What is the Regional Center?

The Eastern Los Angeles Regional Center (ELARC) is a private, non-profit organization under contract to the California Department of Developmental Services (DDS) which coordinates and provides community based services to people with developmental disabilities in California regardless of citizenship and legal status. ELARC is one of 21 Regional Centers in the state and one of seven Regional Centers in Los Angeles County. The ELARC service area is comprised of communities located in the eastern and northeastern portions of Los Angeles County.  In total, ELARC serves over 10,000 individuals and has over 250 employees at two sites in Eastern Los Angeles County. 

Developmental Disabilities include intellectual disability (formerly known as mental retardation,) cerebral palsy, epilepsy, autism and other disabilities closely related to intellectual disability and requiring similar treatment as person with intellectual disability.  The consumer (client) of ELARC services reflects the community.  It is a diverse group with a range of functional needs.  The consumer lives in areas spread across the region in any potential living arrangement.

ELARC is a case management agency that contracts with service providers (vendors) to provide direct services to individuals in the community.  ELARC assists individuals in obtaining services that are identified in an Individual Program Plan (IPP.)  The majority of services are not provided at the Regional Center site.  We are not a direct service provider, we contract with (or vendor) direct service providers.  Case management (what we call service coordination) includes but may not be limited to coordination of community living services (including options such as independent living or living in a licensed care facility,) day program services (including options such as supported employment or community based program,) advocacy and early intervention services for children 0-3.   Additionally, community education, parent training, evaluation and diagnosis, information and referral, quality assurance, and resource development are examples of internal agency services to support case management.

Our work is mandated by the Lanterman Act (Welfare and Institutions Code), a law unique to California.