Self-Determination is a voluntary service delivery system offered by the California Regional Center system to most individuals served by Regional Centers as of July 2021.

No. Participation in the Self-Determination Program is completely voluntary. It is your choice which service delivery system, traditional or Self-Determination, you want to be part of. You can choose the option that best fits your needs and goals

Before July 2021, the Self-Determination Program was only available to a limited number of people selected through a lottery. Today, it is open to most individuals served by Regional Centers.

To be eligible, a person must be receiving ongoing Regional Center services under the Lanterman Act. This typically includes individuals aged 3 and older, but some children under 3 may also qualify—such as those with conditions like Down Syndrome or Cerebral Palsy who have already been deemed eligible for ongoing services.

Participants must live in the community, which includes settings such as living with family, independently (with or without support), in a Community Care Facility (group home), Foster Home Agency (FHA) home, or DCFS foster home. People cannot participate in SDP if they reside in a Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF), Intermediate Care Facility (ICF), or an institution (such as a developmental center or institution for mental disease)—unless they have a plan to move into the community within 90 days. This is because SDP is part of a federal Medicaid waiver designed to help people stay in the least restrictive environment.

Participation in Self-Determination is voluntary. The participant or their legal representative must choose to enroll. Importantly, this choice is not permanent—you can try SDP and return to traditional services if it’s not the right fit. However, switching back and forth isn’t immediate; there is a formal process and time frame for making that change.

The Self-Determination Program (SDP) offers more flexibility than traditional services—but it’s not without rules. All services must still follow the law and certain policies. For example, services must help meet goals outlined in the participant’s Individual Program Plan (IPP), and they can only be funded if no generic resource is available. Just like in the traditional system, programs like IHSS (In-Home Supportive Services) must still be used for personal care, schools are still responsible for education, and families are expected to meet typical parental responsibilities. Some services also have age-related or other eligibility requirements, which can be reviewed individually.

One of the biggest benefits of SDP is that participants are not limited to vendored providers—those already contracted with the Regional Center. They can still choose to use vendored providers, but they also have the freedom to work with others, as long as those providers meet certain basic criteria.

There is one required vendor: the Financial Management Service (FMS) provider. Every participant must use an FMS to handle the budget, pay providers, and ensure taxes and employment rules are followed. Participants and families do not handle the money directly, and reimbursements are not allowed—all payments must go through the FMS. You can learn more about the available FMS models and their responsibilities here: Visit DDS FMS Information Site

Finally—and importantly—all participants must attend a mandatory orientation before doing anything else. This orientation explains the program in detail. Attending it does not commit you to enrolling in the program.

Participating in the Self-Determination Program (SDP) is entirely voluntary—the decision must be made by the participant or their legal guardian. However, choosing SDP doesn’t mean you’re locked in forever. If at any point it doesn’t feel like the right fit, you can return to the traditional service system. That said, switching back and forth isn’t immediate or automatic, there is a required process and waiting period to transition between the two systems.

In general, a participant or their legal representative will need to:

1. Attend a mandatory orientation offered by their local Regional Center or the State Council for Developmental Disabilities.

2. Complete a Person-Centered Plan (optional but highly recommended).

3. Complete a new Individual Program Plan (IPP) specific to Self-Determination services. (Each Regional Center has their own IPP timeline.) 

4. Receive an approved budget outlining the funding available for services for one year.

5. Develop a spending plan detailing how the budget will be used to achieve goals from the IPP.

6. Secure a Financial Management Service (FMS) provider to manage the funds.

7. Ensure all is set up: signed spending plan accessible to the FMS, staff onboarding completed (including background checks if needed), and any other providers in place.

8. Begin Self-Determination services at the start of a month.

The timeline for transitioning into the Self-Determination Program can vary depending on individual circumstances and the specific Regional Center involved. While it’s not guaranteed, it typically takes at least four to twelve months from the time the Person-Centered Plan is completed. Delays may occur if there are disagreements with the Regional Center about services, if assessments are still needed, or if your chosen Financial Management Service (FMS) has a waitlist.

Not necessarily. Future Is Now Facilitation can support you in advocating for and requesting additional traditional Regional Center services while you’re transitioning into the Self-Determination Program. However, it’s important to understand that some services are only available through Self-Determination and cannot be accessed while still in the traditional system. If you choose to pay out of pocket for those Self-Determination-only services before officially enrolling, you likely won’t be reimbursed for them.

Most Self-Determination Program (SDP) transitional services, including Person-Centered Planning and pre-enrollment support, are funded by the Regional Center, meaning participants should not have any out-of-pocket costs for these services.

Once a participant enters the Self-Determination Program, ongoing support from an Independent Facilitator is paid for by the Financial Management Service (FMS) using funds from the participant’s individual budget. However, it’s important to note that the budget cannot be increased to cover the cost of an Independent Facilitator, so this support must be planned for within the existing budget.

Navigating the Regional Center system can be complex and overwhelming, especially when participating in the relatively new Self-Determination Program. An Independent Facilitator (IF) serves as a trusted guide and advocate throughout this process, supporting participants and their families every step of the way.

An IF helps you understand your rights and options, clarifies how the Self-Determination Program works, and ensures you are informed to make the best decisions. They assist in interpreting the individual budget, breaking down what the funds mean and how to use them effectively to meet your goals.

One of the IF’s key roles is helping develop a personalized spending plan that aligns with your Individual Program Plan and your unique preferences, needs, and priorities. They coordinate with your Regional Center, Financial Management Services (FMS), and support providers, making sure everyone is working together smoothly.

Beyond these tasks, an IF advocates on your behalf to resolve challenges or disagreements with service providers or the Regional Center.

Having an Independent Facilitator by your side can empower you to take greater control over your services, reduce stress, and improve your overall experience with the Self-Determination Program, helping you turn your vision for your life into reality.

Services are tailored to each individual’s unique needs, so not every service is available to all participants or families. The specific supports and services that apply to you or your loved one will be determined through the Person-Centered Planning process, the Individual Program Plan (IPP) meeting, and the development of the spending plan. Similar to traditional services, the Regional Center acts as the “payer of last resort,” meaning that all generic resources (those not funded by the Regional Center) must be used first before the Regional Center will consider paying for a service.

The budget is the total amount of money you’re approved to use for the year.
Think of it like your bank account for the program. It’s based on what the Regional Center spent on your services in the past 12 months, adjusted for any new needs.

The spending plan is how you decide to use the money in your budget, ensuring you follow the rules of what is allowable and what is not.  
It’s a detailed list that shows what services, supports, or items you’ll spend the money on, and how much each one costs.

Example:

If the Regional Center approved $45,000 for your services, that’s your annual budget in SDP.

From your $45,000 budget, your spending plan might include:

• $30,000 for four employees

• $3,000 for independent facilitation

• $8,000 for three different social recreation classes 

• $2,000 for summer camp

• $2,000 for transportation: Lyft and mileage reimbursement for employees

A participant or family member interested in the Self-Determination Program will not be charged for the initial consultation meeting. However, for Person-Centered Planning specifically, if the participant or family decides to continue with Future Is Now Facilitation’s services, they may see that the consultation is included on the invoice submitted to the Regional Center. This is because the initial meeting also serves as a “pre-planning meeting,” which is a vital part of the Person-Centered Planning process. Including it on the invoice reflects the full scope and steps involved in Person-Centered Planning.