About Lanterman
What's On This Page
To enable people with developmental disabilities to live purposeful lives as active members of their communities.
Adopted by the Lanterman board of directors in May 2009.
A world where every person is respected and embraced.
Adopted by the Lanterman board of directors in May 2009.
Community Ownership
We are a public benefit corporation owned by the clients, families, service providers, regional center staff and the community we share. Our expectations of ownership are commitment, contribution and stewardship.
Partnership
We work with a spirit of collaboration and active participation. Members of our community share equally the benefits, obligations and challenges of our shared vision.
Accountability
We are responsible stewards of our Center. We are accountable for decisions we make, resources we use, and actions we take. We are transparent, efficient, resourceful and results-oriented.
Leadership
We turn our values into action through service, learning, and innovation. We inspire the Center to reach its full potential and lead the way for others.
Advocacy
We are committed to breaking down barriers and bringing people with developmental disabilities into the life of the community.
Adopted by the Lanterman board of directors in May 2009.
- Treat people with courtesy and respect, listening attentively to their concerns – with understanding and without judgment.
- Be sensitive to and acknowledge cultural differences. If we do not speak your language, we make every effort to have someone present who can translate, and whenever possible, we try to provide written materials in your language.
- Encourage clients and families to make their own informed choices, and we respect and support their decisions.
- Come to meetings and appointments promptly, prepared with the necessary information.
- Explain the regional center service delivery system so that it makes sense and you feel able to access it.
- Share all the information we have about the various service options available, offering our recommendations in a constructive manner. We are honest about what we can do, and what we are not able to do. If we cannot help you, we try to find someone who can.
- Respond to requests as quickly as possible, and explain any delays. If we make a mistake or misunderstand your request, we take swift and appropriate action to correct the situation.
- Stay current in our field, maintaining the highest personal and professional standards.
- Solicit your ideas and suggestions on how the regional center and we can improve our services.
- Respond promptly and constructively to your concerns. If you feel we have not been responsive or have caused you to be dissatisfied with the regional center, we will forward your complaint to the appropriate authority to respond promptly and constructively to your concerns.
- Respect your right to privacy and hold in confidence all information obtained in the course of professional service.
Quality of Service Delivery
Services provided to people with developmental disabilities are based on best practices, meet people’s expectations, and are effective in helping people and their families achieve desired outcomes.
Advocacy
People with developmental disabilities and their families receive direct assistance and active support aimed at helping them gain access to the opportunities they need to live their lives the way they choose.
Coordination of Services
All services and supports necessary for an individual to achieve his or her desired outcomes are provided in a manner that is person-centered, integrated and coordinated.
Self-Advocacy
People with developmental disabilities and their families have access to training, information and support, as well as the opportunities necessary to develop the skills they need to advocate effectively for themselves.
Social Acceptance of People with Developmental Disabilities
People with developmental disabilities are accepted as unique individuals and are welcomed as equal participants in all aspects of community life and social interactions.
Service Availability, Access and Choice
People with developmental disabilities and their families have access to the range of services and supports necessary for them to achieve their desired outcomes and have a choice in the services and supports they use.
Personal/Professional Relationships
People providing services and supports are caring and respectful of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families, they understand their needs, and they act as true partners in helping people achieve their desired outcomes.
- All individuals shall be treated with dignity and respect.
- All individuals are unique and deserve recognition for their abilities and strengths.
- All individuals have needs, aspirations, desires, dreams, hopes and feelings, and shall be encouraged and supported to achieve independent, productive lives in their home communities, recognizing the interdependence of all people.
- All individuals have a spiritual dimension whose growth shall be encouraged, respecting individual, family and cultural traditions, and values.
- Individuals with developmental disabilities have the same rights, privileges, opportunities and responsibilities as other members of the community, and shall be encouraged and supported to exercise them.
- Families are the primary source of care, nurturing and support for children and adults with developmental disabilities. These relationships shall be respected, supported and promoted throughout the individual’s life by building partnerships among individuals with developmental disabilities, their families, the regional center and the community. Partnerships that are based on mutual respect, recognizing and valuing the roles, strengths, capabilities, experiences and contributions of all.
