Who You Can Hire

Participant-directed services: for some regional center services, you choose who provides them, such as a worker you hire or a class or camp in your community. A company called a financial management service (FMS) pays them. Start of this guide

The basics

You can hire a friend, a neighbor, a relative or anyone else who can do the job. The person does not have to be a regional center provider. They must:

Be 18 or older.
Be able to work legally in the United States.
Have the skills the service calls for, and know your routines and needs.

Before they start, your financial management service (FMS) collects their paperwork. Ask your FMS what checks and training are needed, such as a background check or CPR and first aid.

Service by service

Who can be the paid worker, by service
Service	Who can be the paid worker
Respite	Someone with the skills. Not the family member who is in charge of the worker and is getting the break. For a parent or a spouse, ask your regional center first.
Day care	A person or a day care program you choose. Not the parent, because day care is care while the parent works.
Nursing	A licensed nurse. A family member who is a nurse can be paid, unless the nursing is meant to give that same family member a break.
Transportation	A family member, the adult who gets the services, or a driver you choose. The driver needs a valid California license and insurance.
Community-based training	Someone with the skills. Not a parent or a conservator (a person a court has appointed). For another relative, ask your regional center.
Supported employment	Someone with the skills, including a family member or friend.
Personal assistance and independent living	Someone with the skills. For a parent or a spouse, ask your regional center first.
Coaching before the Self-Determination Program	A qualified person or business you choose. Ask your service coordinator who qualifies.

Can I hire a parent or a spouse?

It depends on the service and on your situation. Ask your regional center before you plan on it.

Next: The rates

Servicio	A quién se le puede pagar como trabajador(a)
Respiro	Alguien con las habilidades necesarias. No el familiar que está a cargo del trabajador(a) y que recibe el descanso. Para contratar al padre, a la madre, al esposo o a la esposa, pregúntale primero a tu Centro Regional.
Cuidado diurno	Una persona o un programa de cuidado diurno que tú escojas. No el padre ni la madre, porque el cuidado diurno es para las horas en que ellos trabajan.
Enfermería	Una enfermera o un enfermero con licencia. Un familiar que sea enfermera o enfermero puede recibir pago, a menos que la enfermería sea para darle un descanso a ese mismo familiar.
Transporte	Un familiar, la persona adulta que recibe los servicios, o alguien que tú escojas para manejar. Quien maneje necesita una licencia de manejar vigente de California y seguro.
Capacitación basada en la comunidad	Alguien con las habilidades necesarias. No el padre, la madre ni un conservador o conservadora (en inglés, conservator: una persona nombrada por un tribunal). Para contratar a otro familiar, pregúntale a tu Centro Regional.
Empleo con apoyo	Alguien con las habilidades necesarias, incluido un familiar o una amistad.
Asistencia personal y vida independiente	Alguien con las habilidades necesarias. Para contratar al padre, a la madre, al esposo o a la esposa, pregúntale primero a tu Centro Regional.
Asesoría antes del Programa de Autodeterminación	Una persona calificada o un negocio calificado que tú escojas. Pregúntale a tu coordinador(a) de servicios quién califica.

The basics

Service by service

Can I hire a parent or a spouse?

A quién puedes contratar

Lo básico

Servicio por servicio

¿Se puede contratar al padre, a la madre, al esposo o a la esposa?