About RCEB

The 2020-21 Budget Act includes $16.7 million ongoing funding for regional centers to
improve and promote Language Access and Cultural Competency to better support the
language needs of individuals with developmental disabilities, their caregivers, and their
family members. The primary purpose of these funds is to improve consumer and
family experience and to facilitate more consistent access to information and services
for multi-lingual, monolingual, and diverse cultural groups. This correspondence
provides guidance on how regional centers may expend funding.

Welfare and Institutions Code §4620.4 requires that the Department of Developmental
Services (Department) implement this initiative through its contracts with regional
centers. These funds shall not supplant any existing efforts or funds for similar
purposes but are intended to augment and provide maximum additional benefit to the
greatest number of persons served, their caregivers, and their families. Language
Access and Cultural Competency Plans shall be posted on the Department’s and
regional centers’ websites.

Regional Center of the East Bay’s Language Access and Culture Competency Program Fiscal Year 2025-2026.

This year, RCEB is committed to enhancing our outreach and engagement with the diverse communities we serve, including African American, Asian, Hispanic, LGBTQ+, and the DeafPlus communities. We will host conferences and support groups specifically tailored for these communities. Additionally, we will focus on expanding language resources for our Deaf community, enhancing our capacity for interpretation and translation services, and conducting listening sessions to better understand community needs. We will also strengthen our partnerships with Community Based Organizations to ensure we provide community-centered support for historically underserved populations. Our efforts will aim to improve access, promote awareness, and foster cultural competence among our service providers. The duration for this program is from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026. The total allocation for this fiscal year is $1,206,912.

Ethnicity and Languages:

RCEB is committed to serve its diverse community, including African American/Black, Asian American, Hispanic, LGBTQ, and DeafPlus. RCEB LACC activities align with our Alameda and Contra Costa threshold languages, including ASL, Cantonese, Spanish, Tagalog, and Vietnamese, as well with the unique needs of our community, including Maya Mam.

RCEB LACC Main Activities:

  • Conduct/Attend Outreach Events to Engage with Diverse Communities and Strengthen Connections
  • Host Second Annual Asian American Forum/Conference for the Chinese and Vietnamese Communities
  • Host Latino Conference in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties for Spanish-speaking clients and Families
  • Provide Translation and Interpretation Services to Meet Diverse Community Needs.
  • Conduct Community Listening Sessions with Diverse Communities, including Asian American, African American/Black, Hispanic, and DeafPlus.
  • Host Second DeafPlus Conference in Collaboration with GGRC
  • ESL Program for Cantonese RCEB Clients and Families
  • Host Second Annual Juneteenth Conference in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties for African American/Black Clients and Families

Department of Developmental Services Memo to Regional Centers

RCEB Language Access and Cultural Competency Application Plan