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

The South Central Los Angeles Regional Center guide

We may not be the South Central Los Angeles Regional Center, but we are the best darn guide that exists for it.

Map of South Central Los Angeles Regional Center's area and its two offices The shaded area is South Central Los Angeles Regional Center's area: South Los Angeles and Watts, plus Huntington Park, Bell, South Gate, Lynwood, Compton, Paramount and Downey. Pins mark its two offices, in Los Angeles and South Gate. Leimert Park Watts Huntington Park Compton Lynwood Paramount Downey Los Angelesmain office South Gateoffice Data: DDS, © OpenStreetMap contributors

How do I reach SCLARC?

SCLARC has two offices, one on Western Avenue in Los Angeles and one in South Gate. Both use the same phone number. Phone and email handle most things. SCLARC’s own website is sclarc.org.

Main office

Los Angeles office

2500 S. Western Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90018
(213) 744-7000 Call for hours. Directions
Second office

South Gate office

12226 Garfield Ave.
South Gate, CA 90280
(213) 744-7000 Call for hours. Directions

Can’t reach your service coordinator? Email cmhelp@sclarc.org if the person is 3 or older, or earlystarthelp@sclarc.org for a child under 3. SCLARC will help you connect.

Is there a separate number for case management? Yes. SCLARC’s case management team is at 1-833-725-2721.

Not with SCLARC yet? Call (213) 744-7000, extension 3227. Here’s what happens next.

How do I reach my SCLARC service coordinator?

Your service coordinator is the SCLARC staff member who works on your plan. They set up the services SCLARC pays for.

  • Look in your inbox.SCLARC staff emails end in @sclarc.org. Find an old email from your coordinator to get their address.
  • Call the main line.Dial (213) 744-7000 and ask for your coordinator by name. Leave your name, the client’s name and a callback number.
  • Still stuck?Write to cmhelp@sclarc.org (age 3 and up) or earlystarthelp@sclarc.org (under 3). That’s the address SCLARC gives for help reaching a coordinator.
  • Need a new coordinator?You can ask for one. State law says a coordinator stays only if everyone agrees. Ask for the coordinator’s supervisor.

What does SCLARC pay for?

SCLARC pays for support that helps a person with a developmental disability grow and do more on their own. It only pays for what is written into your IPP, your plan.

  • Adaptive skills trainingA professional teaches practical skills where you live, like bathing or making a snack, so they can manage more without you.
  • RespiteA few hours when someone else looks after things and you get time for yourself.
  • Behavior servicesHelp for behavior that makes home, school or outings hard.
  • Day programsPlaces adults go on weekdays to learn, work on skills and be social.
  • Help living on your ownStaff support for an adult living in their own apartment.
  • Social recreation and campActivities for fun, like teams, lessons and camp.
  • RidesTransportation to services listed in the plan.
  • DiapersFor a child who is 3 or older.

SCLARC pays after everyone else. The school district, Medi-Cal, insurance or IHSS goes first if it should cover the need.

SCLARC clients can get this

It’s adaptive skills training, done at home. A caring professional works on the skills your family picks: using the toilet, dressing, cooking, money, getting around town. It’s for kids, teens and adults.

  • A caring professional comes to your home
  • Every professional has a master’s degree
  • 9.3 years of experience, on average
  • Matched with someone who has helped people with the same struggle
  • SCLARC pays, so your family pays $0

How do I become a SCLARC client?

SCLARC serves people of all ages with developmental disabilities who live in its area. Finding out if you qualify costs nothing.

3 and up

  • Autism
  • Cerebral palsy
  • Epilepsy
  • An intellectual disability
  • A condition close to an intellectual disability, or needing the same kind of help

It began before age 18 and is expected to last. It makes at least 3 areas of daily life much harder, for example self-care, talking, learning or moving around.

Under 3

Babies and toddlers with a delay or disability can get Early Start. Anyone can refer a child. Call (213) 744-7000, extension 3226, or email earlystartintake@sclarc.org. Within 45 days, SCLARC evaluates your child and makes a plan with you.

The steps

  1. Refer yourself or your child.Call (213) 744-7000, extension 3227, email lantermanintake@sclarc.org, or use the online form in English or Spanish.
  2. SCLARC gathers information.It may ask for medical and school records, like IEPs. A psychologist or other expert may do an assessment. It’s free.
  3. SCLARC decides.It has up to 120 days, or 60 days if waiting would put the person at risk. A child who is 3 or 4 can sometimes qualify before a diagnosis.

Read more on who qualifies on our eligibility page.

What if SCLARC says no?

When SCLARC denies, cuts or stops a service, it has to tell you in a letter called a Notice of Action. You can appeal that decision.

60 daysfrom getting the notice to file your appeal.
30 daysto appeal if you want current services to continue until it’s settled. It must also be before the change begins.
  1. File with the state.Your notice lists the steps. The appeal is filed with the state, not SCLARC.
  2. Choose a path.An informal meeting, mediation, a hearing, or a combination.
  3. Get your answer.Expect it within 90 days, unless it’s pushed back.

Disability Rights California offers families free help with appeals.

Is there help just for parents?

McClaney Family Resource Center. SCLARC runs it with Early Start funding, inside both offices. It supports families of babies, children and adults, and every workshop is in English and Spanish. Call (213) 744-8882 (Los Angeles) or (213) 744-8883 (South Gate), email SclarcFRC@sclarc.org, or read about it.

Quick answers

What does SCLARC stand for?

South Central Los Angeles Regional Center.

Which cities does SCLARC serve?

Bell, Bell Gardens, Compton, Cudahy, Downey, Huntington Park, Lynwood, Maywood, Paramount, South Gate and Vernon, plus South Los Angeles, Watts, Leimert Park, Florence-Firestone and West Adams. It also covers parts of Carson and Gardena. Check any address with our Regional Center lookup.

Is Gardena with SCLARC or Westside?

It depends on your address. Parts of Gardena are with SCLARC, and parts are with Westside Regional Center or Harbor. Our lookup can tell you.

Does SCLARC help in Spanish?

Yes. Its forms and family workshops come in English and Spanish, and you can ask for an interpreter for your IPP meeting.

Can I record my IPP meeting?

Yes. Tell SCLARC at least 24 hours ahead of time.

Is SCLARC a government office?

No. It’s a nonprofit that works under a contract with the state’s Department of Developmental Services (DDS).

Levi Life Skills provides adaptive skills training at home for Regional Center families, SCLARC’s included. We’re not SCLARC, and this isn’t SCLARC’s website. We checked each fact here on SCLARC’s and the state’s own websites. See something out of date? Email levi@levilifeskills.com.