California’s Developmental Disabilities System
Full Report
Executive Summary
Press Release
Fact Sheet
Study Description
Agenda
Overview
Groundbreaking legislation codified more than 40 years ago and known as the Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Services Act, established the right to services and individual program planning for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in California. It also established the framework for a statewide system of community-based services and supports, today coordinated by a network of 21 nonprofit regional centers with oversight from the California Department of Developmental Services. In 2021, more than 366,000 Californians accessed services through this system.
Lawmakers have invested significantly to strengthen various aspects of the state’s developmental disabilities system in recent years, including providing funding to improve the system’s information technology infrastructure, data collection efforts, and service access and equity. Much of this work is ongoing, yet questions remain as how best to address disparities in the system. Recent research highlights ongoing challenges around variations in the availability and quality of services among racial and ethnic groups and among localities across the state.
The Little Hoover Commission’s upcoming study on this issue will assess the extent of current disparities in service access within the state, identify the underlying causes of these disparities and the current state efforts to address them, and consider how state government can improve the consistency and timeliness of service delivery for the individuals and their families who rely on the state’s developmental services programs.
If you would like more information about this study, please contact Tamar Foster at Tamar.Foster@lhc.ca.gov. To be notified electronically of meetings, events, or when the review is complete, please subscribe to Little Hoover Commission updates: https://bit.ly/LittleHooverNews.
Written testimony from hearing witnesses can be found below in the corresponding event agenda.

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October 272022Advisory Committee Roundtable on California's Developmental Disabilities System1:30 p.m.Advisory Committee MeetingAgenda
AGENDA
Advisory Committee Roundtable on California’s Developmental Disabilities System
1:30 p.m.
Thursday, October 27, 2022
Join Online or By Phone Via Zoom
Online: https://bit.ly/3RqoQXA
Phone: (888) 788-0099
Webinar ID: 919-7150-3117
Password: 5280231. Advisory Committee Roundtable on California's Developmental Disabilities System
a. Welcome and introduction
b. Advisory committee discussion
c. Public comment (3 minutes per speaker, limited to 30 minutes total)
Advisor Committee Participants:
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Alison Morantz, Director, Stanford Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Law and Policy Project, Stanford University
-
Amy Westling, Executive Director, Association of Regional Center Agencies
-
Areva Martin, Esq., Founder and President, Special Needs Network
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Ari Ne'eman, Senior Research Associate, Harvard Law School Project on Disability; Visiting Scholar, Lurie Institute for Disability Policy at Brandeis
-
Barry Jardini, Executive Director, California Disability Services Association
-
Brian Capra, Senior Staff Attorney, Children’s Rights Project, Public Counsel
-
Charlene Harrington, Professor Emerita of Sociology and Nursing, UC San Francisco
-
Judy Mark, President, Disability Voices United
-
Leinani Walter, Chief Equity Officer, California Department of Developmental Services
-
Sergio Aguilar-Gaxiola, Founding Director, UC Davis Center to Reduce Health Disparities
-
Vivian Haun, Senior Attorney, Disability Rights California
Event registration is not required but if you wish to add the event to your calendar or you would like to receive additional information about the study, please sign up for the event on Eventbrite.
Public NoticeFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 3, 2022
For Additional Information Contact:
Ethan Rarick, Executive Director
(916) 445-0926
Notice of Upcoming Events on California's Developmental Disabilities SystemThe Little Hoover Commission will conduct the following events on California's developmental disabilities system via Zoom:
- Public Hearing (Part 1): Thursday, October 13, Noon
- Advisory Committee Roundtable: Thursday, October 27, 1:30 p.m.
- Public Hearing (Part 2): Thursday, November 10, Noon
These events are a part of the Commission's study on the state's developmental disabilities system, which will assess the extent of current disparities in service access within the state, identify the underlying causes of these disparities and the current state efforts to address them, and consider how state government can improve the consistency and timeliness of service delivery for the individuals and their families who rely on the state’s developmental services programs.
