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(6.17) Can the regional center pay for camp and social recreation services? What about educational services and non-medical therapies?

(6.17) Can the regional center pay for camp and social recreation services? What about educational services and non-medical therapies?

Yes. As of July 2021, regional centers can pay for:

  1. Camping services and associated travel expenses.
  2. Social recreation activities, except those activities vendored as community-based day programs.
  3. Educational services for children age 3-17 years old.
  4. Nonmedical therapies, including (but not limited to) specialized recreation, art, dance, and music.

These services were “suspended” in 2009, meaning regional centers could not pay for them. California had a financial emergency and regional centers had to stop paying for these services.

But the suspension has been lifted after a change in the law. Regional centers can again pay for camp, social recreation services, educational services, and nonmedical therapies.

Camping services can include day camps, overnight camps, and travel. Social recreation services examples are swimming and horseback riding. Educational services are for children 3 to 17 years old. Nonmedical therapies can include specialized recreation, art, dance, and music. To ask the regional center to fund any of these services, ask for an IPP meeting to talk about your needs and goals.