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Governor Gavin Newsom announced the release of the Master Plan for Developmental Services: A Community-Driven Vision, a comprehensive set of recommendations aimed at improving California’s service system for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The plan seeks to address barriers to service access and enhance support across various sectors, including employment, education, transportation, health, and behavioral services.
“California succeeds when ALL communities succeed,” Newsom said. “Our Administration has prioritized transparency, accountability, and equity in supports that make a difference in the lives of people with disabilities. We are proud to receive this Master Plan from the people who are most impacted by our services and look forward to getting to work.”
The plan was developed by a committee appointed in early 2024 by the California Health and Human Services Agency (CalHHS). The committee included individuals with disabilities, family members, advocates, service providers, direct support professionals, and representatives from California’s 21 regional centers. Over the past year, more than 45 public listening sessions were held to gather input from diverse communities, policy experts, and stakeholders.
The plan’s recommendations focus on ensuring fairness in service delivery by standardizing services statewide and removing language, cultural, and geographic barriers. It emphasizes personal choice and independence by providing tools and resources to support individual decision-making. To improve service access, the plan aims to simplify processes, reduce wait times, and enhance coordination across service systems. Strengthening the workforce is also a priority, with investments in training, compensation, and recruitment of direct support professionals. Additionally, the plan highlights the need for greater accountability and transparency by equipping families and advocates with clear information on state services. Finally, it calls for data-driven improvements by implementing measurable standards to assess service effectiveness and identify areas for enhancement.
“This would not have been possible without the collaboration of community members committed to making California a place where everyone is valued and can thrive,” said CalHHS Secretary Kim Johnson. “These recommendations will inform the future of our state to better meet the needs of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, their families, and the workforce that supports them.”
California’s community-based services system currently supports over 500,000 children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, funded with more than $15 billion annually. The state provides the nation’s only lifelong entitlement to these services. The Master Plan aims to refine service delivery and create stronger connections between employment, health, and social services systems.
Public engagement will continue on key topics such as employment, early intervention, autism, and rate reform. The plan, codified into law in 2024, requires annual reports to the Legislature over the next decade. Additionally, bi-annual committee meetings will be held to assess progress and update recommendations.
For more details and to access the full Master Plan, visit the California Health and Human Services Agency website, https://www.chhs.ca.gov/