What is the Self Determination Program

The Self Determination Program, often called SDP, is a way to receive regional center services with much more choice and control. Instead of the regional center only buying services from their existing vendors, you receive an individual budget and direct how that budget is used to support your life and goals.

SDP is built on person centered planning. That means the focus is your preferred future, your culture, your routines, and the supports that actually work for you, not a one size fits all list of services.

Under SDP you still work with your regional center, but you have more authority over your plan. You choose your team, you design the services, and you decide which providers or staff are the right fit, while safeguards and oversight remain in place through the regional center and your Financial Management Service.

Why self determination matters for disability services

Traditional disability services can feel rigid. Families and participants are often told what is available instead of being asked what would actually help. Schedules are limited, providers are full, and supports sometimes feel built around the system instead of the person.

SDP changes that experience. Instead of starting with a list of existing programs, you start with your life. You build supports around:

Where you live and where you want to live
How you learn best
Your communication style
Your culture, language, and community
Your goals for work, money, health, relationships, and independence

When Self Determination is done well it reduces frustration, builds real skills, and respects dignity. It also allows creative solutions that are not always possible in the traditional model, as long as they are tied to your Individual Program Plan outcomes and follow state rules.

How the Self Determination Program works in California

SDP is a statewide option through the California Department of Developmental Services and the regional center system. It is voluntary. You can decide to enter the program and you can also decide to leave and return to traditional services later.

At a simple level, SDP has five core pieces:

Your Individual Program Plan, which states your outcomes and goals
A person centered plan that explores your life and preferred future in more detail
An individual budget, based on what the regional center would have spent for your services
A spending plan that shows how you will use the budget across the year
A Financial Management Service that pays staff and invoices and tracks the funds

You do not run this alone. Your circle of support, your service coordinator, an Independent Facilitator if you choose one, and your Financial Management Service all help you design, approve, and manage the plan.

Who can use the Self Determination Program

SDP is available to most people who are eligible for regional center services in California. There are detailed rules in state law, and there can be exceptions, so your service coordinator is the best person to confirm eligibility for your specific situation.

In general, participants:

Are served by a California regional center
Live in the community or are planning to leave a licensed facility
Are willing to take on more choice and responsibility for their services and budget

You can ask to learn about SDP at any time. If you are interested, you will be asked to attend an orientation before you enroll so that you understand rights, responsibilities, and safeguards.

Budgets and spending plans in SDP

The individual budget is one of the most important parts of Self Determination. It is the yearly amount of money that can be used to buy services and supports that match your Individual Program Plan.

Here is the general flow:

The regional center looks at what they spent on your services in a recent twelve month period and what you need going forward
They propose an individual budget amount. You can ask questions and, if needed, you can request changes through their appeal processes
Once the budget is set, you and your team create a spending plan. This breaks the budget into categories such as coaching, community access, employment, respite, assistive technology, or other approved services
Your Financial Management Service uses the spending plan to pay invoices and staff and to track how much is left in each category

Money in SDP is flexible in the sense that you can hire staff yourself, contract with agencies, or use a mix of both, as long as everything lines up with your Individual Program Plan and state rules. It is not an unlimited account. It is a planned and monitored budget that must last the full year.

When things change, such as new health needs or changes in living situation, you can request adjustments to your Individual Program Plan and to your budget. Your team and your regional center review those changes together.

Who does what, person centered planning, independent facilitator, and FMS

There are three key roles that make Self Determination easier to use in real life.

Person centered planning

Person centered planning is a process where you and your circle of support talk about your life in detail. You explore what is working, what is not working, your strengths, your daily routines, and your long term vision. The result is a written plan that becomes the foundation for your Individual Program Plan and your spending choices.

Independent facilitator

An Independent Facilitator is someone you choose, who works for you. They can help you:

Prepare your person centered plan and gather input from your circle of support
Understand your budget and explore creative but compliant ways to use it
Find and interview providers or staff
Prepare for Individual Program Plan meetings and follow up afterward
Solve problems when things stall or when approvals are confusing

Independent Facilitator services are usually paid from your individual budget. Some participants prefer to have their regional center service coordinator perform many of these functions instead. Both are allowed as long as the right tasks are covered.

Financial Management Service

Every participant in SDP must use a Financial Management Service. This is a company that:

Sets up payroll for workers when the participant is the employer
Pays invoices for agencies and other vendors
Checks that workers meet basic requirements, such as background checks when required
Handles tax and employment paperwork
Sends monthly reports that show what has been spent and what remains in the budget

There are different models, such as an employer of record model, where the Financial Management Service is the employer on paper, and a model where the participant or family is the employer. Each has pros and cons, so it is important to review them with your team before choosing.

Simple steps to start with Self Determination

Every regional center has its own process, but most journeys follow a similar path. Think of it as five main stages.

