Social Recreation Services Through Regional Centers
Social Recreation Services Through Regional Centers
This webinar was recorded on 5/5/2026 as part of a monthly series hosted by the Advocacy and Community Engagement (ACE) Team. The ongoing series explores a wide range of topics, from tools to support school-aged children with disabilities to resources that help adults navigate employment and public benefits. Each session is guided by direct feedback from community partners, ensuring the webinars address the issues they consider most important. This series will be hosted through 2026. See our upcoming events and register here.
Disclaimer: The following presentation is meant for education only and does not constitute legal advice nor counsel. Your situation may be unique and require careful attention.
Keep in mind that the information in these slides could become out of date, as the laws and local practices relating to these matters are constantly developing.
Watch the Event
Watch this event in Spanish
About the webinar:
Social Recreation Services Through Regional Centers
This training recording will help you understand how social recreation services through the Regional Center can support you or your loved one with developmental disabilities. Social recreation includes fun, community-based activities like camping, sports, art classes, and more. These activities help build friendships, improve social skills, and support inclusion in the community. Under the Lanterman Act, Regional Centers can now pay for these services if they are needed and no other options are available.
What you’ll learn in this video:
- What social recreation services are and why they matter;
- Who qualifies and how to request these services;
- Some of the activities that may be covered like camps, classes, or clubs;
- How these services help people stay active, connected, and included;
- How to talk to your service coordinator about adding social recreation to your IPP; and
- Where to find resources and support for getting started.
Resources:
Presentation
Social Recreation Services Through Regional Centers (.pdf)
California Legislative Information
California Department of Developmental Services
- Regional Center Directives
- Standardized Purchase Of Service Policy For Social Recreation, Camping And Non-medical Therapies
Speakers:
Rachelly Escobar is an attorney with the Fair Hearing Project at Disability Rights California (DRC). She provides direct legal services to Spanish speaking regional center consumers and their families and works to empower individuals to understand and advocate for their rights. Rachelly has five years of legal practice experience and is a graduate of Southwestern Law School in Los Angeles.
Laura Coto-Ortega works at Disability Rights California (DRC) as a Senior Advocate with the Advocacy and Community Engagement (ACE) team. She has focused her work on areas related of regional center, health, and civil rights matters. She has been working for DRC for 9 years and is passionate in advocating for people with disabilities and providing them with tools to advocate for themselves.
