The spending plan is just one of several crucial documents participants need to have in California’s Self-Determination Program (SDP). Without a spending plan, your individual program plan (IPP), person-centered plan (PCP), and individual budget will not help you or a loved one obtain the support they need.
Given its unique place in the SDP, it can be hard to understand exactly how an SDP spending plan is supposed to work. NeuroNav recently presented a webinar on how to adjust your spending plan as needed, along with tips for being efficient with those changes.
Keep reading for expert insights on maximizing the effectiveness of your spending plan.
How Does the SDP Spending Plan Affect the Individual Program Plan (IPP)?
Developing and finalizing your spending plan actually comes in the latter stages of the SDP enrollment process.
After completing person-centered planning, which is highly recommended but not required, SDP participants meet with their circle of support, Regional Center representatives, and (if chosen) an independent facilitator to create the IPP. The IPP lists the supports and services needed for the participant to complete the goals outlined in their person-centered plan.
As Andrea Bonner, NeuroNav’s SDP specialist, said in the webinar: “The IPP drives the spending plan. An efficient IPP justifies the services you have in your spending plan.”
What to Do if Your SDP Budget Needs Changing
So, you’ve finished all your documents, signed every paper the Regional Center wants you to sign, and officially enrolled in the SDP. Unfortunately, after a few weeks, you discover that a new vendor isn’t the right fit. What now?
The first thing you should do is let your Regional Center (and independent facilitator) know. Collaborating early and often is one of the most important things for SDP participants. The sooner you start the process of changing vendors, employees, or support, the better.
The next step is to gauge how extensive the change will be. If you have another provider in mind to take over your current provider or are simply adding employees to your spending plan, communicating with your FMS (financial management service) may be all you need to do.
→ Pro Tip: When creating your spending plan, list several possible vendors for each support item. For example, if you want to start receiving massage therapy, put down multiple providers. If you don’t like the first massage therapist you try, going to the next one on your list makes it easier to adjust your spending plan.
However, some Regional Centers handle changes differently from others. Always keep your independent facilitator in the loop to minimize service disruptions.
How Long Does it Take to Change Your Spending Plan?
During the webinar, Andrea mentioned a typical timeline of 4–8 weeks for updating spending plans. That’s especially true for substantive changes, such as when a participant wants to change services or move funding around.
Minor changes, such as using a different vendor you already mentioned on the spending plan, happen much more quickly.
→ Pro Tip: Saving records of all your communications with Regional Center representatives will help you justify future service changes. Consider making a shareable folder to house copies of emails and letters.
Find an Advocate and Partner for the SDP Funding You Deserve
Like most processes within the SDP, creating and updating your spending plan takes time. The Regional Center needs time to process the paperwork and understand your reasoning for requesting a change.
SDP participants don’t have to navigate communicating with their Regional Center alone, though. Collaborating with a skilled NeuroNav independent facilitator to navigate your spending plan increases the chances of success – and ensures you don’t leave SDP funding on the table.
We’d love to sit down with you and your loved ones for a free consultation at your convenience. Staying informed and up-to-date on the SDP is also easier than ever before with NeuroNav’s webinars and e-newsletters.