Alternative Services

IMPORTANT UPDATE AS OF 12/1/2022: ALTERNATIVE SERVICES ENDING 12/31/2022  

Section 4690.7 was added to the Lanterman Act (WIC,) authorizing a provider of nonresidential services, as defined in California Code of Regulations, Title 17, Section 54302(a)(49), to utilize Alternative Nonresidential Services, as authorized in the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) Directive 01-083120 (August 31, 2020), if needed, to meet a consumer’s service needs, until December 31, 2022.

Read the 12/1/2022 Directive from DDS regarding the conclusion of Alternative Non Residential Services 

Service providers and regional centers must engage consumers to present options for services upon the conclusion of Alternative Services. This may include consideration of certain traditional services delivered remotely and/or tailored day services as discussed in the Department’s November 23, 2022 and December 1, 2022 correspondence, respectively. 

Service Providers may contact their assigned Community Services Liaison for guidance on this transition.

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On September 1, 2020, the Alternative Services Delivery Model went into effect.  Alternative Services are those that meet the individual needs of consumers, sustain the state’s developmental services provider network, and continue receipt of federal reimbursement for services provided to consumers during the COVID-19 State of Emergency. 

DDS Documents:

• View the 12/02/2020 DDS Guidance Regarding Monthly Rates and Applicable Services for Alternative Nonresidential Services
• View the  8/31/2020 DDS Directive Regarding Alternative Services
• View the Alternative Services Certification Form
• View the 10/28/2020 DDS Correspondence regarding monthly rate effective December 1

ELARC Documents:

• View the 9/14/2020 Billing Correspondence
• View the ELARC Engagement Log
• View the ELARC ISP Guidance

Posted March 2021 : Link to the DDS reporting surveys here.  

Webinars by Disability Thrive Initiative: Funded by the CA Department of Developmental Services (DDS) and the San Diego Regional Center to provide support and resources to the entire IDD community (individuals with IDD, their caregivers, and the organizations and staff who provide their support services through your regional centers). Free Webinars!  Read more about Disability Thrive Initiative here.  

Posted 1/05/2021: Guidance Regarding Reporting Requirements for Alternative Nonresidential Services. As follow up to the Department of Developmental Services’ August 31, 2020 Directive regarding Alternative Nonresidential Services (Alternative Services) during the COVID-19 State of Emergency, the purpose of this correspondence is to provide additional guidance on the provider reporting requirements noted in the Directive. By January 15, 2021, providers must submit a report for each vendorization delivering Alternative Services for the month of December 2020 using SurveyMonkey. The survey may be accessed here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/AlternativeServicesSurveyDecember2020. You can also view the survey here for printing.

Posted 12/23/2020:  Alternative Services Rate Letters Distributed. ELARC has sent a letter via email to those providers who submitted Alternative Services certification documents, as well as those providers who provided certifications to the Regional Centers with whom they are vendored and who provided certification and provided services to individuals served by ELARC.   In some cases, providers who are providing traditional services may have received a letter. 

If your organization has not received an email from ELARC with the rate letter, please contact your Community Services Liaison. All questions regarding the Alternative Services rate and/or regarding applicable service codes should be directed to your Community Services Liaison. Please note Liaison assignments have changed, to confirm whom to contact please call the Community Services Office Assistant at (626) 299-4772 or email eperez@elarc.org.

Please note that the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) worked with Burns and Associates who calculated Nonresidential Alternative Services monthly rates for nonresidential services as defined by Title 17 section 54302(a)(49), further defined by DDS.  DDS included your organization in the rate calculation process. The provision of a rate does not commit you to providing Nonresidential Alternative Services. 

Read the most updated DDS Directive regarding Alternative Services on the DDS Coronavirus Directives Page.

