Participant Directed Services (including GGRC)

Participant Directed Services allows you and your family to have more control over your services. Anyone who receives services through the Regional Centers is eligible for this program.

DDS Website and Resources Regarding Client and Applicant Appeals

DDS Appeals, Complaints, and Comments

Phone: 833-538-3723

Regional Center Listings : CA Department of Developmental Services

• Alta California Regional Center Phone: 916-978-6400
• Central Valley Regional Center Phone: 559-276-4300
• Eastern Los Angeles Regional Center Phone: 626-299-4700
• Far Northern Regional Center Phone: 530-222-4791
• Frank D. Lanterman Regional Center Phone: 213-383-1300
• Golden Gate Regional Center Phone: 415-546-9222
• Harbor Regional Center Phone: 310-540-1711
• Inland Regional Center Phone: 909-890-3000
• Kern Regional Center Phone: 661-327-8531
• North Bay Regional Center Phone: 707-256-1100
• North Los Angeles County Regional Center Phone: 818-778-1900
• Redwood Coast Regional Center Phone: 707-445-0893
• Regional Center of the East Bay Phone: 510-618-6100
• Regional Center of Orange County Phone: 714-796-5100
• San Andreas Regional Center Phone: 408-374-9960
• San Diego Regional Center Phone: 858-576-2996
• San Gabriel/Pomona Regional Center Phone: 909-620-7722
• South Central Los Angeles Regional Center Phone: 213-744-7000
• Tri Counties Regional Center Phone: 805-962-7881
• Valley Mountain Regional Center Phone: 209-473-0951
• Westside Regional Center Phone: 310-258-4000

Both participants (employers) and caregivers (employees) have lots of timekeeping to do when working in a self-direction program.

Time4Care is our highly rated mobile solution for Apple and Android smart devices.

Better Online is a web-based app that keeps you organized and gives you the tools and info you need to manage your self-direction journey. Handle timesheets, check how much you spend each month, and get answers when you need them. It’s easy to use and available from any internet-connected device.

Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) is used in your program. Submit and approve timesheets with Time4Care EVV, our easy-to-use mobile app.

Here are some things that will help you learn more about EVV and how to use the Time4Care mobile app:

Question: What is Participant Directed Services (PDS)?

Answer: PDS allows people with developmental disabilities and their families to have more control over their services. This model lets you choose, hire, schedule, and supervise your own service providers for certain types of Individual Program Plan (IPP) services. These services can include respite, daycare, non-medical transportation, nursing, personal assistance, independent living skills, community-based training, social recreation, and supported employment. You can also use PDS to pay your Independent Facilitator when transitioning to the Self-Determination Program.

Question: What does PPL do?

Answer: PPL is a Financial Management Servies (FMS) agency vendored with Regional Centers to help you manage PDS.

We do the following:

• Enroll you and your workers, often family members, in the program.
• Train you as an employer to understand your roles and responsibilities.
• Process payroll and taxes
• Help coordinate all necessary background checks and verifications.
• Provide utilization reports and easy access to provider or worker information.

Question: What languages do you support?

Answer: PPL will support you in the primary language you speak. We have multiple staff who are bi-lingual. However, if someone does not speak your language, we have access to real time interpretation.

Question: How do I start Services?

Answer:

1. Speak with your Service Coordinator at the Regional Center.
2. The Regional Center will send your referral information to PPL.
3. PPL will get you set up in our system and call you to schedule time to complete your enrollment for you and your workers.
4. After the call you will receive enrollment forms to complete.
5. PPL will assist in getting your workers or preferred vendor or business set up to get paid.
6. PPL will provide you with an orientation on how to use our PPL systems and processes for a smooth transition to PDS.
7. Your Service Coordinator ensure your services are authorized and will create a Purchase of Services (POS) and send to PPL before your services can start.
8. Services begin once you receive a “Good to Go” status from PPL.

Question: I have already enrolled with PPL and want to add a new worker. What should I do?

Answer: If you would like to add additional workers, please call the enrollment phone line at 1-877-908-1752. PPL will start the process to get someone new added.

Question: When can my worker start providing services?

Answer: Your worker can begin providing services once they receive a “good to go” status from PPL. This will include the authorization from the Regional Center.

A worker will not be paid for any hours worked before the “good to go” status is issued.

Question: How does the worker I hired submit a timesheet?

Answer: If you have hired your worker, they will submit their work time via PPL’s Time4Care application. Our app is easy to use and can be downloaded to any smart phone. It is EVV (Electronic Visit Verification) compliant, which is a requirement for most employees. You will have an opportunity to approve your worker’s timesheets. Our team will provide you the basic instructions on how to use this app and answer any questions you may have.

Question: How do I know if the worker or vendor I choose should submit an invoice?

Answer: If your worker or vendor is providing services through their own business or are an independent contractor they will submit an invoice through our system. You will have an opportunity to review and approve each invoice before it is paid.

Question: When are time sheets and invoices due?

Answer: The pay schedule is posted on the payroll website. It will be listed under “Payroll Documents.”

Question: What is the BetterOnline portal?

Answer: BetterOnline gives you access to program information when you need it. BetterOnline allows you to:

• View the participant’s authorization and hours used and remaining hours
• Track paperwork processing of new workers.
• View the participant, employer and workers paperwork.
• See if errors exist or if work time is pended and fix the problem

Question: How do I sign up for BetterOnline Web Portal?

Answer: It is easy!

1. Go to PPLfirst.com
2. Select the “Sign Up” button
3. Select the PDS program and confirm your PPL ID, last name and Date of Birth
4. Create a unique username and password

Our team can assist with any questions and will help guide you through this process.

Question: How do I know how many authorized hours I have used and how many remain?

Answer: PPL will email or mail you a Monthly Utilization Report so you know how many hours of service you have used and how many remain. This information will help you know how to schedule your workers. Workers are not paid for hours they work if over the authorization.

Question: Who do I reach out to if I have more questions?

Answer: Our customer service team is available from 8:00A.M. to 5:00P.M PST.

The number is: 1-833-202-6175 and 1-800-360-5899 (TTY)

Email: capds-cs@pplfirst.com