California Department Of Developmental Services Has Not Adequately Reduced Barriers To Some Families’ Use Of In-Home Respite Services

An assessment by the California State Auditor (CSA) found that the California Department of Developmental Services (DDS) has not adequately reduced barriers to some families’ use of authorized in-home respite services. Although DDS ensures that regional centers, which administer respite services, obtain feedback from stakeholders to identify disparities in families’ use of regional center services, the audit found that DDS has not made sure regional centers adequately act on that feedback to reduce those disparities. Additionally, the audit found DDS has not done enough to ensure that regional centers allow families to receive the full number of authorized respite . . .