Mother and Child Talking

Overview

In October 2013, Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. signed into law the Self-Determination Program, which will provide consumers and their families with more freedom, control, and responsibility in choosing services and supports to help them meet objectives in their Individual Program Plan.

In the Welfare and Institutions Code Section 4685.8, the services and supports will be directed by a participant through person-centered planning, as they are designed to assist the participant in achieving personally defined outcomes in community settings that promote inclusion.

How is the Self Determination Program (SDP) different than the traditional program?

Self-determination provides flexibility in choosing your services, supports, and providers. In the Self Determination Program, you can buy different services from almost anyone in your community, not just those through the regional center. In the traditional program, 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 you want to help you. This can be your family, friends, or an Independent Facilitator. You will be given a budget and you will choose which services and supports to use to meet your goals.

For more information about traditional services and the Lanterman Act, please review our Getting Started brochure.

For a brief overview of how SDP works here at RCEB, please review our Self-Determination PowerPoint presentation to the community.

For details and questions about SDP, please visit the Department of Developmental Services’ (DDS) website.

Requirements to participate are:

  • Age 3+ and have an active status (not closed, or inactivated)
  • Only use funds to meet IPP goals
  • Only use funds when generic resources are not available
  • Only use funds on federally approved services
  • Use a vendored FMS agency

Steps to Getting Started with RCEB’s Self-Determination Program

If you are interested in choosing Self Determination as your service delivery model the first step is to attend a MANDATORY Orientation.

RCEB invites you to register for a State Council on Developmental Disabilities (SCDD) Self-Determination Program Orientation, available in multiple languages. Use their calendar to choose a date and register with the link provided. The Statewide Self-Determination Program Orientation is one (1) Module that is two (2) hours in length. Provide your Certificate to your Case Manager upon completion.

You will learn:

  • The definition of the Self-Determination Program​
  • Introduction to the Principles of Self-Determination​
  • Discuss the steps to join the Self-Determination Program​
  • Introduce key roles and parts of the Self-Determination Program​
  • Talk about the next steps

Self-Determination – Your Choice, Your Way


Advisory Committee

The RCEB Self-Determination Local Advisory Committee members have been chosen jointly by the State Council on Developmental Disabilities Bay Area Office and the Regional Center of the East Bay.

The committee meets on the first Monday of every month. 2024 Meeting Calendar


Troubleshooting in the Self-Determination Program

Please fill out this contact form for questions or additional support.


Department of Developmental Services Office of the SDP Ombudsperson

The Self-Determination Program (SDP) Ombudsperson assists regional center consumers and their families to participate in the SDP program.

Email: SDP.Ombudsperson@dds.ca.gov
Phone: (877) 658-9731


Resource Hub

Materials
Self Determination Program Service CodesLista de Codigos de Servicios de SDP - Spanish
Self Determination Program Service DefinitionsDefiniciones de Servicios de SDP - Spanish
Tarifas de FMS – Spanish
List of FMS (Financial Management Systems) – Vendor Numbers
Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Final Rule English
Hiring Service Providers EnglishContratando Proveedores – Spanish
How Spending Plan Changes Work
Templates
Spending Plan Template (09/2022)
PCP-Training Verification Form
Assessment On-Site (State Transition Plan) Non-Residential HCBS
HCBS Compliance Evaluation Form- SD
Samples
Spending Plan Sample_2021
Resources
RCEB understands the importance of choice, you may visit the SDP Network page (thecasdpnetwork.org) to search for, interview, and select a Person Centered Planner, Pre-enrollment Support, Independent Facilitator, or even other providers. Notify your Case Manager when you have identified a Person Centered Planner or Pre-Enrollment Support.
Generic Resources SDP EnglishGeneric Resources Spanish.