Self-Determination Program
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
To participate in the Self-Determination Program, a person with a developmental disability must:
- Be a regional center consumer, and
- Agree to the following specified in the law:
- Attend an orientation to the Self-Determination Program
- Use Self-Determination Program funds only when generic services are not available
- Only purchase services necessary to implement the Individual Program Plan
- Manage services and supports within an individual budget
- Use a Financial Management Services provider
Consumers residing in a developmental center may be eligible for the Self-Determination Program if they are expected to transition to the community within 90 days.
Participants do not have to be in the Medi-Cal program.
GETTING STARTED
Anyone who would like to join the Self Determination Program (SDP) is required to complete the SDP orientation process to participate in the program.
Effective April 1, 2026, the SDP Orientation will consist of two required two-hour sessions. Part A must be completed before Part B, and both must be finished prior to SDP enrollment. Individuals who completed the State Council on Developmental Disabilities (SCDD) SDP orientation before April 1, 2026, or who are already enrolled in the SDP, are not required to retake it but may do so voluntarily.
Once both Part A and B of the SCDD SDP Orientation are completed, please send your certificate of completion to your WRC Service Coordinator to initiate the next steps in enrolling in the SDP.
To start the SDP orientation, please visit: https://scdd.ca.gov/sdp-orientation/
If you have questions or concerns regarding the orientation or other aspects of the SDP, please contact your Service Coordinator. If you are not sure who your Service Coordinator is, or need support connecting with WRC, please reach out to SDP Unit Assistant, Anthony Davis, who can direct you to the best point of contact.