Lanterman Act is Key Resource for Families of the Developmentally Disabled

The Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Services Act (Lanterman Act) is the part of California law that defines the rights and responsibilities of persons with developmental disabilities. It also creates the agencies, including regional centers, responsible for planning and coordinating services and supports for persons with developmental disabilities and their families.

The central role of the Lanterman Act in the care of the developmentally disabled in California makes it a very important resource for caretakers and guardians, especially when it comes to advocating for residents subject to relocation. It's certainly well worth reading through in its entirety.
For example, some specific protections provided in the Lanterman Act include:

• Relocation must have been previously agreed in the resident’s IPP.
• The developmentally disabled person must receive the same level of medical and dental care as they received in the developmental center.
• The developmentally disabled person has the right to return to the developmental center for services.
• Postmortem rights include a mandatory autopsy.

Because of concerns about how the Lanterman Act is used or applied by the regional centers with respect to residents of developmental centers and the transitioning of those people to regional centers, the PHA recently began holding informal discussions on provisions of the Lanterman Act for interested family members. The first was held on February 1 and the next is planned for the evening of March 1, 2010. For details and directions for joining the conference call, email us at info@parenthospitalassociation.org.