Risk Management & Mitigation

Beginning in Fiscal Year 2001-02, the California Legislature provided funding to the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) and regional centers to create a system for managing risks. The goal was to improve the health, safety, and well-being of individuals served by regional centers, and to introduce strategies to prevent and reduce risks.

DDS’ risk management system takes into account California’s diverse population while maintaining the core functions of the state’s service system. This system involves several organizations, but the three main groups responsible for risk management and mitigation in the developmental disabilities services system are DDS, the 21 regional centers, and an independent contractor hired to manage risk.

More Information about the DDS Risk Management System.

DDS and regional centers track trends in Special Incident Reports (SIR) to identify the most common types of incidents, changes in the patterns of incidents and who has the greatest risk. The interactive dashboard allows users to explore SIRs across the state.

  • SIR’s are submitted to DDS by regional centers according to Title 17, Section 54327 of the California Code of Regulations.
  • The focus of the dashboard is for individuals “living out of home” because most Title 17 SIR reportable events categories only apply when an individual is under vendored care.
  • The interactive dashboard allows the user to explore statewide trends by Residence Type, Age Group or Race.
  • The dashboard will be updated on a quarterly basis.

As part of efforts to manage risk and ensure quality of services, DDS and California’s regional centers keep track of adverse events captured through Special Incident Reports (SIR). Monitoring helps identify trends and develop strategies to prevent and reduce risks. Title 17, Section 54327 of the California Code of Regulations, requires vendors and long-term health care facilities to report occurrences of:

  • Suspected abuse
  • Suspected neglect
  • Injury requiring medical attention
  • Unplanned hospitalization
  • Any occurrence of Missing persons, if they occur when an individual is receiving regional center services funded by a regional center (under vendored care)
  • Any mortality and/or Individual being the victim of crime (whether or not it occurred while they were under vendored care)

Reports include the annual Report to the Legislature, the semi-annual Mortality Special Incidents Report, the semi-annual Non-Mortality Special Incidents Report and the semi-annual Mover Report.

Risk Management Year in Review – Annual Report

This report is required by Section 55 of Assembly Bill 430, Chapter 171, Statutes of 2001, to provide an annual report regarding special incidents involving individuals with developmental disabilities served by regional centers.

Semi-Annual Risk Management Special Incident Reports

Mortality and Non-Mortality Special Incidents Combined

This semi-annual report summarizes mortality and non-mortality special incident rates for individuals with developmental disabilities served by regional centers.

Semi-Annual Mover Reports

These semi-annual reports summarize indicators regarding individuals with developmental disabilities who transitioned from developmental centers to the community.

DDS is always working to improve its risk management efforts by taking ongoing actions that lead to real, measurable improvements and results. Increasing prevention methods helps reduce the opportunity for risk. Below are various materials to help prevent the spread of serious illnesses, like Flu and Pneumonia.

These materials include informational brochures on the flu vaccine and the pneumonia vaccine, and a poster, in English, Chinese, Spanish, Tagalog, and Vietnamese.

Resources

Tools developed to help regional centers, service providers, and families improve health and safety among the individuals they support.

Fall Prevention

The fall prevention materials provide some easy and practical things that can be done to prevent falls.

Chronic Conditions & Checklists

The Chronic Condition Checklists are tools to help regional center staff, service providers and families monitor common chronic conditions. The materials support steps for appropriate care and to prevent potential special incidents (SIRs) from occurring.

Medication Errors

The Medication Error Report Diagnostic Tool and Medication Administration Checklist can be used by regional centers and service providers to lower the rate of medication error special incidents (SIRs) by improving the processes for managing and administering medications.

Risk Management Training Manual

The Risk Management Training manual for regional centers to use in their staff development and quality assurance efforts. Regional centers can utilize the training modules for their own staff or as training opportunities for their vendors.


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Last modified: March 10, 2025