Regional centers often consider whether a requested service is cost-effective. Cost-effective does not mean cheapest, and it does not mean the regional center can deny a needed service simply because it costs money. The better question is whether the requested service is reasonably connected to the person’s disability-related needs and IPP goals, whether it actually meets the need, whether less costly options would also meet the need, and whether other funding sources have been explored when they are legally responsible for the service. People are more likely to win their cases when their requests includes specific information about the service they want, the provider, the cost, why the service is needed, and why available alternatives are inadequate.