SELF-DETERMINATION PROGRAM (SDP)

WHAT IS THE

SELF-DETERMINATION

PROGRAM?

This program gives you and your family more freedom, authority, and responsibility in choosing services and supports to meet the Individual Program Plan (IPP) goals. It gives families an individual budget to purchase the support and services your family needs to THRIVE! Regional Centers and the Department of Social Services collaborate to provide financial assistance to our families.

You Are the Decision Maker For Your Loved One’s Life.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

You and your IPP team work together to create your budget and spending plan, allowing you to choose and arrange your service providers. With your budget, you can purchase services from qualified providers, whether they are individuals, businesses, or vendored services. The services you select must meet the criteria for federal financial participation. To manage your budget, hire and pay staff, and ensure compliance with employment laws, you are required to use a vendored Financial Management Service Provider.

SERVICES + DEFINITIONS

BENEFITS

  • Parents have more choices in developing a service plan.

  • Authority over services, vendors, and spending plan. Participants can utilize services that may not have previously been available to.

    Parents can work directly with service providers to negotiate services and costs

  • Anyone can be part of your care team as long as the services align with the IPP goals. Service providers do not need to be approved vendors of the Regional Centers. Parents have the freedom to choose the services that are most meaningful.

  • You also have the option to employ individuals proficient in diverse languages, offering various rates and from different regions

WHERE DO I BEGIN?

  1. Attend & Complete Orientation: 90-minute live session with your SDRC team.

  2. Inform your regional center coordinator that you’re interested in starting the Self-Determination Program and have completed the orientation.

  3. Book a strategy session with me to start services as your Person-Center Planning + Independent Facilitator.

  4. Before we meet, get the PCP ready and prepare to begin the process to transition to from traditional services to the Self-Determination Program.

  5. To feel fully prepared, refer to SDP toolkit below.

REGISTER FOR ORIENTATION

THE PROCESS

SELF-DERTMINATION PROGRAM TOOLKIT

SELF-DETERMINATION PROGRAM FAQ’S

  • Self-determination is a life-changing service for recipients and a game-changer for the system.

  • Many people can!

    • The Autism Guide

    • Regional Center Service Coordinator

    • Financial Management Services Provider

    • Independent Facilitator

    • Self-Determination Team your regional center.

  • Self-Determination allows parents and participants to take the funds Regional Center would have spent and direct those funds to purchase the services that are truly needed and desired.

  • No, parents must develop a spending-plan, which must be certified by the Regional Center. In addition, the services in a participant’s spending-plan must support the goals outlined in the IPP.

    See how you can add a service dog into your child's care plan.

  • Yes, SDP requires participants to use an FMS. The basic duty of an FMS is to track and manage the budget, pay care providers, and pay for approved services and supports.

  • FMS services can be offered under 3 different models. To determine which FMS model is right for you, please review the model guide.