Transparency Appeals and Complaints
Responding to Your Concerns
VMRC is committed to building strong partnerships with the individuals and families we serve. Our goal is to be responsive to your unique needs and to clearly communicate options that may be available to you. If you applied for or use regional center services, you may:
- File a complaint about rights violations
- Appeal decisions about your services
- Submit a whistleblower complaint for improper actions within the system
If you have any questions, you can always contact your service coordinator to get help. You can also email your questions to AppealsandComplaints@vmrc.net.
Appeals Process
There may be a time when you or your family disagrees with a decision we make. VMRC will make every effort to meet with you to resolve disagreements about a service or eligibility decision. If after meeting with your service coordination team, we cannot come to an agreement you have the right to file a formal appeal.
For the most up to date forms and instructions on the formal appeal process, visit the Appeals and Complaint website of the Department of Developmental Services.
If you have any questions or are unable to access the link above, please contact your service coordinator.
Whistleblower Complaints
If you feel a VMRC board member, officer, director, employee, contractor, or service provider has acted improperly, please refer to VMRC Whistleblower Policy. You may also refer to the State of California Department of Developmental Services (DDS) webpage for information on how to file a Whistleblower complaint with DDS.
Complaints
The complaint process is used when an individual, family, or any representative acting on behalf of someone served by regional center, believes that any right has been wrongly or unfairly denied by a regional center or a contracted service provider. This includes your right to be free from discrimination, retaliation, and bias. State and federal laws prohibit agencies from denying benefits or services or providing you with aid that is different from the aid provided to others, because you belong to any protected class, such as: Race, Color, Ancestry, National Origin (including language), Ethnic Group Identification, Age, Physical, or Mental Disability, Medical Condition, Religion, Sex, Gender, Gender Identity or Expression, Sexual Orientation, Marital Status, Domestic Partnership, Political Affiliation, Citizenship, Immigration Status, and Genetic Information.
VMRC has a zero-tolerance policy for discrimination, retaliation, and bias. If you believe that VMRC has violated your rights, you may register your complaints with VMRC, DDS, or the other state and federal agencies. In addition, the Section 4731 complaint process is available to every individual served by VMRC and their representatives who believe they are subject to discriminatory, retaliatory, or biased action or non-action taken by a regional center or provider. Court remedies may also be available.
If a violation of rights is confirmed to have occurred, the intent of the complaint process is to provide a meaningful resolution and attempt to prevent similar violations from occurring again.
The formal complaint process is not to be used when there is a disagreement regarding services or eligibility. If you have any questions or are unable to access the links above, please contact your service coordinator. You can also email your questions to AppealsandComplaints@vmrc.net.