$0 Out-Of-Pocket Cost — 100% Funded via Regional Center Check Eligibility

The Harbor Regional Center guide

We may not be Harbor Regional Center, but we are the best darn guide that exists for it.

Map of Harbor Regional Center's area and its two offices The shaded area is Harbor Regional Center's area on the mainland: the South Bay beach cities, Torrance, the Palos Verdes Peninsula, San Pedro, Carson, Long Beach and the cities east to Norwalk and Cerritos. Catalina Island is part of it too. Pins mark its two offices, in Torrance and Long Beach. Pacific Ocean Manhattan Beach Redondo Beach Palos Verdes San Pedro Carson Lakewood Bellflower Norwalk Cerritos Torrancemain office Long Beachoffice Data: DDS, © OpenStreetMap contributors

How do I reach Harbor Regional Center?

Harbor has two offices, in Torrance and Long Beach. Both share one main number. Most things can be handled by phone or email, so you may never need to go in. Harbor’s own website is harborrc.org.

Main office

Torrance office

21309 Hawthorne Blvd.
Torrance, CA 90503
(310) 543-0100 Mon to Fri, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Directions
Second office

Long Beach office

1155 E. San Antonio Dr.
Long Beach, CA 90807
(310) 543-0100 Mon to Fri, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Directions

Looking for 21231 Hawthorne Blvd.? Harbor opened a new main building on the same campus, at 21309 Hawthorne Blvd. That’s where visitors check in. 21231 is still the mailing address. The main number changed too. It’s now (310) 543-0100.

After hours, on a weekend or a holiday? For urgent help that isn’t medical, call (310) 543-0100. Pick the option to speak to the On-Call Manager.

New to Harbor? For age 3 and up, call intake at (310) 543-0103. See how to apply.

How do I get hold of my Harbor service coordinator?

Your service coordinator is your main contact at Harbor. They work with you on your plan and arrange the services in it.

  • Try email first.Harbor staff emails look like firstname.lastname@harborrc.org. To find your coordinator’s, search your inbox for @harborrc.org.
  • Find their direct line.Harbor’s Contact Us page links to a staff directory. It lists each coordinator’s phone number, email and manager.
  • Still no answer?Call (310) 543-0100 and ask for your coordinator’s manager. The staff directory shows who that is.
  • Not a good fit?Harbor says you can ask for a new service coordinator. Under state law, a coordinator stays only if everyone agrees.

What does Harbor Regional Center pay for?

Harbor pays for services and supports for children and adults with developmental disabilities. Each one has to be written into your plan, the IPP, before Harbor pays.

  • Adaptive skills trainingA professional teaches real-life skills at home, like brushing teeth or making a meal, so they grow more independent.
  • RespiteSomeone else handles the care for a while, so you can rest or get things done.
  • Behavior servicesPlans and support for behavior that’s hard to handle.
  • Day programsDaytime programs for adults, with skills, activities and friends.
  • Help living on your ownSupport for an adult who has, or wants, a place of their own.
  • Social recreation and campSports, clubs and camps, for fun and friendship.
  • RidesTransportation to a day program or another service.
  • DiapersWhen a child is 3 or older.

Harbor is the last to pay. If IHSS, Medi-Cal, insurance or the school should cover a need, they’re asked first.

Can Harbor pay for help learning everyday skills?

Yes. The service is called adaptive skills training. A professional teaches at home, one skill at a time: things like bathing, getting ready, shopping or handling money. It works for kids, teens and adults. Your service coordinator can add it to your plan when you ask. See how to ask for it.

Levi Life Skills does this work, for families with NLACRC, Westside Regional Center and ELARC. We’re not in Harbor’s area yet. Your service coordinator can help you find a provider close to home.

How do I become a Harbor Regional Center client?

Harbor serves babies, children and adults with developmental disabilities who live in its area. Finding out if you qualify is free.

3 years and older

  • Autism
  • Cerebral palsy
  • An intellectual disability
  • Epilepsy
  • A disabling condition similar to an intellectual disability, or one that needs similar care

It shows up before 18 and is expected to stay. It also causes big problems in 3 or more areas of life, like self-care, moving around or learning.

Under 3

Babies and toddlers with a delay or disability can get Early Start. Call (310) 543-0102, email intakeunder3@harborrc.org, or apply online. The first steps must be done within 45 days.

Three steps

  1. Contact intake.Call (310) 543-0103, email intakeover3@harborrc.org, or fill out the online application.
  2. Give your OK.A parent, guardian or conservator signs a consent form before any testing starts. The testing is free.
  3. Harbor decides.This can take up to 120 days, or less when health or safety is at risk. A 3- or 4-year-old may be able to qualify before a diagnosis.

Our eligibility page explains who qualifies in more detail.

What if Harbor says no?

Harbor has to explain a no in a letter. The letter is called a Notice of Action. If you disagree, you can appeal.

60 daysto appeal, counting from when you receive the notice.
30 daysto appeal if you want services to stay the same during the appeal. It also has to be before the change starts.
  1. Turn in your appeal.Follow the steps in your notice. Your appeal is filed with the state.
  2. Say how you want to resolve it.You can pick an informal meeting, mediation, a hearing, or a few of these.
  3. Hear back.Expect an end within 90 days, unless it’s postponed.

Free help with appeals comes from Disability Rights California.

Where can parents get help?

Harbor Family Resource Center. Harbor runs it at three sites: Torrance, (310) 543-0104; Long Beach, (310) 543-0105; and Norwalk, (562) 526-2115. It has information for every age, plus books and toys you can borrow at no charge. See the hours and addresses.

Quick answers

What does HRC stand for?

Harbor Regional Center. Letters may also use its legal name, Harbor Developmental Disabilities Foundation.

Which cities does Harbor serve?

Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach, Torrance, Palos Verdes Estates, Rolling Hills, Rancho Palos Verdes, Harbor City, San Pedro, Wilmington, Carson, Long Beach, Signal Hill, Lakewood, Bellflower, Norwalk, Artesia, Cerritos, Hawaiian Gardens and Catalina Island. Check any address with our Regional Center lookup.

Are Gardena and Hawthorne with Harbor?

No. Gardena, Hawthorne and Lawndale are with Westside Regional Center. See our Westside Regional Center guide.

Does ADHD qualify?

ADHD isn’t on the list of conditions that qualify. But a person with ADHD can still qualify through autism or another condition on the list. And a child under 3 can get Early Start for a delay, with or without a diagnosis.

What if we’re moving?

You stay eligible when you move within California. For a move into or out of Harbor’s area, call (310) 543-0130 or email HRCtransfer@harborrc.org.

Can I get an interpreter?

Yes. Harbor has staff who speak many languages, and it uses interpreters when needed. It also has a Spanish line: (310) 543-0606. Ask your service coordinator for an interpreter at your IPP meeting.

Can I record my IPP meeting?

Yes. Just tell Harbor at least 24 hours before the meeting.

Levi Life Skills provides adaptive skills training at home for NLACRC, Westside Regional Center and ELARC families. We aren’t Harbor Regional Center, and this isn’t its website. Every fact on this page comes from Harbor’s or the state’s own websites. If you spot an error, email levi@levilifeskills.com.