Due to the recently enacted Developmental Services Budget Trailer Bill, Senate Bill (SB) 81 (Chapter 28, Statutes of 2019) the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) has been provided with time-limited funding to provide supplemental rate increases for specified services effective January 1, 2020 through December 31, 2021 only.
The supplemental rate increase will be applied as a percentage increase as established by the Department of Developmental Services to specified rates in effect on December 31, 2019. The rate increases shall be suspended at the end of the effective period unless certain conditions, as specified in SB 81, apply.
The Department will notify applicable community-based day programs and in-home respite agencies of their new rates. Far Northern Regional Center will notify all other providers with rates set through negotiation or community care facilities of the new rates, by letter, on or around January 21, 2020. Providers should expect to see the new rates on the January 2020 invoices.
It is important to note that certain rates may also include adjustments for the increase in minimum wage, also effective January 1, 2020. A copy of the letter sent to Regional Center Directors and a chart containing the specified service codes receiving a rate increase under SB 81 can be found here.