Community Spotlight: San Diego Regional Center
Imagine a world where every individual, regardless of ability, can harness technology to learn, grow + connect. For thousands of San Diegans with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), that vision is made real by the San Diego Regional Center (SDRC). Here’s everything you need to know about SDRC—what they do, who they serve, how they partner with UESL, and how you can get UESL approved as a vendor so you or your loved one can start benefiting from our gaming + technology programs as soon as possible.
What Is the San Diego Regional Center?
The San Diego Regional Center is a nonprofit organization contracted by California’s Department of Developmental Services. Since 1971, SDRC has acted as the single point of coordination for services and supports for individuals with IDD across San Diego County. Through assessment, service planning, and purchase of services, SDRC makes sure every participant has access to the resources they need to thrive—from early intervention for toddlers to independent living supports for adults.
Who Do They Serve?
SDRC serves people of all ages who meet California’s definition of a developmental disability. That includes individuals diagnosed with:
Cerebral palsy
Autism spectrum disorder
Epilepsy
And other intellectual + developmental disabilities
By providing a single point of entry for assessments and funding, SDRC empowers families and guardians to choose from a wide range of services—such as behavioral therapy, speech + occupational therapy, employment supports, residential programs, respite care, and assistive technology.
More than just a funder, SDRC acts as a community hub and advocate. Their service coordinators:
Build individualized plans based on each person’s unique strengths, goals + challenges
Guide families through the maze of available supports and approvals
Facilitate partnerships with schools, healthcare providers, nonprofit agencies + community organizations
Through outreach events, trainings and resource fairs, SDRC fosters collaboration across agencies—helping ensure that San Diego’s IDD community is connected, informed + empowered.
How SDRC + UESL Partner to Support IDD Gamers
The Unified Esports League (UESL) shares SDRC’s commitment to meaningful, person‑centered supports. As an approved SDRC vendor, UESL offers:
Utilize the positive aspects of technology and gaming to enhance social emotional well being through the development of friendships, team building, and community engagement.
Utilize all of the positive aspects of team sports and gaming to help our clients develop important life skills such as communication, collaborating with others, critical thinking, and problem solving.
Improve physical health and well being through curriculum in healthy posture, nutrition, exercise and more. Healthy body = healthy mind = good gamer.
Help people explore and cultivate their passion for gaming, esports, and technology.
Because UESL is vendorized through SDRC, families can use their funds to enroll in UESL’s gaming + technology programs—at no cost to the families.
What It Means to Be an SDRC‑Approved Vendor
Becoming an SDRC‑approved vendor is more than a badge—it’s a rigorous process that ensures quality, safety + accountability. Vendors must:
Complete a vendor application packet, including proof of liability insurance, background checks + relevant credentials
Agree to service standards outlined by the Department of Developmental Services, including policies on confidentiality + incident reporting
Demonstrate fiscal responsibility, by submitting rates, billing procedures + a W‑9 for invoicing SDRC
For families, vendor approval means peace of mind—knowing that any agency on the approved list has met state standards and is authorized to provide funded services.
How to Authorize UESL with Your SDRC Service Coordinator
Connect with Your Service Coordinator
Let them know you’re interested in enrolling in gaming + technology education with UESL.Your service coordinator will need the vendor code for the location that you are interested in joining, please provide them with the appropriate vendor code.
Ramona - PY3179
Poway - PY2815
Rancho Bernardo - PY3161
El Cajon - PY2939
Encinitas - PY3456
Bonsall - PY3440
El Centro - PY3660
San Marcos - PY3674
Provide your service coordinator with the number of days per week you would like to attend. PLEASE NOTE, we encourage asking for an authorization of 5 days per week even if you only plan to attend fewer days. Many of our clients want to attend more frequently as they become more comfortable in the program, this authorization up front allows more flexibility for increasing frequency if desired in the future. If this is not requested up front, increase in days has to go through a full authorization process and can take 4-6 weeks.
Please provide your service coordinator with an example of how you believe this program will help the client to reach their goals. Some examples included below:
Improve physical health and wellness
Increased engagement in the community
Increased social emotional skills: communication, collaboration, emotional regulation, self advocacy, etc.
Increased social community, making friends, playing on a team, collaborating with others, etc.
Future exploration, exploring the passion in the industries of gaming and technology
Once completed, your service coordinator will send an agreement to you that must be signed in order to move things forward. Please keep an eye out for this agreement and sign it as soon as possible.
Overall the authorization process can take 4-6 weeks (we have found that regular follow-up emails to your service coordinator to check on status can help the process along), what UESL needs is PROGRAM MANAGER APPROVAL. Once this has been attained, UESL will send a welcome email to you and your family with intake materials to be completed. Once these are completed, we will establish an official start date and get you started in our program!
If you have any questions or need support navigating the approval process, our team is here to help. Reach out to us here and we’ll walk you through every step.
By partnering with SDRC, UESL is proud to offer accessible, life‑changing gaming and technology programs that empower individuals with IDD to build confidence, community + real‑world skills. Let’s level up, together—one game at a time.
Visit www.sdrc.org to check out the San Diego Regional Center!
