Your Self-Determination Program Journey
Participant & Family Resource Guide
The California Self-Determination Program (SDP) gives participants greater choice and control over the services and supports they receive. This guide is designed to help you understand the process, know what comes next, and keep useful information in one place.
Welcome
The California Self-Determination Program gives participants greater choice and control over the services and supports they receive. While the process can seem overwhelming at first, you do not have to navigate it alone.
As your Independent Facilitator, I am here to help you understand the process, organize information, answer questions, and support you in making informed decisions that reflect your goals and preferences.
This guide is intended to explain common terms, answer frequently asked questions, and help you prepare for each step of the process.
Verify locally: Some procedures vary by Regional Center. Confirm current requirements with your Service Coordinator, and confirm funding and authorization in writing before beginning Regional Center-funded services.
Questions?
We know the Self-Determination Program can feel overwhelming at first. We are happy to explain unfamiliar terms, discuss options, and help you understand each step. We look forward to working with you.
Your Self-Determination Program (SDP) Journey
Every participant's path is different, but these are the major steps you can expect as you move into the Self-Determination Program. Click each step to learn more.
01 Orientation Learn about SDP and decide whether to move forward
Before enrolling in the Self-Determination Program, the participant or authorized representative must complete the required SDP Orientation.
Your Checklist
- Register for SDP Orientation
- Complete Part A
- Complete Part B
- Keep your orientation completion information
- Let your Regional Center Service Coordinator know you want to continue
02 Individual Program Plan (IPP) Alignment Review the participant's goals, needs, services and supports before building the SDP plan
The Individual Program Plan (IPP) is the Regional Center planning document. Before developing the Individual Budget and Spending Plan, review the current IPP to make sure it reflects the participant's current goals, needs, circumstances, services and supports.
Your Checklist
- Review the current IPP
- Identify goals that need to be added or updated
- Identify unmet needs
- Document changes in needs, circumstances or resources
- Identify generic resources that may apply
- Discuss needed services and supports with the IPP team
- Review agreed-upon IPP updates carefully
03 Person-Centered Planning Explore how the participant wants to live and what supports the IPP goals
Person-Centered Planning focuses on the participant's strengths, preferences, relationships, needs, goals and vision for the future. A separate Person-Centered Plan is optional, but it can help organize ideas about how to support the goals identified in the IPP and can inform future planning discussions.
Topics We May Explore
- Strengths, interests and things others appreciate about the participant
- What is important to the participant
- What is important for the participant
- What is working and what is not working
- Circle of support
- A typical day and week
- Communication and support preferences
- Short-term and long-term goals
- Services, supports and resources that may be needed to support the goals identified in the IPP
04 Initial Individual Budget Determine the annual funding available for SDP
The Regional Center calculates and certifies the participant's initial Individual Budget. The budget represents the annual funding available to purchase eligible SDP services and supports.
Your Checklist
- Obtain the most recent 12 months of Purchase of Service authorizations
- Review continuing services and supports
- Identify services authorized by the IPP team that are not yet reflected in a Purchase of Service authorization
- Identify changes in needs, circumstances or resources
- Identify services the Regional Center will fund outside SDP
- Identify one-time expenses that should not continue
- Review the Regional Center's budget calculation
- Receive the certified Individual Budget
05 Spending Plan Decide how the Individual Budget will be used
The Spending Plan identifies the specific services and supports that will be purchased with the Individual Budget.
For Each Service, Identify
- The IPP goal or need it supports
- The appropriate SDP service and service code
- Who will provide the service
- How often the service will be provided
- The rate or cost
- Applicable employment costs when workers are employees
- The annual total
- Whether an appropriate generic resource is available first
The Spending Plan must remain within the certified Individual Budget. The Regional Center certifies that the services meet applicable SDP requirements.
06 Choose Your FMS Set up financial management for SDP
A Financial Management Service (FMS) is required in the Self-Determination Program. The FMS handles financial administration and, depending on the selected model, may also have payroll and employment responsibilities.
