​Financial strain and resource inefficiencies are large contributing factors that work against the success of a transitioning adolescent’s life.  There is, however, regional nonprofit support throughout California.  According to their website, Department of Development Services (DDS), California, the “regional centers provide diagnosis and assessment of eligibility and help plan, access, coordinate and monitor the services and supports that are needed because of a developmental disability.”  

The regional centers of California provide these assessments for free and if an adult or adolescent qualifies as needing state support, then the individual is provided with the funding necessary for treatment and placement through their developmental services.  There are 21 regions in California that offer support and funding for people with disabilities.  The regional centers provide amenities like; information, referral, outreach, counseling, assessment and diagnosis, individualized planning and service coordination, purchase of necessary services included in the individual program plan, etc.  

Although the regional centers provide free services, the issue is that they are a generalized program for all people in need of special services.  Only recently, in the last 10 years, were individuals with high-functioning added to the list of eligible individuals for their services, so the program is still in the process of learning the ins and outs of the diagnoses.