Service Providers
How to Become a Provider
Regional center service providers offer a variety of services for consumers and families, including but not limited to residential care, Independent and Supported Living Services (ILS & SLS), day care and activity programs, respite care, behavior management services, vocational training, infant development programs, and more.
If you are interested in becoming a regional center service provider, we recommend that you review the Frequently Asked Questions below.
The Department of Developmental Services (DDS) web site is also a great place to learn more information about the vendorization process, rules, and regulations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. If I meet all of the requirements, must a regional center vendor me?
A. A regional center must vendor an applicant who meets all the requirements for the service to be provided if the service is to be provided in that regional center’s catchment area. While a program cannot be denied vendorization due to a perceived lack of need for the service by the vendoring regional center, vendorization in no way obligates that regional center to purchase service from that vendor. (Title 17, Section 54320)
Q. What documentation do I need to submit to the regional center when requesting vendorization?
A. In addition to a Vendor Application (Form DS 1890), applicants must submit the documentation specified in Title 17, Section 54310. Contact your local regional center for a vendorization package.
Q. What is vendorization and what is its purpose?
A. Vendorization is the process for identification, selection, and utilization of service providers based on the qualifications and other requirements necessary in order to provide the services. The vendorization process allows regional centers to verify, prior to the provision of services to consumers, that an applicant meets all of the requirements and standards specified in regulations. Applicants who meet the specified requirements and standards are assigned a unique vendor identification number and service code.
Q. Are service providers vendored by DDS or regional centers?
A. DDS does not vendor service providers. Service providers are vendored by the regional center in whose catchment area the service is located, known as the vendoring regional center. Although vendors are prohibited from being vendored by more than one regional center, a vendored service provider may be utilized by non-vendoring regional centers, known as “user” or “utilizing” regional centers, as well as the vendoring regional center. The vendor identification number assigned by the vendoring regional center must be used by all regional centers purchasing the vendored service.
(Title 17, CCR, Sections 54326(a)(14) and 54340(a)).
Q. What are the different roles of the Department and regional centers in vendoring service providers?
A. The vendoring regional center is responsible for ensuring that the applicant meets licensing and Title 17 requirements for vendorization, determining the appropriate vendor category for the service to be provided, and approving or disapproving vendorization based upon their review of the documentation submitted by the applicant. Although not involved in the vendorization process, the Department does establish rates for community-based day programs, infant development program, independent living services, work activity program, supported employment, and respite agencies after completion of vendorization.