Members of the public are encouraged to listen to the events by joining online or by phone. The Zoom information and phone number for accessing the events are included below with each event's agenda and also on our website. We highly recommend members of the public access the events through the Zoom app. Please visit the Zoom website for instructions on how to download the Zoom app onto a computer or smartphone. The events will also be livestreamed on the Commission's Facebook page.
During the events, members of the public may indicate to staff that they wish to make public comment by using the “raise” hand feature in Zoom or sending an email to littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov with your question and the phone number from which you have joined the event. Public comments will be heard at the end of the event and will be limited to three minutes per speaker and to a total of 30 minutes.
Witnesses or participants may be taken out of order to accommodate speakers and to maintain a quorum. The events may be cancelled without notice.
If you need reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please contact the Little Hoover Commission at (916) 445-2125 or littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov by October 6 for the October 13 hearing, by October 20 for the October 27 roundtable, and by November 3 for the November 10 hearing.
Video -
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December 82022Hearing on the Developmental Disabilities System (Part 3)NoonAgendaAGENDAHearing on California’s Developmental Disabilities System (Part 3)NoonThursday, December 8, 2022Join Online or By Phone Via ZoomOnline: http://bit.ly/3hXb96gPhone: (888) 788-0099Webinar ID: 933-2411-6547Password: 1164151. Hearing on California's Developmental Disabilities Systema. Aaron Carruthers, Executive Director, State Council on Developmental Disabilities (Written Testimony)b. Public comment (3 minutes per speaker, limited to 60 minutes total)Event registration is not required but if you wish to add the event to your calendar or you would like to receive additional information about the study, please sign up for the event on Eventbrite.Public Notice
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 21, 2022
For Additional Information Contact:
Ethan Rarick, Executive Director
(916) 445-0926Notice of Hearing
On Thursday, December 8, 2022, the Little Hoover Commission will conduct a public hearing on California's developmental disabilities system beginning at noon. The hearing will be held via Zoom.
Members of the public are encouraged to listen to the hearing by joining online or by phone. Click the URL to join online: http://bit.ly/3hXb96g. To join via phone, call toll free from the U.S. by dialing (888) 788-0099. The webinar ID is 933-2411-6547. The password is 116415. We highly recommend members of the public access the hearing through the Zoom app. Please visit the Zoom website for instructions on how to download the Zoom app onto a computer or smartphone. The hearing will also be livestreamed on the Commission's Facebook page.
During the hearing, members of the public may indicate to staff that they wish to make public comment by using the “raise” hand feature in Zoom or sending an email to littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov with your question and the phone number from which you have joined the hearing. Public comments will be heard at the end of the hearing and will be limited to three minutes per speaker and to a total of 60 minutes.
Witnesses may be taken out of order to accommodate speakers and to maintain a quorum. The hearings may be cancelled without notice.
If you need reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please contact the Little Hoover Commission at (916) 445-2125 or littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov by Thursday, December 1, 2022.
VideoEnglish version:
Spanish version (audio only):
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November 102022Hearing on the Developmental Disabilities System (Part 2)NoonPublic HearingAgenda
AGENDA
Hearing on California’s Developmental Disabilities System (Part 2)
Noon
Thursday, November 10, 2022
Join Online or By Phone Via Zoom
Online: https://bit.ly/3CpknjO
Phone: (888) 788-0099
Webinar ID: 955-0453-5362
Password: 3354151. Hearing on California's Developmental Disabilities System
a. Nancy Bargmann, Director, California State Department of Developmental Services (Written Testimony)
b. Tony Anderson, Executive Director, Valley Mountain Regional Center (Written Testimony)
c. Gloria Wong, Executive Director, Eastern Los Angeles Regional Center (Written Testimony)
d. Aaron Carruthers, Executive Director, State Council on Developmental Disabilities
e. Public Comment (3 minutes per speaker, limited to 30 minutes total)
Because disparities of different groups are the focus of this study, this hearing will include live Spanish and American Sign Language interpretation to help improve accessibility for consumers in the developmental disabilities system.
