The California Department of Developmental Services (DDS) Self-Determination Program (SDP) is a voluntary alternative to traditional regional center services. It gives eligible individuals and their families an individual budget to exercise greater freedom, control, and flexibility in choosing and purchasing the specific supports they need to achieve their Individual Program Plan (IPP) goals.
Key Features of SDP
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Individual Budget: Participants control a set budget based on their historical regional center costs to purchase necessary services and supports.
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Vendor Flexibility: You are not limited to traditional regional center vendors. You can hire your own support workers or purchase from non-vendorized community providers.
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Person-Centered Planning: The support plan is uniquely designed around the individual's personal needs and community inclusion goals. E
Eligibility
The program is available to any individual who:
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Is eligible for regional center services.
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Is 3 years of age or older.
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Lives in the community (or is in a long-term care facility but actively transitioning to a community setting).
How to Get Started
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Take the Required Orientation: Before you can begin the process, you must complete the mandatory SDP Orientation (consisting of Part A and Part B). These are free, live, or online trainings hosted by the State Council on Developmental Disabilities (SCDD). https://scdd.ca.gov/sdp-orientation/
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Request to Enroll: Once you receive your orientation certificate, contact your local regional center Service Coordinator to declare your intent to transition into the SDP.
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For further guidance, resources, and materials, you can visit the DDS Self-Determination Program homepage or review your local regional center’s dedicated SDP portal.
https://www.dds.ca.gov/initiatives/sdp/
CA Regional Centers
https://www.altaregional.org/self-determination-program
https://www.cvrc.org/self-determination-program/
https://www.elarc.org/People-We-Serve/Self-Determination
https://www.farnorthernrc.org/clients/self-determination/
https://www.ggrc.org/self-determination-program/
https://www.harborrc.org/services/self-determination-program-sdp/
https://www.inlandrc.org/
https://kernrc.org/clients-families/self-determination-program/
https://lanterman.org/client-and-family-services/self-determination-program/
https://nbrc.net/services/self-determination-program/
https://www.nlacrc.org/consumers-families/self-determination-program/
https://rceb.org/clients/self-determination/
https://www.rcocdd.com/client-services/self-determination/
https://redwoodcoastrc.org/for-clients/self-determination/
https://www.sanandreasregional.org/clients/self-determination-program/
https://sclarc.org/
https://www.sdrc.org/sdp
https://www.sgprc.org/self-determination-program/
https://www.tri-counties.org/self-determination/
https://www.vmrc.net/individuals-families-served/self-determination-program/
https://westsiderc.org/about-the-program/
Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) allow Californians with developmental disabilities to receive care in their homes/communities rather than institutions, with federal approval for services through 2027. The Self-Determination Program (SDP) is a specific, person-centered HCBS delivery model providing individuals increased control over their budget and services, now available to all eligible regional center clients.
Key Aspects of HCBS and SDP
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HCBS Waiver: Provides services like supported living, transportation, and day services to individuals. The federal HCBS Final Rule requires that settings support full community integration.
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SDP Structure: Individuals receive a set budget to design their own services and choose their own service providers.
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Compliance: Services funded through SDP must meet the same federal HCBS settings rules regarding community inclusion.
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Expansion: The SDP is a voluntary alternative to traditional services, open to all regional center clients since July 1, 2021.
You can explore the DDS HCBS Initiative page
OTHER RESOURCES
https://sdp-resource-center.org/ (Disability Voices United)
https://rula.disabilityrightsca.org/rula-book/chapter-3-regional-centers/3-23-what-is-the-self-determination-program/
SUPPORTED DECISION-MAKING
While many parents are told that conservatorships are necessary to stay involved in their child’s life after they turn 18, this is not the case. There are many options for getting the support you need as you enter adulthood in California, including supported decision-making.
(Disability Voices United)
https://www.vcba.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/1-SDM-Agrmnt-Sam-H-2024.pdf
(Ventura County Bar Association)
All individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (I/DD) have the same rights to personal autonomy, liberty, freedom, and dignity as individuals without disabilities. Adults with I/DD are presumed to be competent and able to make their own decisions with and without support. The individual’s diagnosis and communication challenges should not be presumed as a lack of competency to make decisions.
Supported Decision-Making (SDM) is a tool that allows people with disabilities to retain their decision-making capacity by choosing supporters to help them make choices. A person using SDM selects trusted advisors, such as friends, family members, or professionals, to serve as supporters. The supporters agree to help the person with a disability understand, consider, and communicate decisions, giving the person with a disability the tools to make her own informed decisions.
https://www.dds.ca.gov/individuals-and-families/conservatorship/