Posted 12/03/2020: The Department of Developmental Services (DDS) issued guidance on monthly rates and applicable services for Alternative Nonresidential Services. This is follow-up to the DDS Directives of August 31, 2020 and October 28, 2020 regarding Alternative Nonresidential Services (Alternative Services) during the COVID-19 State of Emergency. Their guidance includes the updated effective date for use of monthly unit rates, and applicable services for the provision of Alternative Services. View the full directive, as well as additional information for service providers:

• Enclosure A (word format)- ,Suggested Template for Submitting Questions to the Regional Center
• Enclosure B- Service Codes with Calculated Monthly Rates for Alternative Services

Posted 12/03/2020: San Diego Regional Center (SDRC) and the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) have identified a need to create a Statewide Technical Assistance and Training Agent to coordinate a variety of supports to service providers to implement the Alternative Nonresidential Services model.  The Request for Proposals has concluded; Easterseals Southern California and California Disability Services Association were selected.  Please view the announcement from SDRC and DDS.

Alternative Services Reporting Update: First Report Due November 25 (11/10/2020) As follow up to the Department of Developmental Services’ (DDS) August 31, 2020 Directive regarding Alternative Services during the COVID-19 State of Emergency, DDS has released correspondence which provides additional guidance on the provider reporting requirements noted in the Directive.  View the DDS correspondence here.     View a PDF of the survey that was enclosed with the correspondence-please note this is not the reporting form and that reports will only be accepted by DDS via the link below. 

• Reporting on September and October:  By November 25, 2020, providers must submit a report for each vendorization delivering Alternative Services for the initial period of September 1, 2020 through October 31, 2020, using SurveyMonkey. The survey may be accessed at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/AlternativeNonresidentialServicesSurvey    This survey link will also be posted on the ELARC e-billing page and Alternative Services Page.  
• Reporting on November: By December 5, 2020, providers must submit a report for each vendorization delivering Alternative Services for the month of November 2020 using SurveyMonkey. The survey may be accessed at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/OngoingAlternativeServicesSurvey This survey link will also be posted on the ELARC e-billing page and Alternative Services Page.
• Future Reporting : DDS has stated that additional guidance regarding subsequent reporting is forthcoming.  ELARC will keep our community posted on updates as they are received. 

ELARC Guidance on Alternative Services ISP:  (11/5/2020) The development of an Individual Service Plan (ISP) is required for the implementation of Alternative Services as outlined in the August 31, 2020 DDS Directive.  As ISPs are now coming in to ELARC, we are all learning together that more structure and guidance than what is outlined in the directive may be of support to our provider community.  As a result, ELARC has developed a guidance to assist providers in the development of the Alternative Services ISP.  View the guidance here  Visit ELARC's Person Centered Practices Page for resources and information about taking a person centered approach to planning. 

Monthly Rate Release Delayed: (10/28/2020)  The Department of Developmental Services (DDS) August 31, 2020 Directive regarding Alternative Nonresidential Services (Alternative Services) during the COVID-19 State of Emergency indicated that prior to November 1, 2020, providers would be notified of the monthly unit rates for Alternative Services and the monthly unit rates would be used for November 2020 and subsequent months. DDS has announced that, in the interest of an effectual implementation, use of the monthly unit rates for Alternative Services will instead become effective December 1, 2020. Further, DDS has announced that they will provide guidance on use of the monthly unit rates in a forthcoming correspondence. For November 2020, providers shall continue to follow the methodology and rules outlined in the August 31, 2020 Directive for September and October 2020.  Read the full DDS announcement.

DDS is hosting Four Symposiums on Innovative and Alternative Services in Action: Read more here  on the DDS website, just click on the "Alternative Services" tab  to view past sessions and to register for upcoming ones.  

Frequently Asked Questions for DDS Directive 01-083120: Alternative Nonresidential Services (Alternative Services)

View the DDS website Coronavirus Information and Resources Page for the most updated information on Alternative Services, including but not limited to information on previous DDS Townhall meetings, FAQs, and “Creative Corner” (a place for providers to share ideas).

View a flowchart that outlines decision making around Alternative Services

Check Back Often for more information

We will post more information as it becomes available.  DDS has shared that they will continue working with stakeholders on next steps, including but not limited to:

• Monthly reporting requirements
• Rates
• Identifying additional accountability and outcome measures
• Developing, posting and updating Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on its website
• Rolling out the Family Member and Self-Advocate Engagement Guide
• Technical Assistance and Training
• Ongoing evaluation of Alternative Services

Consumers and Families: Contact your Service Coordinator for more information about Alternative Services.

Providers: Contact your Community Services Specialist for more information