Clients & families
What is Self-Determination?
Self-determination is a new way to imagine, plan, and live. It offers more authority over what services you buy, what those services look like, and how much you pay. It’s an opportunity to think outside the box and be creative! What do you want your life to look like, and what do you need to make that happen?
Whether you choose regional center providers or find your own, Self-Determination means YOU are in the driver’s seat.
Is the Self-Determination Program (SDP) for you?
PHASE 1
Attend Self-Determination Program Orientation
PHASE 2
Create your Person-Centered Plan
Agree on your Individual Budget
PHASE 3
Develop Services & Spending Plan
Select your FMS & Service Provider
PHASE 4
Hold SDP PCT IPP Meeting
PHASE 5
Start Services with the Self-Determination Program!
Are you ready to enroll?
Take a look at our SDP Orientation Options!
Complete the Self-Determination orientation by selecting OPTION 1 OR OPTION 2. Choose the option that works best for you.
OPTION 1:
Orientation led by SDRC (two parts)
Part 1: Register for an SDRC LEAP account and complete the required online training. The course will provide you with an overview of the program.
LEAP is a learning management system (LMS) used by all regional centers and stands for Learning and Education for All Professionals.
Part 2: Attend a 90-minute live session with your SDRC team. After you register for your LEAP account, you’ll receive the registration information for the live session.
OPTION 2:
Orientation led by SCDD
Complete Module 1: Self-Determination Program Orientation from the State Council on Developmental Disabilities (SCDD). The orientation and training are open to all participants and families interested in SDP.
Click here to access the SCDD website. Scroll down to the SDP Orientation Registration section and click on “click here to view the full calendar.”
Select the training date that works best for you. A window of information will pop up. Click on the Registration Link to sign up for the training.
Learn About the San Diego Local SDP Advisory Committee
The Local Self-Determination Advisory Committees (SDACs) ensure that the Self-Determination Program principles and legal requirements are followed. It is made up of the chairs from 21 local self-determination advisory committees and a member of the council. Each regional center has a local chapter. The committee aims to provide advice and suggestions on continually improving the Self-Determination Program to work better for you.
The San Diego Chapter meets on the 1st Thursday of every month and alternates between mornings and evenings. The meetings are open to the public.
The meeting agenda will be posted below before the meeting, and the date, time, and location will be listed. Currently, all meetings are held via Zoom. Meeting minutes are posted as they are approved. If you need translation, please email us at sdp@sdrc.org at least 72 hours before the meeting and indicate your language.
Interested in serving on the committee?
Join us for the Zoom Meeting!
Thursday, November 7 at 10:00 am and
Thursday, December 5 at 5:00 pm
Follow the link below to join ZOOM meeting:
Please note that the Local Advisory Committee meeting is not the official SDP Orientation. If you are looking for the orientation, click HERE
Check out the testimonials from some of our SDP Participants
The Self-Determination Program Team Charter
Established 8/30/23
We are the Self-Determination Team of the San Diego Regional Center. Although we work in different departments and play different roles, we share common goals to work collaboratively with each other and our community partners to identify ways to improve the program for everyone involved, to provide information and guidance to internal and external stakeholders, and to increase access for all members of our community.
We recognize that we have the ability to affect change, and that we are at the forefront of the future of service provision. As a team, we support freedom of choice and embrace positive change. We find great joy in making a difference in people’s lives, and building relationships within our community.
We celebrate our partnerships with those receiving SDP services and their families. We achieve our mission when we learn about the amazing things people are doing that they may not have accomplished outside of SDP. We still have barriers to overcome and improvements to make, such as developing more resources, improving outreach, access, and efficiency, and the continued development of the SDP infrastructure to support the growing number of enrollments. We will accomplish this with teamwork, a proactive approach, training (both internally and externally), and continued outreach.
We have the ability to improve communication and clarity, by serving as subject matter experts and continuing to share the most current information about the program with clients, families, staff, and community partners. We will be accessible to those who need us, to help navigate the program. We will live by example, to show others what it means to truly be person-first, to ‘think outside the box,’ to engage in ethical practices, and to reflect the mission and values of the San Diego Regional Center in our work.
We are here to support, collaborate, problem-solve, and do everything in our power to see people thrive. We strive to help clients and families create a vision of a more meaningful life, and to realize it through the Self Determination Program.
Information You Need to Know
Person-Centered Planning: Creating a Person-Centered Plan is important in preparing for a self-determined life. While we don’t know yet if funding will be available to help you develop your plan, you can find staff/ agencies available to discuss Person-Centered Planning services with future Self-Determination Participants.
Click here to see the list of providers. Select the 024 (PCP) tab at the bottom of the spreadsheet.
Person-centered practices are philosophies and procedures for individuals with developmental disabilities that allow them to share their experiences, wants, needs, hopes, dreams, and goals in a safe and positive setting.
Want to learn more? Click here.
A Financial Management Service (FMS): Financial Management Services help participants manage their budgets and spending plans. The FMS does not control the budget or spending plan. The FMS supports participants by paying for the services they choose. FMS is a required service for SDP participants. Here is a list of the FMS agencies that San Diego Regional Center partners with. DDS FMS contact list
Independent Facilitator: An independent facilitator is a person who can help you identify and coordinate your service purchases, determine immediate needs, advocate on your behalf, and help you make informed decisions.
If a participant chooses to hire an independent facilitator, the cost for this service is negotiated between the facilitator and the participant and is paid from the participant’s individual budget.
Click here to see the list of providers. Select the 099 (SDS) tab at the bottom of the spreadsheet.
Services: You may use your Self-Determination budget for a variety of services. SDP allows you to choose the services and supports that best meet your needs and IPP objectives. In addition to choosing existing services, you can select services offered by service providers or local businesses, hire your own support workers, or negotiate unique service arrangements with local community resources.
Check out the variety of services and the DDS definitions here:
Services/ Codes
DDS Service Definitions
For more information about SDP, visit DDS’s frequently asked questions.
Additional Information
Self-determination has rules and regulations just like any other service system in California. Want to see for yourself? Check out the program information from the Department of Developmental Services here.
Below are links to some of the resources on the DDS website and other valuable information.
Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) – CA Department of Developmental Services
Self-Determination Program (SDP) – CA Department of Developmental Services
Self-Determination Statute (Lanterman Act)
Self-Determination Waiver Application
Self-Determination Program Directives
Self-Determination Program: Service Provider Background Checks
Initial Person-Centered Plan (024) and General Self-Directed Supports (099) Invoicing Instructions
Initial Person-Centered Plan (024) and General Self-Directed Supports (099) Invoice
Local Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
April 30, 2020
February 7, 2020
January 3, 2020
November 22, 2019
October 30, 2019
September 27, 2019
August 29, 2019
July 19, 2019
June 25, 2019
May 28, 2019
April 30, 2019
March 15, 2019
January 11, 2019