Understanding the Self-Determination Program (SDP) in California

If your child is enrolled with a Regional Center in California — including the Regional Center of the Inland Counties, which serves San Bernardino County families — you may have heard about the Self-Determination Program (SDP). It's one of the most powerful and underutilized options available to families of children with developmental disabilities, and understanding it can open doors to services that traditional Regional Center funding often cannot provide.

What Is the Self-Determination Program?

The Self-Determination Program is a voluntary program administered by the California Department of Developmental Services (DDS) that gives individuals with developmental disabilities and their families greater control over the services and supports they receive. Instead of the Regional Center choosing and purchasing services on your behalf, SDP gives your family an individual budget that you manage — choosing the providers, services, and supports that best fit your child's needs and goals.

Think of it as moving from a pre-set menu to building your own. Traditional Regional Center services are determined by what vendors are available and contracted. SDP allows families to hire the providers they believe are best, even if those providers aren't on the Regional Center's vendor list — as long as the services fit within the approved person-centered plan.

Who Is Eligible?

To participate in SDP, the individual must:

• Be enrolled with a California Regional Center as a client
• Have a qualifying developmental disability under the Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Services Act
• Be a California resident
• Complete required SDP orientation and training before beginning
• Work with an Independent Facilitator to develop a person-centered plan

SDP is open to individuals of all ages, including children and young adults. Participation is entirely voluntary — families can choose to join, leave, or return to traditional Regional Center services at any time.

How the Individual Budget Works

Once enrolled, the family works with their Independent Facilitator to develop a person-centered plan — a document that identifies the individual's goals, strengths, needs, and the supports required to achieve those goals. The Regional Center then determines an individual budget based on that plan.

This budget is managed through a Financial Management Services (FMS) agency — a third-party organization that handles payroll, vendor payments, and budget tracking on the family's behalf. The family directs the spending; the FMS handles the administrative side.

Funds can be used for a wide range of supports and services, including:

• Specialized tutoring and academic support
• Behavioral support services
• Respite care
• Transportation
• Community integration activities
• Technology and assistive devices
• And other supports identified in the person-centered plan

Can SDP Funds Be Used for Tutoring?

Yes — this is one of the most impactful ways families in the Inland Empire are using SDP. If specialized tutoring is identified as a support in your child's person-centered plan and it aligns with their goals, SDP funds can be used to pay for it. This includes IEP-aligned tutoring for reading, math, writing, and other academic skills.

This is significant for families who have struggled to access consistent, high-quality academic support through traditional Regional Center channels. SDP removes the vendor restriction — meaning you can choose the tutor you believe is the best fit for your child, not just whoever happens to be contracted with the Regional Center.

The Role of the Independent Facilitator

Every SDP participant works with an Independent Facilitator (IF) — a person who helps the family develop and manage their person-centered plan. The IF is not a Regional Center employee. They are an independent professional who works for the family, helping them articulate goals, identify supports, negotiate the individual budget with the Regional Center, and navigate the program.

Choosing a knowledgeable, experienced IF is one of the most important decisions in the SDP process. A strong IF helps families maximize their budget and build a plan that truly reflects their child's needs.

Is SDP Right for Every Family?

SDP is a powerful option — but it requires more active involvement from the family than traditional Regional Center services. You are taking on the responsibility of managing a budget, choosing providers, and ensuring the plan is implemented. Families who thrive in SDP typically:

• Have a clear vision for the kind of support their child needs
• Want access to providers or services not available through the standard vendor network
• Are comfortable with some administrative responsibility (with FMS support)
• Have experienced frustration with the limitations of traditional Regional Center services

For families who prefer to have the Regional Center coordinate everything, traditional services may be a better fit. SDP is not a one-size-fits-all answer — it's a tool, and like any tool, it works best when it's the right match for the job.

How to Get Started

If you're interested in exploring SDP, the first step is contacting your child's Regional Center Service Coordinator. Let them know you'd like to learn more about SDP and request the orientation materials. You can also find information directly through the California Department of Developmental Services at dds.ca.gov.

Families in San Bernardino County can reach the Regional Center of the Inland Counties (RCIC) at rcic.org or by calling their main office. RCIC serves families across the Inland Empire, including Redlands, San Bernardino, Fontana, Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga, and surrounding communities.