DDS Meeting Announcement: Grievance Procedures

Next date: Wednesday, November 04, 2026 | 01:00 PM to 02:00 PM

The Department is pleased to invite you to a webinar about the New Federal Access Rule Grievance Procedure offered on either November 4 or November 12.

These new procedures will provide more protections for individuals who file complaints and will outline important changes to the grievance process.

Who Should Attend?

Anyone interested in learning about the new grievance process

Webinar Objectives:

• Introduce the simplified grievance process
• Increase participant understanding about what is changing and what is not changing on February 1, 2027

Details:

Wednesday, November 4, 2026

1:00 pm-2:00 pm

Via Zoom - Register Here

OR

Details:

Thursday, November 12, 2026

10:00 am-11:00 am

Via Zoom - Register Here

Background:

What’s changing: Starting February 1, 2027, California will begin using a new grievance process. This new process will replace the current section 4731 complaints, citizen complaints, and general complaints with one, combined system. Enforcement will start in December 2027.

Why the changes are happening: In 2024, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services created the Access Rule, which requires each state to have a clear grievance process. Right now, Section 4731 of the Welfare and Institutions Code allows people who are eligible for regional center services to file complaints against a regional center, a state-run facility, or a provider. We also accept citizen and general complaints. The new process will bring all of these together into one easier-to-use system.

When

Location

These are virtual meetings via Zoom.