Event registration is not required but if you wish to add the event to your calendar or you would like to receive additional information about the study, please sign up for the event on Eventbrite.
Public NoticeFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 3, 2022
For Additional Information Contact:
Ethan Rarick, Executive Director
(916) 445-0926
Notice of Upcoming Events on California's Developmental Disabilities SystemThe Little Hoover Commission will conduct the following events on California's developmental disabilities system via Zoom:
- Public Hearing (Part 1): Thursday, October 13, Noon
- Advisory Committee Roundtable: Thursday, October 27, 1:30 p.m.
- Public Hearing (Part 2): Thursday, November 10, Noon
These events are a part of the Commission's study on the state's developmental disabilities system, which will assess the extent of current disparities in service access within the state, identify the underlying causes of these disparities and the current state efforts to address them, and consider how state government can improve the consistency and timeliness of service delivery for the individuals and their families who rely on the state’s developmental services programs.
Members of the public are encouraged to listen to the events by joining online or by phone. The Zoom information and phone number for accessing the events are included below with each event's agenda and also on our website. We highly recommend members of the public access the events through the Zoom app. Please visit the Zoom website for instructions on how to download the Zoom app onto a computer or smartphone. The events will also be livestreamed on the Commission's Facebook page.
During the events, members of the public may indicate to staff that they wish to make public comment by using the “raise” hand feature in Zoom or sending an email to littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov with your question and the phone number from which you have joined the event. Public comments will be heard at the end of the event and will be limited to three minutes per speaker and to a total of 30 minutes.
Witnesses or participants may be taken out of order to accommodate speakers and to maintain a quorum. The events may be cancelled without notice.
If you need reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please contact the Little Hoover Commission at (916) 445-2125 or littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov by October 6 for the October 13 hearing, by October 20 for the October 27 roundtable, and by November 3 for the November 10 hearing.
VideoEnglish version:
Spanish version (audio only):
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October 132022Hearing on the Developmental Disabilities System (Part 1)NoonPublic HearingAgenda
AGENDA:
Hearing on California’s Developmental Disabilities System (Part 1)
Noon
Thursday, October 13, 2022
Join Online or By Phone Via Zoom
Online: https://bit.ly/3SwMXoP
Phone: (888) 788-0099
Webinar ID: 974-3155-1528
Password: 8867041. Hearing on California's Developmental Disabilities System
a. Tim Jin, Self-Advocate; Assistant Director, Communication Rights Projects, Disability Voices United (Written Testimony)
b. Nancy Canchola, Parent (Written Testimony - English, Written Testimony - Spanish)
c. William Leiner, Managing Attorney, Disability Rights California (Written Testimony)
d. Elizabeth Gomez, Co-Founder and Director, Integrated Community Collaborative (Written Testimony)
e. Harry Bruell, President and CEO, PathPoint (Written Testimony)
f. Public comment (3 minutes per speaker, limited to 30 minutes total)
Event registration is not required but if you wish to add the event to your calendar or you would like to receive additional information about the study, please sign up for the event on Eventbrite.
Public NoticeFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 3, 2022
For Additional Information Contact:
Ethan Rarick, Executive Director
(916) 445-0926
Notice of Upcoming Events on California's Developmental Disabilities SystemThe Little Hoover Commission will conduct the following events on California's developmental disabilities system via Zoom:
- Public Hearing (Part 1): Thursday, October 13, Noon
- Advisory Committee Roundtable: Thursday, October 27, 1:30 p.m.
- Public Hearing (Part 2): Thursday, November 10, Noon
These events are a part of the Commission's study on the state's developmental disabilities system, which will assess the extent of current disparities in service access within the state, identify the underlying causes of these disparities and the current state efforts to address them, and consider how state government can improve the consistency and timeliness of service delivery for the individuals and their families who rely on the state’s developmental services programs.
Members of the public are encouraged to listen to the events by joining online or by phone. The Zoom information and phone number for accessing the events are included below with each event's agenda and also on our website. We highly recommend members of the public access the events through the Zoom app. Please visit the Zoom website for instructions on how to download the Zoom app onto a computer or smartphone. The events will also be livestreamed on the Commission's Facebook page.
