The California Self-Determination Program (SDP) empowers individuals with developmental disabilities and their families to make decisions about the services and supports they receive. Instead of a Regional Center deciding which services a person gets, the family gets to control a budget and select service providers that best meet the individual’s needs, goals, and preferences. This program gives families greater flexibility and choice, allowing for more personalized care that fosters independence.

Individuals are provided with a budget from a California Regional Center. Rather than getting approval for vendorized services, you are provided with a budget for the year that you are able to allocate as you choose.

Traditional services are typically more rigid, with the Regional Center dictating the services a person receives. SDP, on the other hand, gives families the power to choose and personalize the services their loved one receives by giving them a budget to allocate towards services that best meet their goals and preferences.

Self-Determination Program Services 

• Personalized services built around you and your family’s specific wants and needs

• Focus on your individual interests, needs, and wants

• We guide you through the process and explain what you need to know. We're the expert, so you don't need to be. 

• Streamlined payment through a Financial Management Service provider

Traditional Services

• Standardized, uncustomized services with only  “one-size fits all” options

• Focus on generalized vendor processes, approvals, and regulations

• Communication across lots of governmental agencies and middlemen, lots of processes and regulations for you to navigate through with less support

• Multiple-step vendor process for payments via vendors and agencies

A Person-Centered Plan highlights the individual’s strengths and goals with the help of their “circle of support”, and is used to advocate for the best service and support plan possible to achieve the individual’s hopes and dreams.

California residents with developmental disabilities who are clients of a Regional Center are eligible for the Self-Determination Program. Eligibility requirements may vary based on specific circumstances, so families should consult their Regional Center to confirm eligibility.

To be eligible, you or your family member must:

1. Have an intellectual or developmental disability

2. Currently or about to be receiving services from a California Regional Center

3. Be above the age of three or eligible for services under the Lanterman Act

4. Not be living in a licensed long-term health care facility

In October of 2013, Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. signed SB 468 (Emmerson) into law to create the SDP.  SDP provides individuals and their families with more freedom, control, and responsibility in choosing services and supports to help them meet objectives in their Individual Program Plan. During the 3-year implementation period of the SDP, the program only was available to 2,500 individuals.  Starting July 1, 2021, the SDP now is available to all eligible individuals receiving services from a regional center.

You can learn more about the program directives from the California Department of Developmental Services website.

Self-Determination Program (SDP) : CA Department of Developmental Services

California has 21 regional centers with more than 40 offices located throughout the state.

Use this Region Center Lookup Tool from the California Department of Developmental Services.

Regional Center Lookup