Existing law, the Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Services Act, requires the State Department of Developmental Services to contract with regional centers for the provision of community services and supports for persons with developmental disabilities and their families. Existing law finds and declares that direct service professionals are critical to the provision of services and supports to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. Existing law requires the department to develop or utilize existing curriculum to implement enhanced direct service professional training that promotes services that are person centered and culturally and linguistically sensitive, and that improve outcomes for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
This bill would change the title of direct service professionals to instead be direct support professionals, and would define that latter term as an individual who receives compensation to provide direct support to children or adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, is employed by a service provider receiving regional center funding, and spends at least 50% of their working time completing direct support tasks, as specified. The bill would also make various technical, conforming changes.
This bill would incorporate additional changes to Section 4474.17 of the Welfare and Institutions Code proposed by AB 175 or SB 175 to be operative only if this bill and AB 175 or SB 175 are both enacted and this bill is enacted last.