Your Checklist
- Review FMS providers available through your Regional Center
- Compare the FMS models that fit your needs
- Ask about onboarding timelines and procedures
- Ask how providers and workers are paid
- Review employer responsibilities if hiring employees
- Select an FMS
- Complete required FMS onboarding
07 Authorization & Enrollment Make sure the pieces are in place before services begin
Final Check
- Individual Budget is certified
- Spending Plan is finalized and certified
- FMS is selected and onboarding is complete
- Providers and employees are onboarded as applicable
- Required authorizations are confirmed
- SDP start date is confirmed
08 Your SDP Begins Put the plan into action
Once enrollment and authorizations are complete, services can begin according to the approved plan.
Keep Copies Of
- Person-Centered Plan, if one was developed
- Current IPP
- Certified Individual Budget
- Certified Spending Plan
- Regional Center authorizations
- FMS documents
- Provider and worker information
- Important Regional Center correspondence
09 Ongoing SDP Support Review, adjust and plan for the next year
SDP is an ongoing process. Goals, providers, needs and circumstances can change over time.
Review Regularly
- Progress toward IPP and Person-Centered Planning goals
- Budget use and FMS reports
- Whether current services are meeting the participant's needs
- Changes in needs, circumstances or resources
- Provider or staffing changes
- Updates needed to the Spending Plan
- Preparation for the next annual planning cycle
Need Help or Ready for a Check-In?
Whether you are just getting started or already participating in SDP, you can schedule a free 45-minute Family Services meeting with Lauren.
ZAZ also offers monthly FMS report review and organization, financial reviews, and office hours to review year-to-date spending, progress toward goals, and changes that may need attention.
Schedule a Meeting with LaurenSDP Resource Library
Official California resources to help you learn more, prepare for meetings and verify current requirements.
SDP Resources & Tools
California Department of Developmental Services (DDS) budget tools, service definitions, service codes, waiver information and other SDP resources.
Visit DDS Resources & ToolsSDP Orientation
Current statewide orientation information and registration through the State Council on Developmental Disabilities.
Visit SCDD OrientationFinancial Management Service (FMS) Providers
Find Financial Management Service providers available by Regional Center and review FMS model information.
View the DDS FMS ListSDP Directives
Current DDS directives governing SDP procedures, budgets, transition supports and related requirements.
View DDS DirectivesAppeals & Rights
Information about appealing Regional Center decisions, complaints and participant rights.
Visit DDS Appeals & ComplaintsCommunication Resources
California Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) Voice Options provides speech-generating technology to eligible Californians.
Visit DOR Voice OptionsFrequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to common questions families ask while navigating the Self-Determination Program.
Do I have to hire an Independent Facilitator (IF)?
No. Working with an Independent Facilitator is optional. A participant may choose an Independent Facilitator or may use their Regional Center Service Coordinator for functions that can be provided by the Service Coordinator.
Does my Independent Facilitator work for the Regional Center?
No. An Independent Facilitator is selected and directed by the participant. The Independent Facilitator can help the participant understand options, prepare for meetings, coordinate services and make informed decisions.
Decisions about Regional Center funding, eligibility, budgets and authorization remain with the Regional Center and the applicable planning process.
Can an Independent Facilitator guarantee Regional Center approval?
No. An Independent Facilitator can help you organize information, understand requirements, prepare requests and participate in planning discussions, but cannot guarantee approval of a service, budget request or other Regional Center decision.
Do I need a separate Person-Centered Plan?
No. A separate Person-Centered Plan is optional. The participant must still have an Individual Program Plan (IPP), and the planning process should be person-centered.
Many participants choose to develop a separate Person-Centered Plan because it can help organize strengths, preferences, goals, support needs and the participant's vision for the future.
Who pays for Independent Facilitator and transition services?
Payment depends on the service and where the participant is in the SDP process.
Regional Center funding is available for eligible initial Person-Centered Planning and pre-enrollment transition supports. Once enrolled in SDP, the cost of ongoing Independent Facilitator services, if used, is generally paid from the participant's Individual Budget and must be included appropriately in the Spending Plan.
What is a generic resource?
A generic resource is another publicly or privately funded service that may be responsible for meeting a particular need. Examples can include Medi-Cal, In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS), the California Department of Rehabilitation, school districts and private insurance.
SDP funds generally cannot be used for a service that is available through an applicable generic resource.
Can I change my Spending Plan during the year?
Yes. Current DDS guidance allows participants to request changes to their Spending Plan, including transfers between SDP service codes and budget categories during the current Individual Budget year.
