DSP Internship Program
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Service Provider Quick Links
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Opportunity to Grow Your Team
The Direct Support Professional (DSP) Internship Program is a statewide initiative all California service providers are encouraged to participate in. The program helps you hire vetted staff. It’s an opportunity to find and keep more DSPs.
The Internship Program screens and then pays your intern’s salary for three months while you train them to become valued team members in your program.
You choose how to move forward with the option to hire interns at any time during the process. If hired, your new employee can earn a $625 retention stipend for reaching 6-month and 12-month employment milestones. That’s an extra $1,250 of potential earnings to support quality staff!
Three Steps to Get Started
For Lanterman service providers who would like to know more about the program:
- Step 1: Visit the bit.ly/dsp-portal website to submit your program interest to DDS.
- Step 2: Once approved, All’s Well will contact you to identify your program needs and to help you with the participation agreement.
- Step 3: Welcome and train interns over a three-month period while they test-drive a career with you.
Print and E-mail Outreach
Take the Survey
- Reminder, if you were a DSP Intern, please take this Interns Feedback Survey, if you have not already done so.
- Reminder: If you have had an intern, please fill out this Service Provider Feedback Survey, if you have not already done so.
Service Provider Testimonials
“Over the past year, partnering with DDS for the DSP Internship Program has been a game-changer.”
— Chris Martin, UCP of Stanislaus County
“We couldn’t be happier with the program and recommend it to all. It’s been an incredible resource for our company’s growth.”
— Matt Baker, Shield of Dreams of Orange County
“In today’s challenging hiring environment, this initiative has proven to be a valuable resource in identifying and onboarding quality entry-level candidates.”
— A Better Life Together, Inc., based in San Diego
FAQ
Get Answers
How do I become a Lanterman service provider?
Service providers must be vendored by a regional center before they can provide and be reimbursed for services. Please see our “How to Become a Service Provider” page, which provides detailed instructions.
How can I make a change to the services I provide?
Any change to your existing vendorization needs to be reviewed and processed by Lanterman’s Community Services Unit.
- Organizational changes require submission of a letter in advance of the change consistent with the parameters and process found here.
- If you are interested in providing additional services, use the contact form to connect with one of Lanterman’s Resource Developers.
How can I renegotiate my rate?
Rate setting rules are established both by the statute (Lanterman Act) and regulation (Title 17) and dictate the type of rate needed for a particular service type. Providers with negotiated/median rates or DDS set rates can adjust rates based on minimum wage ordinances, Health and Safety Waiver needs or statutory/regulatory changes. Providers with Medi-Cal set rates, can see rate changes consistent with Medi-Cal rate changes. Usual and Customary Services providers can request rate adjustments consistent with changes to their general fee schedule. Please click here for a full description of different rate types and a description of rate changes.
What is FDLRC’s service provider insurance requirement?
All service providers, whether vendored by Lanterman or another regional center that serve Lanterman individuals, must carry liability insurance and name Frank D. Lanterman Regional Center as additional insured consistent with the following insurance memo. Additionally, updated insurance certificates must be submitted to Irma Padilla at ipadilla@lanterman.org.
What is a DS1891 and why do I need to resubmit?
The DS1891 Disclosure Statement is a Department of Developmental Services (DDS) form which must be completed at the time of vendorization and subsequently every 2 years moving forward unless requested by the regional center sooner. In short, this statutory requirement (WIC Code § 4748.12) does not allow individuals or organizations convicted of fraud, abuse or neglect to be vendored. Regional centers are required to monitor vendorization requirements biennially per California Code of Regulations Title 17 § 54332(b).
How can I get help with e-billing?
Every regional center service provider has an assignment Accounting Associate who can help with all payment and billing issues. You can find your assigned Accounting Associate here and by logging into your e-billing portal.
How can I let service coordinators know about my services?
At the time of vendorization, Community Services notifies all of service coordination staff of the newly vendored service provider. Capacity and availability can be communicated to Quality Assurance Manager Sonia Garibay at sgaribay@lanterman.org or Director of Community Services Pablo Ibañez at pibanez@lanterman.org. In turn, Community Services will notify service coordination of your services.
How do I find out who is the service coordinator assigned to the individual we are serving?
For school aged individuals and younger, please contact Associate Director of Client and Family Services Rose Chacana at rchacana@lanterman.org. For adults served by the regional center, please contact Associate Director of Client and Family Services, Megan Mendes, at mmendes@lanterman.org.