What is the Self-Determination Program (SDP)?
The California statewide Self-Determination Program is a voluntary alternative to the traditional way of providing regional center services. The SDP is being developed by the Department of Developmental Services to allow participants to have more control over selecting their services and supports. One of the ways this can be done is by giving participants (or their parents or legal representatives) a specific budget to purchase the services and supports that they need to make their person-centered plan work better for them. Participants may choose their services and pick which providers deliver those services. Participants are responsible for staying within their annual budget.
The program has five principles that are part of the law:
- Freedom (to plan a good life) – to have the same rights as everyone, to choose family and friends that can help, where you want to live, how you want your time to be spent, and who supports you
- Authority (over your personal resources) – You have a budget, and you get to decide exactly what to spend that money on in order to reach your goals.
- Support (for building a life in the community) – to choose what you need to meet your personal goals and hire people that will help you live the life you want in your community
- Responsibility (and pride in making your own decisions) – to be accountable for your budget and the way money is spent
- Confirmation (of the important role you play) – In the Self-Determination program, you play a critical role as the person who makes decisions. You and your family get to choose the services and supports that will help you accomplish the goals in your IPP.
For more information, visit the DDS Self-Determination Program Home Page or click here to read WRC’s Self-Determination Local Advisory Committee “Your Life, Your Way” presentation.
How is the SDP different than my current service coordination?
The way the Self-Determination Program works is different than the way services are delivered right now. The thing that makes self-determination so exciting is that it gives you flexibility in choosing your services, supports, and providers. In the Self-Determination Program, you can buy different services, not just those through the regional center.
The program offers a lot of flexibility. Services can include, but aren’t limited to: individual training; vehicle adaptations; or support with communication. Your services and supports can be from almost anyone in the community. Right now, your Service Coordinator from the regional center is the person who helps you find the services you need.
In self-determination, you get to decide who else you want to help you. This could be your family or friends, or an Independent Facilitator. There will be money in a budget and you will choose which services and supports to have to meet your goals.
Self-Determination offers you the opportunity to be creative, think outside the box, and make your own plan for how you want to live. For more information, visit the DDS Self-Determination Program Home Page or view WRC’s Self-Determination Local Advisory Committee calendar.
SDP Eligibility
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.
Self Determination Local Advisory Committee
The committee reviews the development and ongoing progress of the Self Determination Program, including whether the program advances the principles of self determination and is operating consistent with the requirements of this section, and may make ongoing recommendations for improvement to the regional center and the department.
This meeting is held on the last Wednesday of each month at Westside Regional Center from 6:00-8:00 pm. All are welcome to attend these meetings. Click here to find the next meeting take place.
You are invited to join us for our monthly meeting of Westside Regional Center’s Self-Determination Local Advisory Committee. To keep everyone healthy and safe, we will be meeting by Zoom. We have invited many interested individuals from around the state who may want to join us as well.
HOW TO JOIN THE ZOOM MEETING:
By Computer
Click the link to launch the meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88477472868?pwd=MWhLVHV0aVhQNC90U1AzeVNkd3Bodz09
Password: 54321
Note: if you have never used Zoom before on your computer, you should go in beforehand to download the app at zoom.us
By cell phone or tablet/iPad WITH video: You must download the Zoom app (available by clicking here). At the time of the meeting, go into the app and click on “Join.”
Meeting ID: 884 7747 2868
Password: 54321
By cell phone with NO video:
One tap mobile:
+16699006833,,88477472868#,,,,0#,,54321# US (San Jose)
+12532158782,,88477472868#,,,,0#,,54321# US (Tacoma)
Everyone will be muted upon entering the meeting. To speak, you will need to raise your hand using the button at the bottom of the screen. You will be called upon by the chair to speak and she will unmute your line. Please remember that if you are using the video, that we are seeing you. You can turn off the video at any time.
If a self-advocate needs support in using Zoom for this meeting, please reach out to your service coordinator who can help.
We look forward to seeing you all. Stay safe.
Implementation Updates
Updates on the status of the program will be posted to the DDS page as they become available by clicking here . If you want to be notified when updates are made, please email sdp@dds.ca.gov and ask to be included on the notification list.