Plain-language guides to the six programs every California family should know about — and one resource we share freely, because every dollar saved matters.
California has built one of the most comprehensive networks of support programs for children with special needs in the country. SSI, Medi-Cal, Regional Center, IHSS, CCS, and the Self-Determination Program provide meaningful financial support, medical coverage, developmental services, and long-term planning tools.
Most families never access the full picture — not because they don't qualify, but because no one laid it out clearly. These guides are a starting point. They are not a substitute for personalized guidance, but they are enough to help any family understand what exists and whether it applies to them.
Each guide includes a section on financial eligibility — including the nuances that most families miss and that often change the answer from "we don't qualify" to "we should have applied years ago."
Each program in the JDMR framework builds on the last. Reading them in order gives the clearest picture of how the system works together.
Monthly financial support and automatic Medi-Cal eligibility. The foundation of the entire framework — and the most commonly misunderstood in terms of who qualifies.
Read the GuideHealthcare coverage and the gateway to nearly every other program. Families with private insurance often skip this step — and lose access to everything that depends on it.
Read the GuideDevelopmental services, service coordination, and long-term support. Eligibility is not income-based — a fact that surprises almost every family hearing it for the first time.
Read the GuideCompensation for the caregiving parents already provide. Eligibility is based on the child's functional needs — not the family's income. The parent-provider option changes the financial picture entirely.
Read the GuideSpecialized medical care, therapies, and equipment for children with qualifying conditions. Most families have never heard of CCS — and their child has been eligible the entire time.
Read the GuideDirect family control over services, budget, and long-term planning. Available to all eligible Regional Center clients — not just those in financial need. The most flexible tool in the framework.
Read the GuideCalifornia's CARE and FERA programs provide meaningful monthly discounts on electricity and gas for qualifying households. Income thresholds are higher than most families expect — and families with medical equipment needs may qualify regardless of income through the Medical Baseline program.
Read the GuideCARE — California Alternate Rates for Energy. Discounts of 20–35% on electricity and 20% on gas for qualifying households.
FERA — Family Electric Rate Assistance. For households that earn slightly above CARE thresholds but have 3 or more people. Approximately 18% off electricity.
Medical Baseline — Families with a member who relies on life-support equipment or has qualifying medical conditions may qualify regardless of income.
Every family's situation is different. A complimentary 30-minute call with JDMR Group is the fastest way to understand exactly which programs apply to your child — and what a structured path forward looks like for your family specifically.