Approval from the Regional Center or the participant's IPP team is required before applicable transfers are made.
Keep in mind that making changes to an approved Spending Plan can take time. The timeline may vary depending on the changes requested, whether an IPP team discussion or meeting is needed, and Regional Center staffing and workload. Plan ahead when possible and continue following the currently approved Spending Plan until the change has been finalized and authorized.
What can be included in my Spending Plan?
The Regional Center must certify that Spending Plan goods and services address the participant's IPP goals, are not available through an applicable generic resource, and meet applicable federal funding requirements.
The specific service should also fit within the applicable SDP service definition.
What if I disagree with a Regional Center decision?
If you disagree with a Regional Center decision, it can be helpful to first discuss the concern with your Service Coordinator and, if you use one, your Independent Facilitator. Keeping communication open may help clarify the issue, identify missing information, or determine whether another solution is possible.
The Self-Determination Program is designed to offer participants more freedom, choice and control than the traditional service system. That flexibility can sometimes create opportunities to explore different providers, supports or service arrangements that still meet the participant's Individual Program Plan goals and applicable SDP requirements.
If the disagreement cannot be resolved, appealing the decision is also an option. Participants in SDP retain the same appeal rights available to individuals receiving services through the traditional Regional Center system.
Depending on the issue, appeal options may include an informal meeting, mediation or a fair hearing.
Whenever possible, continue communicating with the Regional Center during the process so everyone has a clear understanding of the participant's needs, concerns and requested outcome.
View DDS Appeals & Complaints information
The DDS Ombudsperson can also provide information, explain rights and help improve communication when participants and families are having difficulty resolving an issue.
When can my SDP services begin?
Services should begin only after the required planning, Spending Plan, FMS and authorization steps are complete and the applicable start date has been confirmed.
Acronyms & Common Terms
SDP and disability-service language can feel like alphabet soup. Search below or browse the lists.
Self-Determination & Regional Center Acronyms
Special Education Acronyms
Common Terms
Working Together
Clear communication and collaboration help us make the most of the planning process.
What You Can Expect From Us
We will:
- Listen to your goals and priorities.
- Explain unfamiliar terms and processes.
- Respect your choices and decisions.
- Communicate honestly and professionally.
- Return routine communications as promptly as possible.
- Help you prepare for meetings and planning discussions.
- Maintain the confidentiality of your information.
What We Ask of You
Please:
- Participate in planning.
- Share information openly.
- Keep us informed of important changes.
- Review documents promptly.
- Ask questions whenever something is unclear.
- Give as much notice as possible if you need to reschedule an appointment.
Working together helps us provide the best possible support.
Documents That May Be Helpful
Depending on your situation, the following documents may be useful during planning. Not everyone will have all of these documents.
- Current Individual Program Plan (IPP)
- Previous Person-Centered Plan
- Purchase of Service (POS) Report
- Individual Budget
- Spending Plan
- Assessments
- Psychological Reports
- Regional Center correspondence
- Financial Management Service (FMS) information
It's hard being different. I got you!
Back in 2024, I wrote a LinkedIn post about the summer everything changed for me. I'm sharing part of it here to give you some insight into who I am and how I got here.
Getting laid off from Disney meant I could fully immerse myself in learning about autism and services for my son.
Although I was teary-eyed, the overwhelming feeling was relief.
Just before I was laid off, my four-year-old son was diagnosed with what turned out to be high-functioning autism.
So, for the next nine months, I invested my time and energy in learning how best to support him.
And because I am a process-oriented person at heart, I approached it just like I approach a job:
🗂️ Compiling a comprehensive list of resources to help us
📚 Learning from many people, but forming my own opinions
🔄 Understanding that his care needed to be adaptive,
not a "set it and forget it" situation
We took it slow, day by day.
As some of the services we tried started working, I was reminded of the need to regularly revisit goals and resources. Just like we do in business.
So now, every two to three years, I reassess and re-aim to make sure we're on the right path.
If you're in a transition or period of change in life or business, just like I was, remember:
→ Find experts who can support you
→ Have goals, but be open to changing the path there
Need Help Navigating Self-Determination?
Independent Facilitation and family support to help you understand the process, organize the details and move forward with greater clarity.
Whether you are just getting started or need help reviewing where things stand, you can schedule a free 45-minute Family Services meeting with Lauren.