If your child has personal assistant services paid for by Regional Center, it is possible to be the parent provider for that and for your child's IHSS hours.

Can I be both my child's IHSS provider and personal assistant?

If your child is not 5 yet, you can still apply for IHSS. There is no age limit. Eligibility is based on how much care your child requires compared to a typically developing child of the same age.

Should I wait until after my child turns 5 to apply for IHSS?

Service dogs are trained to help a person with a disability complete essential tasks and/or respond to medical emergencies, increasing that individual’s independence and quality of life.

Could a service dog help my child?

The cost of training a service dog is $30,000-$45,000. Then, it costs $1,500- $2,000 per year for veterinary care, food, and equipment.

How much would it cost to get a service dog?

On average, it takes at least two years from time of acceptance to receiving the dog, and then families must do 80-100 hours of training.

How long does it take to get a service dog?

Health insurance doesn’t cover service dogs, but you can get assistance from Regional Center and California's Assistance Dog Special Allowance (ASDA).

Will insurance pay for a service dog for my child?

You’ll need a doctor’s note that explains the disability and why the individual’s life would be improved by a service dog. You may also need two letters of recommendation.

How do I get my child a service dog?

If your family is traveling with your child's service dog, here are some items to pack to make sure the road trip or airplane trip goes smoothly.

What should I pack for my child's service dog when traveling?

Fill out the Department of Transportation form, which is universal and required for anyone flying with a service dog.

How to I bring my child's service dog on an airplane?

You can push for a morning or afternoon handoff with the aide present and a supervising person like the teacher or an administrator

What if the school doesn't let me talk to my child's 1:1 aide?

Rather than calling an IEP meeting right away, you might start by talking to the teacher directly, or by talking to the team.

If my child isn’t getting their IEP accommodations, should I call an IEP meeting?

You should prioritize what you’d like your child’s teacher to communicate to you by deciding what you need to know and how frequently.

What if my child's teacher doesn't want to fill out a daily log?

Special Education Services and Individualized Education Programs

Learn about special education services, everything you need to know about IEPs, and how to advocate for the services and supports your child needs.

Education and IEPs

Insurance Options for Parents of Kids with Disabilities

Whether you’re using private insurance or public benefits like Medi-Cal or a combination of the two, get tips on how to fund the supports and services your child needs.

Insurance

What to Do When Your Child Has Received a New Diagnosis

Has your child received a new diagnosis? Are you concerned about a developmental delay? Check out these resources to help you navigate medical services, funding, and more.

New Diagnosis

Public Benefits - Government Programs for Children with Disabilities

Depending on your income, your child’s age and diagnosis, and other factors, there are a variety of government programs available to you.

Public Benefits

Mental Health

Learn how to help your child manage stress, anxiety, and other mental health challenges with these resources from therapists and other experts.

Financially Supporting Your Child With Disabilities into Adulthood

Check out our resources to help plan your child's transition into adulthood and set them up for success.

Future and Financial Planning

Family Life - Advice for Parenting Children with Disabilities

Parenting a child with disabilities comes with unique joys and challenges. Learn how to meet your family's diverse needs and how to talk about disability together.

Family Life

Self-Care for Parents Raising Children With Disabilities

Raising a child with disabilities can place a lot of demands on parents. Check in with your own mental and physical health needs through these resources.

Self-Care for Parents

There is a variety of post-high school options available for students with disabilities. Learn about these options and how to find the best one for your child.

My Transition Advocate

Learn how to set up a conservatorship for my child

Prepare my child for the transition to adulthood

The school has a duty to protect children with disabilities from bullying. Learn about how to hold the school responsible for responding and prevent further bullying.

Address my child's school refusal or avoidance

Find an education attorney

Support my child’s mental and emotional health

Address school bullying

The IHSS Career Pathways program provides additional training for parent providers. Learn about various incentives, resources to find classes, and instructions for reporting hours.

Apply for In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) paramedical services

Submit In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) sick hours as a parent provider

Apply for In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) protective supervision

Receive IHSS training in the Career Pathways program

Once your young adult leaves the school system, Regional Center will assume primary responsibility for services. You'll help your young adult prepare for that transition.

Update my child's Individualized Program Plan (IPP)

Wrap up the end of the school year

Help my young adult apply for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) when they turn 18

Transition from school district services to Regional Center

Check in with how your self-care is going and get guidance to make sure your needs are always met.

Optimize self-care for parents

If you have concerns about your child's development, you may want to pursue a medical diagnosis to open doors for receiving services.

Prepare to visit a developmental pediatrician

Prepare for a new provider visit

Build my child's care team

Prepare for doctor appointment

Obtain a diagnosis for my child

Regional Center

Regional Center Early Intervention (Ages 0–3)

Self-Determination Program

Medi-Cal

IHSS: In-Home Supportive Services

Other Public Funding Sources

IEP: Individualized Education Program

IEP Meeting Preparation

Preschool IEP

IEP Assessments

Strength-Based IEP Goals

Educational Accommodations, Modifications, and Curriculum

Educational Transitions

Learning At Home

Educational Placement

Educational Inclusion

Parenting

Camps and Travel

Supporting Therapies and Education at Home

Disability Culture and Advocacy

Private Insurance

Public Insurance Programs

Mental Health In Children with Disabilities

Therapies

Education-Based Therapies

Behavioral Intervention Therapies

Funding Sources For Therapies

AAC: Augmentative and Alternative Communication

Therapy at Home

504 Educational Plans

Medical

Therapies (Ages 0-3)

IEP-Related Services

After the IEP

How does private insurance work with public benefits like Medi-Cal, Regional Center, and California Children’s Services? Learn how to use all of the resources your child is eligible for.

Troubleshooting Common Issues with Public and Private Health Plans

Planning for their transition to adulthood is a vital piece to laying out what comes next. Learn about high school IEPs, ITPs, diplomas, the Department of Rehabilitation, and more.

12 Frequently Asked Questions about High School IEPs and the Transition to Adulthood

When you check in with your IEP team at the start of the year, some common concerns may come up. Get tips from Undivided's education advocate for resolving IEP issues.

Troubleshoot These 9 Common IEP Concerns

Many parents feel frustrated by IEP (individualized education plan) assessments, especially when standardized tests fail to capture the full picture for children with complex needs. Join Lucia Serio, LEP NCSP, owner of Bookworm Educational and Psychological Services, as she explores dynamic assessment—an interactive, strength-focused approach that highlights how children learn over time and their potential for growth.


Undivided Conversations: Dynamic Assessment

Hear tips on maximizing private insurance and Medi-Cal to cover your child’s needs while saving money on out-of-pocket costs. 


Undivided Conversations: How Public and Private Health Plans Work Together

Learn about Individualized Transition Plans, Regional Center & the Department of Rehabilitation, college pathways, and more when your teen is in high school.

High School IEPs and the Transition to Adulthood with Education Advocate Lisa Carey

Here are some red flags to watch for in the IEP meeting and how to handle them, so you can be confident that you’re doing everything you can for your child’s education.

14 Red Flags in the IEP – and What to Do about Them

Know what paperwork to file so that you can stay legally involved in your child’s schooling, finances, medical decisions, and other important aspects of their life.

Legal Tasks to Complete before Your Child Turns 18

Preparing your teen for life after high school involves the Regional Center, the Department of Rehabilitation, Social Security, and more.