What is Self Determination?

Self Determination is a way of receiving services with more flexibility than ever before.  The program offers people more freedom and control over how their services are provided and in who supports them.  It is a voluntary alternative to the traditional way of receiving services through regional centers. Self Determination adheres to the following principles:

Freedom – You plan your own life and make your own decisions, just like people without disabilities are able to do.

Authority – You control a certain amount of money to purchase services and supports.

Support – You pick the people and supports that will help you live, work and play in your community.

Responsibility – You have the opportunity to take responsibility for making decisions about your life and to accept your valued role in the community.

Confirmation – You are the most important person when making plans for your life. You are the decision maker about your services. Self Determination means “nothing about you without you.”

Why do I want to do it?

Self Determination offers you the opportunity to be creative, to think outside the box, to create your own plan for your life.  It’s about being in control and having a choice in all areas of your life including where you want to live, how you will spend your time each day and who you will spend your time with. It’s about having hopes and dreams for the future, developing goals and going after them.

Self Determination Eligibility

To participate in the Self Determination Program (SDP), an individual must have a developmental disability and receive services through the regional center.

Children under three who have a developmental disability and are eligible to receive services from the regional center may participate in the Self Determination program. Children under three who do not have a developmental disability and are being served through the Early Start Program are not eligible to participate in the Self Determination program. 

Participants and/or their family must agree to:

Participate in an orientation for the Self Determination Program.

Work with a Financial Management Services (FMS) provider that is vendored by the regional center. 

Manage their services and supports within their individual budget.

Access generic services before using any funds from their individual budget. 

Not live in a licensed long-term care facility (i.e., a Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF), Intermediate Care Facility (ICF) or Developmental Center (DC)  unless  they are expected to move back into the community within 90 days.

What’s different?

The way the Self Determination Program works is different than the way services are delivered through the traditional system. What makes Self Determination so exciting is that it gives you flexibility in choosing your services, supports, and who provides them. In Self Determination, you can choose different services, not just those through the regional center.  

Right now, your Service Coordinator is the person who helps you find the services you need. In Self Determination, you will decide who you want to help you. This could be your family or friends, or an Independent Facilitator. There will be money in a budget and you will choose which services and supports you will purchase to meet your goals.

Important Things to Know

You will have the same rights in Self Determination that you have now with traditional service. 

Self Determination is a voluntary program. It’s your choice to be in the program. 

Generic resources must be used prior to spending funds in Self Determination just as it is now in the traditional system. 

All services and supports must be connected to a need that is documented on your Individual Program Plan (IPP).

Next Steps

Contact your TCRC service coordinator.

To learn more, visit the DDS Self Determination Program Home Page  at www.dds.ca.gov/sdp.

If you have questions, comments, or want to be notified of updates from the state, please e-mail DDS at sdp@dds.ca.gov.