California's regional centers returned more than $978 million in money meant to buy disability services to the state in the budget year that ended in mid-2022, up from $108 million in 2018-19, the Los Angeles Times reported on Aug. 20, 2024, based on its analysis of state figures.
Where the money went unspent
The state allocated nearly $8.9 billion to the 21 regional centers to purchase services in 2021-22, so about 11% went unspent, the paper reported. The centers coordinate services for more than 400,000 Californians with developmental disabilities each year.
The Times reported that people can be approved for a service that never arrives if staffing agencies or other providers cannot find workers. Regional center leaders pointed to providers struggling to hire and keep staff as wages rose in other industries.
Why this mattered for providers and DSPs
Unspent money is not a sign of low need. It often means services that were authorized but never delivered because no one was available to provide them. The story showed how a shortage of DSPs turns into missed respite, in-home support and day services for families. It came two months after the state delayed the final phase of its disability rate increases by six months to help close a budget gap.