This email includes the latest updates and progress on developments for Rate Reform, the Quality Incentive Program (QIP), and the Provider Directory.  Thank you to all regional centers and service providers for your partnership in advancing these efforts.

Need-to-Know

Rate Reform Update:

• Information for January 2025 rate reform implementation is being released in a series of directives over the coming month. Directives will provide regional centers and providers with guidance on service descriptions, new components, and timelines. 
• The first in the series of directives was released on September 19, 2024, to provide an overview of implementation.
• The first general rate reform overview training webinar was held on September 26, 2024. The next webinar training is scheduled for October 16th at 3pm. Regional centers, providers, and the public are encouraged to attend the trainings. 
• Registration information for additional upcoming training dates will be released soon. Information for each webinar and recordings of each training will be available on the “Meetings” section of the rate reform website.   
• Office hours for regional centers will occur weekly on Wednesdays from 1pm-3pm beginning October 9th. These office hours will provide an opportunity for regional centers to ask questions about previously held training webinars. 

Quality Incentive Program (QIP) Update:

• The Early Intervention measure’s incentive payment instructions for the first quarter of calendar year (CY) 2024 have been issued to regional centers.  These instructions detail the amounts to be paid to providers for their achievement of the measure’s incentive requirements.  
• There was a QIP Workgroup meeting on September 26, 2024.  This meeting included updates on current QIP incentive measures, the service provider directory, and a discussion on the vision and goals for the program.  The recording of this meeting and its materials are on the Stakeholder Meetings website, within the “Meeting Archive” tab and the QIP accordion folder. 
• The following Spanish versions of these directives have been added to the QIP webpage: 
• Employment Access measure extension 
• Employment Capacity measure extension 
• Early Intervention training slides 

Provider Directory Update:

• The Provider Directory continues to work through testing with anticipated launch the week of October 21.  The Department will issue guidance once all testing is completed.   
• The Quality Incentive Program Directive was released on September 23, 2024, which outlines the steps providers need to take in order to earn the quality incentive portion of the reimbursement rate from January 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026. 
• Service providers will receive an individualized email invitation from caddsprod@servicenowservices.com to register for the Provider Directory and review or update the information for accuracy.   

What is Rate Reform?

Rate reform in California’s developmental services system means changing the way the state pays for services.  If you were forwarded this email and would like to learn more, visit the rate reform website.  You can also sign up to continue receiving these updates.