During the events, members of the public may indicate to staff that they wish to make public comment by using the “raise” hand feature in Zoom or sending an email to littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov with your question and the phone number from which you have joined the event. Public comments will be heard at the end of the event and will be limited to three minutes per speaker and to a total of 30 minutes.
Witnesses or participants may be taken out of order to accommodate speakers and to maintain a quorum. The events may be cancelled without notice.
If you need reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please contact the Little Hoover Commission at (916) 445-2125 or littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov by October 6 for the October 13 hearing, by October 20 for the October 27 roundtable, and by November 3 for the November 10 hearing.
Video

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October 272022Advisory Committee Roundtable on California's Developmental Disabilities System1:30 p.m.Advisory Committee MeetingAgenda
AGENDA
Advisory Committee Roundtable on California’s Developmental Disabilities System
1:30 p.m.
Thursday, October 27, 2022
Join Online or By Phone Via Zoom
Online: https://bit.ly/3RqoQXA
Phone: (888) 788-0099
Webinar ID: 919-7150-3117
Password: 5280231. Advisory Committee Roundtable on California's Developmental Disabilities System
a. Welcome and introduction
b. Advisory committee discussion
c. Public comment (3 minutes per speaker, limited to 30 minutes total)
Advisor Committee Participants:
-
Alison Morantz, Director, Stanford Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Law and Policy Project, Stanford University
-
Amy Westling, Executive Director, Association of Regional Center Agencies
-
Areva Martin, Esq., Founder and President, Special Needs Network
-
Ari Ne'eman, Senior Research Associate, Harvard Law School Project on Disability; Visiting Scholar, Lurie Institute for Disability Policy at Brandeis
-
Barry Jardini, Executive Director, California Disability Services Association
-
Brian Capra, Senior Staff Attorney, Children’s Rights Project, Public Counsel
-
Charlene Harrington, Professor Emerita of Sociology and Nursing, UC San Francisco
-
Judy Mark, President, Disability Voices United
-
Leinani Walter, Chief Equity Officer, California Department of Developmental Services
-
Sergio Aguilar-Gaxiola, Founding Director, UC Davis Center to Reduce Health Disparities
-
Vivian Haun, Senior Attorney, Disability Rights California
Event registration is not required but if you wish to add the event to your calendar or you would like to receive additional information about the study, please sign up for the event on Eventbrite.
Public NoticeFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 3, 2022
For Additional Information Contact:
Ethan Rarick, Executive Director
(916) 445-0926
Notice of Upcoming Events on California's Developmental Disabilities SystemThe Little Hoover Commission will conduct the following events on California's developmental disabilities system via Zoom:
- Public Hearing (Part 1): Thursday, October 13, Noon
- Advisory Committee Roundtable: Thursday, October 27, 1:30 p.m.
- Public Hearing (Part 2): Thursday, November 10, Noon
These events are a part of the Commission's study on the state's developmental disabilities system, which will assess the extent of current disparities in service access within the state, identify the underlying causes of these disparities and the current state efforts to address them, and consider how state government can improve the consistency and timeliness of service delivery for the individuals and their families who rely on the state’s developmental services programs.
Members of the public are encouraged to listen to the events by joining online or by phone. The Zoom information and phone number for accessing the events are included below with each event's agenda and also on our website. We highly recommend members of the public access the events through the Zoom app. Please visit the Zoom website for instructions on how to download the Zoom app onto a computer or smartphone. The events will also be livestreamed on the Commission's Facebook page.
During the events, members of the public may indicate to staff that they wish to make public comment by using the “raise” hand feature in Zoom or sending an email to littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov with your question and the phone number from which you have joined the event. Public comments will be heard at the end of the event and will be limited to three minutes per speaker and to a total of 30 minutes.
Witnesses or participants may be taken out of order to accommodate speakers and to maintain a quorum. The events may be cancelled without notice.
