Every Journey Needs a Starting Point
We know you want answers. So here are some useful links to get you on the right path to learning about some of the most important state benefits for disabled children. Use the links provided here to begin to understand and access a variety of state benefits unique to California.
The California Medical Assistance Program (known as Medi-Cal or MediCal) is California's Medicaid program serving low-income individuals, including families, seniors, persons with disabilities, children in foster care, pregnant women, and childless adults with incomes below 138% of federal poverty level.
Regional centers are nonprofit private corporations that contract with the DDS to provide or coordinate services and supports for individuals with developmental disabilities. California has 21 regional centers with more than 40 offices located throughout the state that serve individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. Here's a directory of all regional centers in CA. For children under 36 months, here's a link to the Early Start homepage.
The types of services that may be authorized through IHSS are housecleaning, meal preparation, laundry, grocery shopping, personal care services (such as bowel and bladder care, bathing, grooming and paramedical services), accompaniment to medical appointments, and protective supervision.
California Children's Services (CCS) is a state program for children with certain diseases or health problems. Through this program, children up to 21 years old can get the health care and services they need. CCS will connect you with doctors and trained experts who know how to care for your child with special needs.
DHCS is the backbone of California’s health care safety net, helping millions of low-income and disabled Californians each and every day. The mission of DHCS is to provide Californians with access to affordable, integrated, high-quality health care, including medical, dental, mental health, substance use treatment services and long-term care.