One, orientation

Tell your service coordinator that you want to learn about SDP and attend the required orientation. This is where you hear about responsibilities, rights, and how safeguards work.

Two, confirm eligibility and request to enroll

After orientation, let your coordinator know that you would like to move forward. They will confirm eligibility and begin the enrollment steps on their side.

Three, choose your Financial Management Service

Review available Financial Management Service options, ask about their models and fees, and select the one that feels like the best fit. This choice is important because they will handle daily payments and payroll.

Four, build your person centered plan and draft budget

Work with your Independent Facilitator or your team to complete a person centered plan. Then use that plan to propose a budget and a spending plan that match your Individual Program Plan outcomes.

Five, Individual Program Plan approval and launch

You meet with your team and the regional center to approve the Individual Program Plan, your budget, and your spending plan. Once those are agreed upon and your Financial Management Service is ready, you can begin hiring staff and starting services. You review things regularly and make adjustments instead of waiting a full year if something is not working.

Common myths and facts about SDP

Myth, Self Determination is only for people with very high needs

Fact, SDP is an option for many different support levels. The key is that your services clearly match your Individual Program Plan outcomes and that you are ready for the extra responsibility and flexibility.

Myth, if you choose SDP you lose all traditional vendor services

Fact, many people transition gradually. Some use a mix of SDP and traditional services while their plan is evolving, as long as everything is coordinated through the regional center and does not duplicate funding.

Myth, managing a budget is too complicated

Fact, the budget process can feel new at first, but with a clear person centered plan, a supportive Independent Facilitator, and a strong Financial Management Service, most families and participants settle into a routine. Templates, checklists, and regular check ins make it much more manageable.

Myth, Self Determination means you are on your own

Fact, SDP still includes support from your regional center, your circle of support, your Financial Management Service, and your chosen providers. You have more control, but you are not alone.

How bttr uses Self Determination to support real life change

bttr. living was built with Self Determination in mind from day one. Before bttr existed on paper, I was already seeing how powerful SDP could be for families who wanted something more personal than a standard vendor list. Many participants needed a human first guide who understood both the regulations and the messy reality of life.

When we work with Self Determination participants, we focus on three things, clarity, momentum, and dignity.

Clarity

We break the SDP process into simple steps and plain language
We use checklists, sample budgets, and templates so everyone knows what is next
We keep communication with regional centers direct and respectful and we document decisions clearly

Momentum

We link every support to a real outcome in your life, not just a service code
We use coaching that fits your schedule and your learning style in our core tracks, Life, Money, Tech, Connect, Express, and Health
We review progress regularly so your plan does not sit in a drawer

Dignity

We show up on time, prepared, and honest with participants, families, and regional center teams
We design supports that feel respectful, modern, and age appropriate
We protect privacy and follow Title 17 and Self Determination rules while still advocating firmly when something is not working

Our role is not to take over your life. Our role is to coach, coordinate, and clear the path so that Self Determination becomes a daily reality instead of just a concept on paper.

Real life examples, how SDP can look in practice

Example, building a stable week for a young adult at home

A young adult lives with family and has strong interests in technology and art but struggles with motivation and daily routines. Through SDP the team creates a plan that funds:

Weekly coaching sessions focused on morning routines, time blocking, and realistic habits
Small group community classes that combine art and social skills
Structured practice around money basics, banking, and online safety

The family uses an employer of record model, hiring a support coach who fits the schedule and communication style of the participant, while the Financial Management Service handles payroll and reports.

Example, preparing for independent living

An adult participant wants to move from the family home to more independent living in the future. Through SDP, the team designs:

Person centered planning that focuses on safety, transportation, and neighborhood preferences
Coaching hours in the community for skills like grocery shopping, cooking, and laundry
Budgeted supports for technology, such as reminders, shared calendars, and smart home tools

Over time, the Individual Program Plan and the budget shift from mostly family support to more direct coaching and housing readiness services, with clear data on what is working.

Quick FAQ

Can I try SDP and then return to traditional services

Yes. SDP is voluntary. If at some point you decide that traditional services are a better fit, you can talk with your service coordinator about transitioning back. The details and timelines can vary by regional center.

Who approves my spending choices

Spending must match your Individual Program Plan outcomes and follow Self Determination and regional center guidelines. Your Financial Management Service processes payments and your regional center monitors for compliance and health and safety.

Can SDP pay for everything I want

No. The budget is public funding with specific rules. Purchases must be related to your disability, tied to your Individual Program Plan, and consistent with Self Determination regulations. There are also limits on some services. Your Independent Facilitator and team can help you sort out what is allowed.

Is Self Determination more work for families

It can be more work in the beginning because you are making more decisions and customizing more pieces. With the right support and good systems, the daily routine can become smoother than the traditional model because services fit better and communication is clearer. That is exactly where bttr focuses its support.