The Regional Center Individual Program Plan or, “IPP.”

December 20, 2015 - 4 minutes read

Definition of an IPP.

An IPP is a “statement of goals, based on needs, preferences, and life choices of the individual with developmental disabilities, and a statement of specific, time-limited objectives for implementing the person’s goals and addressing his or her needs.” {Welfare & Institutions Code, § 4646.5(a)(1)&(2).}

IPP Development.

The IPP is developed in the context of a conference or planning meeting to discuss goals and objectives, and services to meet those objectives, attended by the consumer or her representatives, service agency representatives, and other appropriate participants. {Welfare & Institutions Code, §§ 4646, 4648.}  The Act requires not only the goals, but also the supports and services needed to implement the IPP, to be decided through a collaborative process that results in the creation of the consumer’s IPP. (§4646.)

Once the service agency (i.e., the regional center) and the planning team have developed the IPP, the service agency is then required to secure the services and supports necessary to satisfy the consumer’s needs as determined by the IPP team. {§4648.} This is the implementation phase of the IPP process.  With the exception of a very narrow range of programs and consumers under the Family Cost Participation Program, regional center services are provided without cost. {§ 4783.}

Determining the Services and Supports Needed to Implement the IPP.

Once a consumer’s goals and objectives have been determined by the IPP team, the “regional center and the consumer, or where appropriate, his or her parents,” pursuant to Welfare & Institutions Code §4648(a)(6), consider the following five factors when selecting a provider of consumer services and supports.

“(A) A provider’s ability to deliver quality services or supports which can accomplish all or part of the consumer’s individual program plan.

“(B) A provider’s success in achieving the objectives set forth in the individual program plan.

“(C) Where appropriate, the existence of licensing, accreditation, or professional certification.

“(D) The cost of providing services or supports of comparable quality by different providers, if available, shall be reviewed. . .

“(E) The consumer’s or, where appropriate, the parents, legal guardian, or conservator of a consumer’s choice of providers.” {Welfare & Institutions Code § 4648(a)(6)(A)-(E).}

 

The Initial and Subsequent IPPs.

Once an individual’s eligibility for services has been established, an IPP must be developed within 60 days. Thereafter, an IPP is developed “no less often than once every three years.” {Welfare & Institutions Code, §§ 4646(c); 4646.5(b).}  But once the IPP is completed, it is the parties at the IPP planning meeting that determine a periodic review and reevaluation schedule to “ascertain that planned services have been provided, that objectives have been fulfilled within the times specified, and that consumers and families are satisfied with the individual program plan and its implementation.” {Welfare & Institutions Code, § 4646.5(a)(7).}

Determining the Case Manager to Oversee IPP Implementation.

Not only is the frequency of IPP meetings something that is determined by the IPP team, but also whether the service coordinator, i.e., the regional center counselor will continue to be “responsible for implementing, overseeing, and monitoring” the individual program plan.”  A service coordinator is assigned by the regional center, with “agreement by all parties.” who is  {Welfare & Institutions Code, § 4647(b).}

 

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