If you need reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please contact the Little Hoover Commission at (916) 445-2125 or littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov by October 6 for the October 13 hearing, by October 20 for the October 27 roundtable, and by November 3 for the November 10 hearing.
Video -
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December 82022Hearing on the Developmental Disabilities System (Part 3)NoonAgendaAGENDAHearing on California’s Developmental Disabilities System (Part 3)NoonThursday, December 8, 2022Join Online or By Phone Via ZoomOnline: http://bit.ly/3hXb96gPhone: (888) 788-0099Webinar ID: 933-2411-6547Password: 1164151. Hearing on California's Developmental Disabilities Systema. Aaron Carruthers, Executive Director, State Council on Developmental Disabilities (Written Testimony)b. Public comment (3 minutes per speaker, limited to 60 minutes total)Event registration is not required but if you wish to add the event to your calendar or you would like to receive additional information about the study, please sign up for the event on Eventbrite.Public Notice
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 21, 2022
For Additional Information Contact:
Ethan Rarick, Executive Director
(916) 445-0926Notice of Hearing
On Thursday, December 8, 2022, the Little Hoover Commission will conduct a public hearing on California's developmental disabilities system beginning at noon. The hearing will be held via Zoom.
Members of the public are encouraged to listen to the hearing by joining online or by phone. Click the URL to join online: http://bit.ly/3hXb96g. To join via phone, call toll free from the U.S. by dialing (888) 788-0099. The webinar ID is 933-2411-6547. The password is 116415. We highly recommend members of the public access the hearing through the Zoom app. Please visit the Zoom website for instructions on how to download the Zoom app onto a computer or smartphone. The hearing will also be livestreamed on the Commission's Facebook page.
During the hearing, members of the public may indicate to staff that they wish to make public comment by using the “raise” hand feature in Zoom or sending an email to littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov with your question and the phone number from which you have joined the hearing. Public comments will be heard at the end of the hearing and will be limited to three minutes per speaker and to a total of 60 minutes.
Witnesses may be taken out of order to accommodate speakers and to maintain a quorum. The hearings may be cancelled without notice.
If you need reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please contact the Little Hoover Commission at (916) 445-2125 or littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov by Thursday, December 1, 2022.
VideoEnglish version:
Spanish version (audio only):
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November 102022Hearing on the Developmental Disabilities System (Part 2)NoonPublic HearingAgenda
AGENDA
Hearing on California’s Developmental Disabilities System (Part 2)
Noon
Thursday, November 10, 2022
Join Online or By Phone Via Zoom
Online: https://bit.ly/3CpknjO
Phone: (888) 788-0099
Webinar ID: 955-0453-5362
Password: 3354151. Hearing on California's Developmental Disabilities System
a. Nancy Bargmann, Director, California State Department of Developmental Services (Written Testimony)
b. Tony Anderson, Executive Director, Valley Mountain Regional Center (Written Testimony)
c. Gloria Wong, Executive Director, Eastern Los Angeles Regional Center (Written Testimony)
d. Aaron Carruthers, Executive Director, State Council on Developmental Disabilities
e. Public Comment (3 minutes per speaker, limited to 30 minutes total)
Because disparities of different groups are the focus of this study, this hearing will include live Spanish and American Sign Language interpretation to help improve accessibility for consumers in the developmental disabilities system.
Event registration is not required but if you wish to add the event to your calendar or you would like to receive additional information about the study, please sign up for the event on Eventbrite.
Public NoticeFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 3, 2022
For Additional Information Contact:
Ethan Rarick, Executive Director
(916) 445-0926
Notice of Upcoming Events on California's Developmental Disabilities SystemThe Little Hoover Commission will conduct the following events on California's developmental disabilities system via Zoom:
- Public Hearing (Part 1): Thursday, October 13, Noon
- Advisory Committee Roundtable: Thursday, October 27, 1:30 p.m.
- Public Hearing (Part 2): Thursday, November 10, Noon
These events are a part of the Commission's study on the state's developmental disabilities system, which will assess the extent of current disparities in service access within the state, identify the underlying causes of these disparities and the current state efforts to address them, and consider how state government can improve the consistency and timeliness of service delivery for the individuals and their families who rely on the state’s developmental services programs.
