Developmental services: regional centers: performance contracts.

Under the Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Services Act, the State Department of Developmental Services is required to contract with regional centers to provide services and supports to individuals with developmental disabilities. Existing law requires the state to enter into 5-year contracts with the regional centers, subject to the annual appropriation of funds by the Legislature, and requires that the contracts include annual performance objectives, as specified. This bill would, in this regard, require the annual performance objectives, among other things, to be designed to develop culturally and linguistically appropriate services and supports, and require the department to establish performance contract guidelines and measures relating to issues of cultural and linguistic competency. This bill would require the department to, beginning July 1, 2014, specify in the performance contract any areas that require improvement by the regional center to reduce racial and ethnic disparities.