RCEB contracts with qualified service providers for a variety of services and supports for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families in the Alameda and Contra Costa Counties.
- How to become a Service Provider:
Service providers must be vendored by Regional Center of the East Bay before they can provide and be reimbursed for services.
- What is Vendorization?
“Vendorization” is the term used to describe the approval process to provide services through regional centers to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Beginning January 1, 2026, Regional Center of the East Bay will begin using the Provider Directory for new vendorizations for Early Start (Service Codes 116 and 805), Day Services (Service Codes 531, 532, and 533), and Residential Facilities (Service Codes 905, 910, 915, and 920).
For all other service codes, if you are interested in becoming a vendor, you will need to submit a letter of intent to vendorization@rceb.org.
Effective March 1, 2026, RCEB will begin using the Provider Directory for ALL new vendorizations as required by Section 4435.1(e) of the Welfare and Institutions Code. You apply for vendorization online through the Provider Directory. This is where you will submit required information and documents, communicate with regional centers, and track your progress.
Your application will be reviewed by the vendoring regional center – the center responsible for the geographic area (also known as catchment area) where your site-based service or operating office is located. The regional center will review your documents and determine if you meet the requirements. If approved, you will be assigned a vendor number and a service code in the Provider Directory.
Effective on and after July 1, 2026, Purchase Reimbursement (Service Code 024) vendorization applications must be completed in the Provider Directory.
- Who can apply?
Potential New Providers: People or agencies who want to start offering services and supports to Californians with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Existing Providers: Providers who want to add new services or expand to new areas.
Family Members or Guardians: People supporting individuals receiving services from a regional center who need to be reimbursed expenses. Please discuss with the case manager, not all services can be reimbursed.
- Who cannot apply in the Directory?
People seeking to provide service to individuals in the Self-Determination Program cannot apply in the Provider Directory. Please contact your RCEB Case Manager to learn more about the process for offering services to program participants. For more information about the Self-Determination Program, visit the RCEB section on Self-Determination.
- When should you apply for vendorization in the Directory?
Applicants can start a vendorization application at any time.
However, if applying for an emergency vendorization or applying for vendorization of certain specialized facilities through the Community Placement Plan (CPP) or Community Resource Development Plan (CRDP) project; contact your Resource Specialist Liaison to learn how to begin your application process and when to create your login profile to apply in the Provider Directory.
- How can I prepare?
You must determine what service type you are planning to provide and understand applicable statutes, regulations and directives issued by the Department of Developmental Services based on your experience and expertise. The Department of Developmental Services is governed by Title 17 Division 2 of the California Code of Regulations (CCR). Vendorization is governed by Title 17, Division 2, Chapter 3, Subchapter 2.
These rules explain:
- What services regional centers can fund?
- What providers must do to qualify?
- How the vendorization process works?
- What is required to maintain your vendorization?
- The commonly used terms you need to know.
To learn more about services offered through regional centers, visit the Regional Center Services and Descriptions webpage on the Department of Developmental Services’ website
- What services are needed?
- Financial Management Services for Paid Internship Program
- Multi-family Affordable Housing
- Specialized health trained respite care providers
- Early Start services that can serve clients/families who speak Arabic, Spanish
- Art Program in Central and East Contra Costa County
- See open requests for proposals
- Service Provider Saturation (more providers are not needed):Licensed Residential Care (Community Care Facilities) for both adults and childrenSupported Living Services
Independent Living Services
- What are the steps to apply?
Exhibit 1: Vendorization application steps and processing time requirements
The vendorization process is done online through the Provider Directory.
- Here is what to expect:
Step 1 Apply: Create or login to an existing Provider Directory Profile.
Login: Provider Directory
New business to the Provider Directory 
create log in profile.
Already in the Provider Directory login with existing credentials.
Step 2 Submit Requirements:
Submit information to show you meet the minimum requirements.
The regional center will review your request within 15 calendar days.
Step 3 Submit application:
If you meet the basic requirements, you will be asked to submit additional information and documents to support your application.
When all requested information is received, the regional center will review your application for completeness within 30 calendar days.
If anything is missing or incorrect, you will have 30 calendar days to submit it. The submission review timeline/clock pauses for the regional center during this time and does not reset.
Step 4 Receive Decision
When the application is complete, RCEB will review the application.
RCEB will make a vendorization decision within 45 calendar days.
If approved, you will receive a vendor number.
If not approved, you will receive a denial notice with rights to appeal the decision.
- Who can use a Service Providers?
Once vendored, a service provider may be utilized by other regional centers, known as “user” or “utilizing” regional centers, as well as the originally vendoring regional center.
NOTE: The vendor identification number assigned by the vendoring regional center must be used by all regional centers purchasing the vendored service.
- Do you need help?
For on-demand resources, such as step-by-step guides, FAQs, and an overview of the vendorization process, go to the DDS How to Become a Vendor web page.
If you have questions or need help with the process, contact us at vendorization@rceb.org.
Important Note about Vendorization
Even if a regional center vendors an applicant that meets all the requirements, this does not guarantee a referral of individuals to you for service. Referral decisions are at the discretion of the regional center.