Starting out in California’s Self-Determination Program (SDP) can feel overwhelming. There are many new words, acronyms, and systems to understand. Families often hear them all at once and may have a hard time parsing all the new language. That’s why we’ve created this glossary: a simple, straightforward guide to the most important SDP terms.
Whether you’re just beginning your journey with SDP or looking to better understand how everything fits together, this guide is designed to help you make sense of all that new lingo.
Defining the Self-Determination Program (SDP)
Before diving into all the details, it helps to start with the basics. These are the key terms that explain what SDP is and who oversees it.
- Department of Developmental Services (DDS): The state agency that oversees regional centers and the Self-Determination Program. DDS sets policies, provides funding, and ensures programs follow the law.
- Regional Center: Nonprofit organizations funded by the California DDS. They coordinate services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDDs), including enrolling participants into the Self-Determination Program.
- Self Determination Program (SDP): A program in California that gives people with IDDs more choice and control over the disability services and supports they receive. Instead of relying only on traditional services provided by the regional center, participants create a personalized plan and direct their own supports.
Other Key SDP Terms
Once you know the basics, the next step is learning the tools and documents that make the SDP work. These terms describe the plans, budgets, and roles that guide the program.
- Financial Management Services (FMS): An agency that manages the money in an individual budget. The FMS pays providers, keeps records, and ensures everything follows state and federal rules. Participants must choose an FMS provider to take part in SDP.
- Independent Facilitator (IF): A professional who helps participants navigate SDP. Independent facilitators can support families in creating a person-centered plan, developing a budget and spending plan, finding services, and advocating for their needs.
- Individual Budget: The amount of money available to an SDP participant each year to pay for services and supports. This number is based on how much the regional center spent on the person’s services in the past.
- Individual Program Plan (IPP): The official plan developed with your regional center that outlines the services and supports a person will receive. For SDP participants, the IPP must reflect the person-centered plan and budget.
- Orientation: A mandatory informational session that participants must attend before enrolling in SDP. Orientation covers program rules, responsibilities, and how to get started.
- Person-Centered Plan (PCP): A plan created by the participant and their chosen team that describes their goals, strengths, needs, and preferences. The PCP guides the IPP and spending plan.
- Spending Plan: A detailed plan that explains how the individual budget will be used. It lists the services and supports the participant has chosen, along with the amount allocated to each.
- Transition Plan: A plan developed when someone is moving from traditional regional center services into SDP. It helps ensure supports are not interrupted during the switch.
Employment Models in SDP
One unique part of SDP is that families can hire their own support workers. There are several ways to set this up, known as “employment models” or “FMS models.” Here are the options and how they differ.
- Bill Payer Model: The FMS only pays the bills for services. The service providers are considered independent businesses, not employees.
- Co-Employer Model: The participant and the FMS share responsibility as the worker’s employer. The participant helps with hiring and supervision, while the FMS handles payroll and benefits.
- Sole Employer Model: The participant is the direct employer of their workers. This model gives the most control but also the most responsibility, including managing payroll, taxes, and benefits.
Laws and Rules That Shape SDP
The Self-Determination Program is guided by important laws that protect participant rights and ensure services are person-centered. These are the most common ones you’ll hear about.
- The Lanterman Act: A California law that guarantees people with developmental disabilities the right to services and supports to live independently in the community. The Self-Determination Program exists under this law.
- Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Final Rule: A federal rule that requires services funded by Medicaid (including SDP) to support inclusion, independence, and choice in the community.
Other Important Terms
There are several everyday words and roles that come up often in SDP conversations. These terms may not sound technical, but they’re central to how the program works.
- Case Manager (or Service Coordinator): A staff member from the regional center who helps coordinate services for an individual. In SDP, the case manager still plays a role, but the participant has more control over choosing supports.
- Circle of Support: The group of people chosen by the participant, such as family, friends, advocates, and professionals, who provide input and encouragement when creating the person-centered plan and making decisions in SDP.
- Self-Advocacy: The practice of individuals with disabilities speaking up for their own wants, needs, and goals. SDP is built on the principles of self-advocacy.
- Service Provider: The person or organization hired to deliver a service, such as a coach, tutor, therapist, or personal support worker.
- Community Supports: Services that help participants connect with their community, learn new skills, or pursue personal goals.
- Natural Supports: Help that comes from family, friends, or community members outside of paid services.
Learn More About SDP with NeuroNav
The Self-Determination Program gives individuals with IDDs and their families the chance to create lives that reflect their true goals and values. But learning all the terms and understanding how everything fits together can be challenging.
At NeuroNav, we guide families step by step through SDP processes, from creating a person-centered plan to finding the right providers to meet your needs. If you’d like to learn more about how our independent facilitation services can help you meet your goals, schedule a consultation today and take the next step towards a more self-actualized life.