The independent facilitator is an important figure for many people involved with California’s Self-Determination Program (SDP). The SDP gives Californians with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDDs) a great deal of freedom when deciding on essential services.
Regional Center customers familiar with the traditional model — having service coordinators determine needs and arrange for services — may find the SDP better equipped to help them reach their goals. Having a trusted advisor by your side can help you get the most out of the SDP.
What Is an Independent Facilitator?
Think of an independent facilitator as your trusted guide through the SDP process. SDP participants are not required to hire an independent facilitator, as their services do cost money. However, participants can pay independent facilitators with the money they are allotted in their individual budgets.
To be an independent facilitator in California, one must not be:
- Providing another service to a participant or employed by such service providers
- Already serving as an IHSS (In-Home Supportive Services) worker for the participant
- Married to an adult SDP participant
- The parent of a minor (under 18) SDP participant
What can an independent facilitator do for me?
The roles of your independent facilitator will be unique to you and your needs. Whether you are currently an SDP participant or looking to become one affects the kind of independent facilitator services you need. Your facilitator might perform one or more of the following tasks:
- Help you identify and prioritize short-term and long-term goals
- Educate you on person-centered planning principles and assist in developing your person-centered plan
- Meet with Regional Center staff at any stage of the SDP process
- Advocate for you during the development of your individual budget
- Negotiate payment rates for service providers
- Ensuring continuity between the person-centered plan, individual budget, and spending plan
- Evaluate the effectiveness of services and service providers
- Recommend necessary changes to the spending plan and secure the changes with the Regional Center
How Do I Choose the Right Independent Facilitator?
Before searching for an independent facilitator, you might consider simply asking your Regional Center service coordinator to fulfill that role. This can free up space in your individual budget for other services, but service coordinators are not allowed to advocate for lower service-provider rates. Additionally, they may only be allowed to look for service providers officially endorsed by the Regional Center.
If you opt for independent facilitation, you have many options. To whittle down a list of contenders, it may be helpful to ask questions like:
- What is your experience with the SDP and people with disabilities?
- How much do you know about my medical conditions?
- What is your highest level of education?
- Do you have existing relationships with service providers?
- After the individual budget and spending plans are set, how often would you contact me or my circle of support?
- Will you remain my independent facilitator, or is there a chance I’ll be shifted to another facilitator in your firm?
There are currently no credentialing or licensing procedures for independent facilitators in California, but all must receive training in self-determination principles, person-centered planning, and the essential roles of the role.
Getting Started with NeuroNav
NeuroNav has a team of independent facilitators with deep experience working within the SDP. We can help participants already in the SDP and potential participants interested in receiving SDP services. Signing up for a free consultation is the first step for both services.
New or prospective Regional Center customer?
If you haven’t become a customer with your Regional Center yet, you’ll need our “Transitioning into Self-Determination” service. This one-off service involves pairing with one of our independent facilitators, who will help you develop your person-centered plan and spending plan, secure funding from the Regional Center, and ensure you get connected with service providers, including your financial management service (FMS).
Existing SDP participant?
You can utilize our “Ongoing Independent Facilitation” service if you are already receiving SDP services. You can expect continual support from your independent facilitator as you receive services. As your needs or goals change, your NeuroNav independent facilitator can help you tweak spending plans and find new service providers.
