Writing Regional Center IPP goals
What is the IPP
Within the regional center system, the Individual Program Plan, or IPP, is the legal document that will drive all services and funding from the regional center that are requested in both the Traditional system and in the Self Determination Program.
Not all IPPs are created equal
While the RC service coordinators will make sure this document is done since it’s a required document, they will play downplay or may just not be fully aware of the importance of the content of the IPP. However, if you get into a situation where you are appealing a decision (usually because the regional center denied services) I can guarantee the RC will be leaning on the content of the IPP. If it is lacking that will be in their favor, just as it will be in your if it is expansive and robust.
The way the IPP drives access to services and funding is through the GOALS that are listed and how they are worded. In short, if there is a goal the RC client (often called a consumer by the RCs) will be supported to reach that goal in the way it is presented (within the scope of the RC’s responsibility).
So…be thinking about the life domains in which the RC consumer will possibly want services in the next 12-18 months. And make sure there are goals in each of these life domains.
IEP vs IPP
Many parents are familiar with special ed Individual Education Plan, or IEP, goals. These are what’s known as SMART goals – Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound. The IEP goals tend to be very precise and focus on a specific skill that will receive support to be built. This is because the school special ed team use them like an spear, targeting one skill at a time for precise support.
However, IPP goals really do their best work when they are not precise, but are broad and non-specific. While they will speak to one of several life domains, you want them broad, not super targeted like IEP goals. This is because you want the goal(s) to act like a net, capturing and being relevant to many subgoals and supporting the need for many different kinds of interventions and services.
One thing in common with the IEP though, is that wording is important and carries legal weight. I have had a denial decision for a service request reversed in informal appeal based on ONE well-chosen word in an IPP goal, I kid you not. So, it’s a situation of “it doesn’t really matter what you say in an IPP… until it does”.
How to create good goals
The goals you choose will of course depend on the client participant/consumer and what is important to them, but for everyone these goals should cover broad life domains. However, remember that the regional center funds services as the “payer of last resort” per the Lanterman Act and that generic services must be used first to meet these needs. This would include the school district for education, DOR for employment, health insurance for mental health, etc….. But this doesn’t mean you don’t have them as goals, you ABSOLUTELY SHOULD, they just may not drive much regional center funding depending on the specific consumer, needs and what the generic resource can provide.
Final thoughts
Navigating the regional center to get the most of what this agency has to offer is a tricky business and more often than not the service coordinator 1) is overwhelmed, 2) will likely be unable or willing help beyond the minimum, and 3) may not know the strategy considerations.
Given their role, you just cannot depend on your regional center service coordinator to be your consumer’s/participant’s personal advocate. That will fall on you. So if you are unsure how to navigate the regional center system effectively and strategically you may come away after years wondering why you bothered with the regional center. However, the opposite is also true, if you know what the regional center system has to offer, what the official and unofficial rules are, and how to effectively and strategically ask for what you want, you will be amazing at how much there is available to support your child or other loved one.