So, What Exactly Is the Self-Determination Program?

If you’re hearing about SDP for the first time, you’re in the right place. Let’s break it down.

The Self-Determination Program (SDP) is a different way to receive services through California’s Regional Center system. Instead of the Regional Center choosing your providers and deciding how services are delivered, SDP puts those decisions in your hands.

Here’s the big idea: you receive an individualized budget based on your assessed needs, and you decide how to spend it. You choose your service providers, you set your schedule, and you build a support team that actually fits your life — not the other way around.

SDP is authorized under California law (Welfare & Institutions Code §4685.8) and funded through Medi-Cal. It’s not a separate system — it’s simply a different way of using the same Regional Center funding you may already receive.

How Is SDP Different from What You’re Used To?

Traditional Services Self-Determination (SDP) More flexibility
Who picks your providers? Regional Center assigns vendored providers You choose — including non-vendored providers and even qualified family members
Budget visibility You may not know your total budget You receive a clear, individualized budget
Scheduling Provider sets the schedule You set the schedule
Flexibility Services must fit existing vendor offerings Services are designed around your goals
Your team Service Coordinator manages your plan You lead your team, with support from an IF and FMS
Who picks your providers?
Traditional Regional Center assigns vendored providers
SDP You choose — including non-vendored providers and even qualified family members
Budget visibility
Traditional You may not know your total budget
SDP You receive a clear, individualized budget
Scheduling
Traditional Provider sets the schedule
SDP You set the schedule
Flexibility
Traditional Services must fit existing vendor offerings
SDP Services are designed around your goals
Your team
Traditional Service Coordinator manages your plan
SDP You lead your team, with support from an IF and FMS
The short version: SDP doesn't give you more money — it gives you more say in how the money that's already there gets used.

Is SDP the Right Fit for Your Family?

SDP isn’t for everyone — and that’s completely okay. It works best for families who want a more hands-on role in shaping their services. Here are some signs it might be worth exploring:

This might be a great fit if:

  • You’ve felt limited by your provider options or frustrated by rigid scheduling
  • You want to hire people who truly get your family — bilingual staff, culturally matched providers, or even qualified family members
  • Your current services don’t quite match your goals or day-to-day life
  • You’d love more visibility into how your funding is being spent
  • You’re comfortable taking on more responsibility if it means more flexibility

It might not be the right time if:

  • You’re happy with how things are going right now
  • You’d rather the Regional Center handle coordination
  • The idea of managing a budget and team feels like too much (though an Independent Facilitator can take a lot of that off your plate)

Who Can Join?

The eligibility requirements are pretty straightforward. To participate in SDP, you need to:

  1. Be an active client of a California Regional Center
  2. Be age 3 or older
  3. Live in the community (not in a state-operated facility or institution)
  4. Complete the required SDP orientation
  5. Agree to use a Financial Management Service (FMS) to manage your budget

And that’s really it. There’s no lottery or waitlist anymore — SDP is open to all eligible Regional Center consumers across California.

Key Terms You’ll Want to Know

New to SDP? The acronyms can feel like alphabet soup. Here are the ones that come up the most — and what they actually mean:

Person-Centered Plan (PCP) Think of this as the heart of your SDP experience. It’s a plan built around your goals, your preferences, and your needs — not a checklist of whatever services happen to be available. You’ll build this together with your support team.

Independent Facilitator (IF) Your guide through the SDP process. An IF helps you create your Person-Centered Plan, put together your spending plan, and make sure your services actually reflect what you want. They’re not technically required — but most families find having one makes a huge difference.

Financial Management Service (FMS) This is the one vendor you’re required to have in SDP. Your FMS takes care of payroll, taxes, billing, and budget tracking — so you can focus on the services, not the paperwork. There are different FMS models to choose from, and your IF can help you pick the right one.

Individualized Budget Your spending allocation, calculated by your Regional Center based on your purchase-of-service history (typically the last 12 months) plus any documented unmet needs or changes in circumstance.

Spending Plan A detailed plan showing how you’ll use your budget across the year. This is reviewed and approved as part of your Individual Program Plan (IPP).

Looking for an IF? The California Self-Determination Program Network keeps a directory of Independent Facilitators by region. Head to CalSDP.org to find one near you.

I am ready, what next?

Each Regional Center may have slightly different instructions, but the general steps are the same statewide. Here’s what the process usually looks like:

Step 1: Talk to Your Service Coordinator

This is your starting point. Let your Regional Center know you’re interested in joining the Self-Determination Program (SDP). They’ll walk you through what to expect and help you understand how the transition works. No commitment at this stage — you’re simply letting them know you’d like to explore your options.

Step 2: Attend an SDP Orientation

Orientation is required and covers how your budget works, what supports are available, and what you’ll be responsible for. As of April 2026, it’s a two-part series (about two hours each) offered via Zoom by the State Council on Developmental Disabilities (SCDD). You’ll need both Certificates of Completion before you can enroll.

Sign Up for Orientation

Step 3: Build a Person-Centered Plan (PCP)

Define your goals and needs in a Person-Centered Plan. You can create it on your own or with help, but a qualified Independent Facilitator (IF) can make the process smoother. Your Regional Center can even fund IF support before you’re officially enrolled (Service Code 099).

Step 4: Choose an FMS and Set Up Your Budget

You’ll need to select a Financial Management Service (FMS) to handle your budget and pay your staff. This is the only vendor required in the Self-Determination Program. Your IF and FMS can help you create a spending plan that aligns with your goals and makes the most of your budget.

Step 5: Start Your Services

Once your Person-Centered Plan and budget are approved, you’re ready to begin! Choose the providers that best fit your needs — including trusted partners like Adaptive SDP for in-home and community-based supports.

> Complete Interest Form

Find Your Regional Center

Select your Regional Center to learn more about their Self-Determination Program.

Know Your Rights

As an SDP participant, you have the same rights as every Regional Center consumer — plus the added freedom to direct your own services. That means you have the right to:

  • Make your own decisions about where and how you live
  • Choose your service providers and your daily schedule
  • Be treated with dignity, respect, and privacy
  • Participate fully in your community on your terms
  • Access fair hearings and appeals if you disagree with a decision about your services

For the full list of consumer rights, visit the DDS Consumer Rights page.

A Few Things Worth Knowing

SDP is always your choice. You can join or leave at any time. Just know that if you leave, there may be a 12-month waiting period before you can come back.

Other funding sources come first. Your SDP budget can’t cover services that are available through school districts, Medi-Cal, or private insurance. This isn’t unique to SDP — it’s how all Regional Center services work.

Some changes are on the horizon. Assembly Bill 143 (signed in 2025) includes new provisions — DDS is working to define “cost effective” for SDP spending plans by August 2026, and to create more consistent policies across all Regional Centers by March 2027. These changes are still being shaped with community input, so your voice matters. Stay connected through your local Self-Determination Advisory Committee and the resources below.

You’re part of a community. One of the best things about SDP is the network of families who’ve been through it. People share experiences, ask questions, and advocate together through local advisory committees and online groups. You don’t have to figure this out alone.

Helpful Resources

Here are the links we recommend most to families exploring SDP:

Official State Resources

Community Resources

From Adaptive SDP

  • Our Services — Learn about the support we provide for SDP participants
  • Getting Started — Ready to begin services with us?
  • FAQs — Common questions about working with Adaptive SDP