The best way to explain the Self Determination Program is that it provides more flexibility on how the taxpayer funds are used. An example of flexibility of the SDP program is under traditional services regional center is only allowed to pay for a bus pass or Paratransit e.g. MTS Access, but under self determination these services are expanded to include Uber and Lyft.

Yes In California you need to be a regional center client to receive Self Determination Program Services. Regional Center is the primary organization that controls the SDP Program.

Yes in California if you have a child and they are under the age of 18 they can still enroll into the Self Determination Program, but please be aware that since your child is a minor your child's annual budget will be extremely lower than those in the adult unit of Regional Center since they are in school whether that is elementary, middle school or high school. The reason for this is because the school district in the eyes of the Federal Government, State Government and Regional Center is considered  a generic support, and the generic supports are supposed to be the primary funder for services. Extra Credit Tip!! The generic supports rule also applies to adults, but the generic supports are a bit different since he/she is an adult and not in elementary, middle school or high school.

Now if the school district doesn't cover the service or any other generic supports such as Medical Insurance even if the child is under the parents insurance do not cover the support then you can ask Regional Center to cover the service and/or services, but you will need to get a denial letter from the generic supports saying they do not cover the service. This is legal backup documentation for Regional Center to justify why they are covering the service and/or services.

The answer to this question is two-fold so we will break it down into sections.

• The person centered plan for adults ages 18 and up is like a resume. Where do you want to be 5, 10 or 15 years from now. An example would be "I want to be independently living on my own with support."

• The person centered plan for minors ages 17 and under and/or adults who have a legal guardian e.g. individuals who have a conservator. In this example the person to answer this question would be the parent/legal guardian or conservator would be where do you want your child/conservatee to be in 5,10, 15 years from now. For example "I want my child/conservatee to hold down a stable job with support". Again consider it like a resume of your future desires and dreams for their life.

Please Click Here to see an example of our Person Centered Plan (PCP) template.

This is one of the most confusing questions we get from our clients. Please watch the video our independent facilitator James put together to explain by Clicking Here.

If you are looking at enrolling into the SDP program you will hear the term FMS all the time, but what  is an FMS? The term FMS means Financial Management Services. The FMS is the company that controls the money on behalf of the regional center in the SDP program.

The first step to enroll is you need to notify your regional center service coordinator or SC for short that you want to enrolL The second step is to take a 2 hour orientation with Department of Developmental Services DDS via Zoom. Then wait for DDS to email you the certificate. You can book your desired orientation date from the available DDS schedule by Clicking Here.

The third step is to provide the certificate to your service coordinator and they will provide you with a list of SDP Independent Facilitators. We strongly urge you not to attempt the final stages of enrollment on your own. We have had clients and their families who come to us after they are pulling their hair out because they initially tried to do it on their own.

Your state might have an organization that provides SDP services, however we are not registered with other organizations outside of California to provide those services. We highly suggest you contact your local and/or state governing representatives to find out if SDP is offered in your area.

Yes under our traditional services you can still receive services from us even if you do not live in California.

Unfortunately, we do not offer services in other countries at this time.

If you have additional questions please send an email to James at sdp@jamescpf.org and he will be happy to respond. Please allow up to 3 business days for a response from James.