Self-Determination Program
California’s Self-Determination Program (SDP) provides people served by regional centers – individuals with autism, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, intellectual disabilities, and other developmental disabilities – with more control and flexibility over the services and supports they need. Self-determination is a different way to get Regional Center services that starts with conducting a Person-Centered Plan (PCP), agreeing on an individual budget, and developing a spending plan to purchase the services and supports needed to implement their PCP and Individual Program Plan (IPP). Participants may purchase services from traditional providers or identify individuals in their communities to help them meet their goals. Participants can hire an agency or hire support workers directly. Participants can also purchase items that help them meet their unique goals.
The SDP is based on a 1998 multi-year pilot project in which almost 200 individuals participated in a test of self-determination in five regional centers. The pilot program was a resounding success and, after many attempts, it finally expanded throughout California when the statewide Self-Determination Law passed in 2013.
The Self-Determination Program was phased in over three years. On October 1, 2018, DDS randomly selected the first 2,500 participants based on geographic and racial/ethnic diversity. On June 7, 2021, the program became available to all eligible individuals on a voluntary basis with no limit on the number of participants.
The Self-Determination Program is based on the five principles of Self-Determination
Freedom, which includes the ability of adults with developmental disabilities to exercise the same rights as all citizens; to establish, with freely chosen supporters, family, and friends, where they want to live, with whom they want to live, how their time will be occupied, and who supports them; and, for families to have the freedom to receive unbiased assistance of their own choosing when developing a plan and to select all personnel and supports to further the life goals of a minor child.
Authority, which includes the ability of a person with a disability, or family, to control a certain sum of dollars in order to purchase services and supports of their choosing.
Support, which includes the ability to arrange resources and personnel, both formal and informal, that will assist a person with a disability to live a life in his or her community that is rich in community participation and contributions.
Responsibility, which includes the ability of participants to take responsibility for decisions in their own lives and to be accountable for the use of public dollars, and to accept a valued role in their community through, for example, competitive employment, organizational affiliations, spiritual development, and general caring of others in their community.
Confirmation, which includes confirmation of the critical role of participants and their families in making decisions in their own lives and designing and operating the system that they rely on.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the program, you or your family member must:
- Have a developmental disability and currently be receiving services from a California regional center OR be a new client of a regional center
- Be over the age of three or, if under, be qualified for services through the Lanterman Act
- Live in the community and have free choice in your life. You are not eligible if you live in a licensed long-term healthcare facility unless you are using the SDP to transition from that facility.
You can continue to participate in the Self-Determination Program even if you move to another regional center. If you voluntarily choose to leave the Self-Determination Program, you can go back into the traditional regional center system, but you cannot return to the SDP for at least twelve months.
Key Terms to Know
Circle of Support – The circle of support is the group of people whom the SDP participant chooses and trusts to help them think about their person-centered plan and future. The circle should include unpaid natural supports like family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers. It can also include people paid to be in a person’s life, like staff, therapists, doctors, advocates, and others.
Financial Management Services (FMS) – The required vendored agency that pays your bills and staff and ensures all taxes are paid and other requirements are met.
Generic Resources – SDP participants, just like those in the traditional system, must try to get other resources to pay for their services first. These are called generic resources because they are available to others in the community regardless of whether they are part of a regional center. Examples of generic resources are Medi-Cal, school districts, and IHSS (In-Home Supportive Services).
Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Settings Rule – The federal rule requiring that all services funded by the regional center must allow full integration into the community and ensure that people have human rights and Dignity.
Independent Facilitator – The person or agency who assists the SDP participant in their person-centered planning, as well as with identifying service providers and staff, developing their spending plan, and advocating for them with their regional center.
Individual Budget – The amount of money provided by the regional center to implement your plan. The amount is decided by the IPP team and can be adjusted up or down because of a change in circumstances or unmet need.
Individual Program Plan (IPP) – The annual meeting with your regional center to decide your individual budget amount and discuss your spending plan.
Person-Centered Plan – The written document that results from the planning process that informs the person’s IPP goals and services and supports listed in the spending plan.
Person-Centered Planning – A process, directed as much as possible by the person, where they explore their hopes and dreams, surrounded by people they choose to be part of their circle of support. It is based on their strengths and life goals, and there is a presumption of competence for the person and inclusion in the community. The planning is usually done at one or more meetings with their circle and leads to their person-centered plan.
Spending Plan – The list of services, activities, and items you intend to purchase with your individual budget. Dollar amounts must be listed for each service, although the plan can be changed during the year.
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Resource: Think Outside the Box, published by Disability Voices United and Autism Society Los Angeles, January 2023 Edition