- Partnerships shall be promoted and supported among individuals with developmental disabilities, their families, service providers and the community, for the design, development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of services to achieve quality outcomes.
- Individuals with developmental disabilities and their families shall have a leadership role in making decisions in all areas of their lives, including residence, education, employment, health, recreation and relationships. The role of the professional is to provide information, expert advice, resources and direct assistance, enabling individuals with developmental disabilities and their families to make informed decisions about plans, services and supports in order to accomplish their desired outcomes.
- Services and supports shall be individualized and flexible over time, be built on strengths and needs, and respect the choices and preferences of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. These services and supports shall be provided in a culturally appropriate, accountable, accessible and cost-effective manner, in natural environments with natural relationships.
Historical Perspective
Since the early 1950’s, the developmental services system has come a long way in the state of California and the nation.
While individuals with developmental disabilities previously faced isolation, segregation and lack of individual freedoms, they now have many more opportunities available today.
Historical Timeline and Documentary
Established as a pilot regional center in 1966 at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, the Center was renamed in the 1970s after Assembly Member Frank D. Lanterman, who helped to pass landmark legislation for individuals with developmental disabilities in California.
The historical timeline called “Strengthening the Commitment… Reinvesting in the System: A Journey of Community Partnership – 50th Anniversary Edition of the History of the Regional Centers in California” and a documentary on the development of regional centers entitled “We’re Here to Speak for Justice,” chart the course of the developmental services system through the last 60 or so years. A sequel to “We’re Here to Speak for Justice” was released in 2006 called “How Far We’ve Come.” The film explores the regional centers’ many accomplishments and their impact on the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.
We invite you to use these tools to learn more about how legislation has evolved in the United States and in California, and track the development of the service system as we know it.
The journey, propelled by parent-professional partnerships, is a fascinating one and leaves us thinking towards the future and the exciting possibilities it holds for our community.
And on the occasison of our 50th anniversary we put together a video featuring Lanterman clients, families, services providers and staff celebrating the 50th anniversary of Frank D. Lanterman Regional Center that was edited by Exceptional Minds with music by The Miracle Project.
Who We Are
Frank D. Lanterman Regional Center is a private, non-profit corporation that operates under contract with California’s Department of Developmental Services. The Center serves over 9,000 children and adults with developmental disabilities, who have or are at risk for a developmental delay or disability, and who are at high-risk of parenting an infant with a disability.
A developmental disability is defined by state law as:
- A disability that begins before the person’s 18th birthday,
- Continues or can be expected to continue indefinitely,
- Presents a significant disability in three or more functional life areas,
- And must be due to one of the following conditions:
- Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)
- Cerebral palsy
- Epilepsy
- Intellectual disability
- Disabling conditions closely related to mental retardation or requiring similar treatment.
Our Service Area
Lanterman is one of 21 regional centers in the state of California, which together serve over 275,000 individuals with, or at risk for, developmental disabilities and their families. Lanterman serves residents in the following geographic areas:
- Hollywood-Wilshire
- Central Los Angeles
- Pasadena
- Glendale
- Burbank
- La Cañada-Flintridge
- La Crescenta
What We Do
Lanterman offers lifelong services and supports for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.
The Center works together as partners with our:
- Clients,
- Families,
- Service providers,
- Local communities, and
- Government
to provide quality services and supports that address individuals’ unique strengths and needs and enable them to live independent, productive and satisfying lives as active members of their communities.
Services We Provide
Lanterman provides the following services:
- Assessment and diagnosis
- Service coordination linking people with services
- Lifelong individualized planning
- Assistance in finding and using community resources
- Purchase of services identified in the individual plan
- Advocacy for the protection of legal, civil and service rights
- Early intervention services for at-risk infants and their families
- Information and referral
- Family support
- Training and educational opportunities for individuals and families
- Community outreach, awareness and education about developmental disabilities
- Quality assurance and enhancement activities
- Resource development
- Client benefit coordination
- Koch-Young Resource Center