If necessary, to avoid disruption of the service program, the department may directly operate a regional center during the interim period between the termination of its contract with one governing board and the assumption of operating responsibility by a regional center contract with another governing board. In no event shall the department directly operate a regional center program for longer than 120 days before contracting with a new governing board. The department may, if requested by the new governing board, continue to provide additional assistance to avoid disruption of the service program, until such time as the governing board has assumed full responsibility for the

operation of the program.