(a) The Legislature places a high priority on opportunities for adults with developmental disabilities to choose and customize day services to meet their individualized needs; have opportunities to further the development and support of employment and volunteer activities; direct their services; pursue postsecondary education; establish and support paid internship program opportunities; and increase their ability to lead integrated and inclusive lives. To further these goals, a consumer may choose a tailored day service or vouchered community-based training service, in lieu of, or in conjunction with, any other regional center vendored day program, look-alike day program, supported employment program, or work activity program.

(b) (1) A tailored day service shall include an individualized service design, as determined through the individual program plan (IPP), and developed through a person-centered planning process that reflects and maximizes individual preferences and goals, and approved by the regional center. This service design may include, but may not be limited to, the following:

(A) Fewer days or hours than in the program’s approved day program, look-alike day program, supported employment program, or work activity program design.

(B) Flexibility in the duration, location, including by remote electronic communications, and intensity of services to meet the consumer’s individualized needs.

(C) Prioritize the development or support of competitive, integrated employment, volunteer activities, or pursuit of postsecondary education; establish and support paid internship program opportunities; maximize consumer direction of the service; and increase the consumer’s ability to lead an integrated and inclusive life.

(2) The type and amount of tailored day service shall be determined through the IPP process, pursuant to Section 4646. The IPP shall contain, but not be limited to, the following:

(A) A detailed description of the consumer’s individualized choices and needs and how these choices and needs will be met.

(B) The type and amount of services and staffing needed to meet the consumer’s individualized choices and needs, and unique health and safety and other needs.

(3) The staffing requirements set forth in Section 55756 of Title 17 of the California Code of Regulations and subdivision (r) of Section 4851 of this code shall not apply to a tailored day service.

(4) Commencing July 1, 2022, for vendored programs wishing to offer a tailored day service option, the hourly rate for the tailored day service option shall be calculated using a base rate, defined as twice the amount of the rate model or models for “Community-Based Day, Community Only, 1:2.” The calculation of the rate shall be as follows:

(A) Effective July 1, 2022, the hourly rate shall equal 80 percent of the base rate.

(B) The rate established in subparagraph (A) shall remain in effect pending the department’s review, in coordination with stakeholders, of implementation of this section, as amended by the act that added this paragraph. The review, to be completed by June 30, 2024, shall include development of recommendations that may include, but not be limited to, modifying the scope of the service or establishing a rate model specific to the service. The department shall provide an update to the Legislature on the status of the review no later than January 10, 2024.

(5) The hold harmless policy defined in subdivision (d) of Section 4519.10 shall apply for vendored programs offering a tailored day service as of June 30, 2022, with an hourly rate that exceeds the rate calculated in paragraph (4).

(6) Tailored day services shall not be delivered on the same day as any other regional center vendored day program, look-alike day program, supported employment program, or work activity program unless all of the following apply:

(A) A consumer has a plan identified in their individual program plan for transitioning from a work activity program to competitive integrated employment, paid internship, or postsecondary education.

(B) The transition plan is developed through a person-centered planning process that reflects and maximizes individual preferences and goals.

(C) The duration of the delivery of tailored day services on the same day or days as a work activity program or supported employment services is no longer than six months.

(7) The total monthly hours of tailored day services shall not exceed the number of days in the month tailored day services are authorized, multiplied by four.

(8) The regional center shall ensure that the vendor is capable of complying with, and will comply with, the consumer’s IPP, individual choice, and health and safety needs.

(9) Effective July 1, 2011, and prior to the time of development, review, or modification of a consumer’s IPP, regional centers shall provide information about tailored day service to eligible adult consumers. A consumer may request information about tailored day services from the regional center at any time and may request an IPP meeting to secure those services.

(c) (1) A vouchered community-based training service is defined as a consumer-directed service that assists the consumer in the development of skills required for competitive integrated employment, the paid internship program, participation in volunteer activities, or any combination of these, and the assistance necessary for the consumer to secure employment, a paid internship, or volunteer positions or pursue secondary education.

(2) Implementation of vouchered community-based training service is contingent upon the approval of the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

(3) Vouchered community-based training service shall be provided in natural environments in the community, separate from the consumer’s residence.

(4) A consumer, parent, or conservator vendored as a vouchered community-based training service shall utilize the services of a financial management services (FMS) entity. The regional center shall provide information about available financial management services and shall assist the consumer in selecting a FMS vendor to act as coemployer.

(5) A parent or conservator shall not be the direct support worker employed by the vouchered community-based training service vendor.

(6) If the direct support worker is required to transport the consumer, the vouchered community-based training service vendor shall verify that the direct support worker can transport the consumer safely and has a valid California driver’s license and proof of insurance.

(7) The rate for vouchered community-based training service shall be the most recent rate posted on the department’s public internet website. The rate includes employer-related taxes and all transportation needed to implement the service, except as described in paragraph (8). The rate does not include the cost of the FMS.

(8) A consumer vendored as a vouchered community-based training service shall also be eligible for a regional center-funded bus pass, if appropriate and needed.

(9) Vouchered community-based training service shall be limited to a maximum of 150 hours per quarter. The services to be provided and the service hours shall be documented in the consumer’s IPP.

(10) A direct support worker of vouchered community-based training service shall be an adult who possesses the skill, training, and experience necessary to provide services in accordance with the IPP.

(11) Effective July 1, 2011, and prior to the time of development, review, or modification of a consumer’s IPP, regional centers shall provide information about vouchered community-based training service to eligible adult consumers.

(12) The type and amount of vouchered community-based training service shall be determined through the IPP process pursuant to Section 4646. The IPP shall contain, but not be limited to, the following:

(A) A detailed description of the consumer’s individualized choices and needs and how these choices and needs will be met.

(B) The type and amount of services and staffing needed to meet the consumer’s individualized choices and unique health and safety and other needs.

(d) The department may adopt emergency regulations for tailored day service or vouchered community-based training service. The adoption, amendment, repeal, or readoption of a regulation authorized by this subdivision is deemed to be necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health and safety, or general welfare, for purposes of Sections 11346.1 and 11349.6 of the Government Code, and the department is hereby exempted from the requirement that it describe specific facts showing the need for immediate action. A certificate of compliance for these implementing regulations shall be filed within 24 months following the adoption of the first emergency regulations filed pursuant to this subdivision.

(Amended by Stats. 2022, Ch. 49, Sec. 25. (SB 188) Effective June 30, 2022.)