback highlighted the need for enhanced use of technology, improved client self-service options, team specialization, and ongoing professional development. IRC is committed to addressing these themes through targeted actions, including organizing regular town hall meetings, continuing to post open positions, providing robust onboarding support for new staff, and increasing public awareness around specialized programs like the Self-Determination Program and Coordinated Family Support Services.

IRC remains dedicated to ensuring that every client receives the highest quality of care and support. We will continue to work closely with our community and staff to address challenges, implement improvements, and maintain transparency in our efforts.

Stay Connected: We encourage everyone to stay informed and engaged with our ongoing efforts by following our updates on inlandrc.org, social media, and newsletter and participating in our community events and discussions.

To sign up for our newsletter, please visit Sign Up | Inland Regional Center (inlandrc.org)

To view the Caseload Letter from DDS to IRC, please visit IRC 2024 Caseload Ratio Survey Acknowledgment FINAL 7.22.24 (inlandrc.org)

To view the Caseload Letter from IRC to DDS in response, please visit www.inlandrc.org/accountability or use the direct links below:

IRC Caseload Ratio Plan of Action Letter
September 2024 – English | Español | Vietnamese | Arabic | Tagalog | Chinese

For more information or to provide feedback, please contact us at [email protected]. Your input is invaluable as we strive to meet the needs of our growing community.

Posted by:

Community Engagement

Inland Regional Center's Community Engagement Unit can be reached at [email protected]