You’d like to think that any stranger who comes into your home to perform services—like plumbers, electricians, and Wi-Fi installers—has undergone a criminal background check. State laws require background checks for certain people, but what about service providers involved with the Self-Determination Program (SDP) in California?
What Are Service Providers?
People or entities who provide services to regional center customers or SDP participants are referred to as service providers.
There are dozens of types of services available to qualifying Californians with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDDs). Each type of service falls into one of three budget categories:
- Living arrangement
- Employment and community participation
- Health and safety
The SDP's primary draw is participants' ability to choose services based on their unique goals. Participants, their circles of support, and independent facilitators can determine the best types of services for them and hire providers directly. This differs from the traditional model of receiving regional center services.
Why Should You Conduct Background Checks?
Many people using SDP services need assistance with relatively intimate and personal tasks such as bathing, grooming, and personal hygiene.
This increased opportunity for the invasion of personal space means that timely background checks can be beneficial.
Why? Unfortunately, people with disabilities are more likely to experience mistreatment than those who do not require assistive services.
In fact, California law requires SDP service vendors that provide personal care services to perform background checks on all workers. SDP participants may request any current or prospective service provider to perform background checks on their employees; many providers have already done so to help them stand out from the competition.
Is it Your Responsibility to Conduct Background Checks?
Ultimately, it is not the responsibility of participants or their circles of trust to perform SDP background checks on service providers. They, along with independent facilitators or financial management services (FMS), may request background checks on providers.
Service providers must fill out a form with the local DMV office and submit workers’ fingerprints at a Live Scan location, which go through the FBI and state DOJ. Some crimes, like rape, homicide, or robbery, automatically disqualify workers. Other crimes might necessitate an exemption, which must be approved by the California Department of Developmental Services (DDS).
Paying for Background Checks
The expenses related to SDP background checks are usually the service provider's responsibility. The full process, from requesting a background check to the FMS receiving the report, can take up to 90 days.
Let NeuroNav Be Your Guide Through the SDP
The Self-Determination Program offers freedom and flexibility for Californians with IDDs, but that freedom comes with slightly greater responsibilities. Some service providers are not required by law to undergo background checks, so it may be up to you to request them.
Requesting background checks and verifying the safety of service providers are two of many tasks an independent facilitator may assist you with during your SDP journey.
Ensuring the effectiveness of a participant’s person-centered plan, individual budget, and spending plan is often best accomplished by hiring an experienced independent facilitator from NeuroNav.
Our team can help you become a new participant or be your ongoing advocate as your needs and goals change. We look forward to speaking with you over a free consultation in the near future.
