Attention IRC Families – The Department of Developmental Services (DDS) is developing a new tool to help regional centers determine respite hours.

The Standardized Respite Tool aims to:

• Provide a simple, easy-to-use form that promotes consistency across California.
• Avoid significant changes to the respite hours individuals and families currently receive.
• Reduce differences in authorizations among families with similar needs across the state’s 21 regional centers.

DDS is inviting the public to share feedback on the draft Standardized Respite Tool. Your input is important and will help improve the tool before it is finalized.

When reviewing the draft, consider:

• Does the information collected by the tool help meet the respite needs of individuals served by regional centers and their families? If not, what changes would you suggest?
• Will the authorized hours generated by the tool meet those needs? If not, what adjustments do you recommend?
• Do you have suggestions for how the tool should be implemented?

The public feedback period is open through August 28, 2025. Use the online feedback forms linked below to submit your comments.

• Standardized Respite Tool Public Feedback : CA Department of Developmental Services

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Community Engagement

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