Members of the public are encouraged to listen to the events by joining online or by phone. The Zoom information and phone number for accessing the events are included below with each event's agenda and also on our website. We highly recommend members of the public access the events through the Zoom app. Please visit the Zoom website for instructions on how to download the Zoom app onto a computer or smartphone. The events will also be livestreamed on the Commission's Facebook page.
During the events, members of the public may indicate to staff that they wish to make public comment by using the “raise” hand feature in Zoom or sending an email to littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov with your question and the phone number from which you have joined the event. Public comments will be heard at the end of the event and will be limited to three minutes per speaker and to a total of 30 minutes.
Witnesses or participants may be taken out of order to accommodate speakers and to maintain a quorum. The events may be cancelled without notice.
If you need reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please contact the Little Hoover Commission at (916) 445-2125 or littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov by October 6 for the October 13 hearing, by October 20 for the October 27 roundtable, and by November 3 for the November 10 hearing.
VideoEnglish version:
Spanish version (audio only):
-
October 132022Hearing on the Developmental Disabilities System (Part 1)NoonPublic HearingAgenda
AGENDA:
Hearing on California’s Developmental Disabilities System (Part 1)
Noon
Thursday, October 13, 2022
Join Online or By Phone Via Zoom
Online: https://bit.ly/3SwMXoP
Phone: (888) 788-0099
Webinar ID: 974-3155-1528
Password: 8867041. Hearing on California's Developmental Disabilities System
a. Tim Jin, Self-Advocate; Assistant Director, Communication Rights Projects, Disability Voices United (Written Testimony)
b. Nancy Canchola, Parent (Written Testimony - English, Written Testimony - Spanish)
c. William Leiner, Managing Attorney, Disability Rights California (Written Testimony)
d. Elizabeth Gomez, Co-Founder and Director, Integrated Community Collaborative (Written Testimony)
e. Harry Bruell, President and CEO, PathPoint (Written Testimony)
f. Public comment (3 minutes per speaker, limited to 30 minutes total)
Event registration is not required but if you wish to add the event to your calendar or you would like to receive additional information about the study, please sign up for the event on Eventbrite.
Public NoticeFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 3, 2022
For Additional Information Contact:
Ethan Rarick, Executive Director
(916) 445-0926
Notice of Upcoming Events on California's Developmental Disabilities SystemThe Little Hoover Commission will conduct the following events on California's developmental disabilities system via Zoom:
- Public Hearing (Part 1): Thursday, October 13, Noon
- Advisory Committee Roundtable: Thursday, October 27, 1:30 p.m.
- Public Hearing (Part 2): Thursday, November 10, Noon
These events are a part of the Commission's study on the state's developmental disabilities system, which will assess the extent of current disparities in service access within the state, identify the underlying causes of these disparities and the current state efforts to address them, and consider how state government can improve the consistency and timeliness of service delivery for the individuals and their families who rely on the state’s developmental services programs.
Members of the public are encouraged to listen to the events by joining online or by phone. The Zoom information and phone number for accessing the events are included below with each event's agenda and also on our website. We highly recommend members of the public access the events through the Zoom app. Please visit the Zoom website for instructions on how to download the Zoom app onto a computer or smartphone. The events will also be livestreamed on the Commission's Facebook page.
During the events, members of the public may indicate to staff that they wish to make public comment by using the “raise” hand feature in Zoom or sending an email to littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov with your question and the phone number from which you have joined the event. Public comments will be heard at the end of the event and will be limited to three minutes per speaker and to a total of 30 minutes.
Witnesses or participants may be taken out of order to accommodate speakers and to maintain a quorum. The events may be cancelled without notice.
If you need reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please contact the Little Hoover Commission at (916) 445-2125 or littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov by October 6 for the October 13 hearing, by October 20 for the October 27 roundtable, and by November 3 for the November 10 hearing.
Video