For California residents, when you decide to actively take steps for your adult son or daughter to move out of the family home, a productive approach can be a written request to your California Regional Center Service Coordinator.

A clear, well-cited  request for independent living services and  SLS transition does three powerful things:

1. Sets the agenda – It frames the IPP meeting around housing and Supported Living Services (SLS), so everyone shows up prepared.

   
   

2. Connects the dots to the law – Citing California Title 17 regulations and Welfare & Institutions Code provisions signals that you understand your child’s rights and the Regional Center’s obligations.

   
   

3. Creates a tangible paper trail – A dated memo becomes “Exhibit A” if there are delays or disagreements later.

Writing a memo like the following to your Service Coordinator isn’t about being adversarial—it’s about speaking the Regional Center’s language. A concise, well-cited request gives your Service Coordinator everything they need to move the process forward quickly and confidently.

Of course, you’ll tailor your memo’s tone and details to fit your own style and experience, but we recommend that you keep the core structure front and center: clear ask → legal basis → specific action steps.

I hope this post creates one of those moments that move you forward—and helps you give yourself permission to breathe.

Happy Shifting! Michael Pearce, Founder of shiftfuturecare.com and vestlife.com

SAMPLE MEMO TO CALIFORNIA REGIONAL CENTER SERVICE COORDIANATOR

Date:  June 3, 2025

To:  Service Coordinator for Sam Sample, California Regional Center

From:  Sarah Sample,  Parent and Court-Appointed Conservator of Samuel Sample

Subject:  Request to Update Sam’s IPP and Initiate his Housing Plan for SLS

Dear Regional Center Service Coordinator,

I am  writing on Sam Sample’s behalf, as his Parent and his Conservator,  to request a meeting to review and update Sam’s Individual Program Plan (IPP) and to add a goal for Sam to move into his own residence by the end of this year. 

I am requesting  that you initiate a housing referral and pre-tenancy supports  for Sam’s  Supported Living Services (SLS).

As you are aware, Sam has severe autism and requires constant, 24‐hour supervision and care. After consulting closely with his care team and reviewing his Individual Program Plan (IPP), we have determined that his ongoing progress toward achieving his goals—social integration and maximizing independent living skills—will be best supported by Sam residing in his own home with robust Supported Living Services.

As the years unfold, it is imperative that Sam learns to experience the world as a place where his Mother (me)  cannot always be there. I understand this transition will be a significant change for him, but I firmly believe he will thrive far better than if I postpone it until the inevitable day when I can no longer care for him myself.

To be blunt, it is simply not feasible or possible for me to serve as Sam’s “forever caregiver.”

We therefore seek to initiate a Supported Living Services (SLS) housing referral and pre‐tenancy supports. These services will include a comprehensive housing readiness assessment, tenant rights education, lease negotiation assistance, and budgeting support to facilitate a successful move‐in.

On Sam’s behalf, I am requesting these services as required by California Code of Regulations, Title 17, Division 2, Chapter 3, Article 3, Supported Living Services (§§ 58450-58455), which mandates that the Regional Center arrange for services that enable Sam to live independently in the community.

Specifically, Section 58452 (General Provisions for Supported Living Services) outlines the comprehensive nature of SLS to include supports necessary for community living, which encompasses housing search assistance and pre-tenancy training such as housing readiness assessments, tenant rights education, lease negotiation, and budgeting.

Furthermore, Welfare & Institutions Code § 4684(a) establishes the legislative intent for Supported Living Services to maximize the independence and inclusion of consumers in the community, thereby providing the overarching framework for these essential housing supports."

REQUESTED ACTIONS

1. INITIATE INDEPENDENT RESIDENCE PLANNING

1. Schedule IPP Review Meeting• Convene a meeting with Alta staff and us to discuss updating Sam’s IPP.

2. Update IPP Goal• Add the objective: “By December 31, 2025, Sam will move into his own residence with appropriate supports.”

3. SLS Housing Referral• Authorize an SLS housing referral in the IPP to fund Pre-Tenancy and Tenancy Support Services.

4. Pre-Tenancy Phase Kickoff• Initiate a comprehensive pre-tenancy process with an approved SLS vendor.

5. Pre-Tenancy Funding & Vendor Selection• Identify and authorize funding and select a qualified SLS provider from Alta’s vendor list.

6. Housing Discovery Meeting• Schedule a first Housing Discovery meeting to begin Sam’s search for a suitable residence.

7. Pre-Tenancy Service Steps: Person-Centered Housing Assessment• Gather Sam’s preferences: size, location, support proximity, accessibility, budget, roommate vs. solo, transit/day-program access.• Evaluate independent-living skills and safety needs (e.g., scam awareness, door security, neighborhood navigation).

CONCLUSION

Updating Sam’s IPP to include these objectives and SLS pre-tenancy supports is critical to his successful transition to independent living and his continuing development.  I appreciate your prompt attention to scheduling our IPP review meeting and authorizing these services.

Sincerely,

_________________________

Sarah Sample

{The above is not legal advice, and may not fit every situation or jurisdiction. Before relying on any of this information, please consult with your Service Coordinator regarding the SLS policies for Regional Center.}