Finding and managing SDP service providers is one of the most important parts of making the California Self-Determination Program work for your real life. But it can also raise a lot of questions—especially around who can be hired, how roles are defined, and what’s possible within your spending plan and budget.
This guide expands on the key questions covered in NeuroNav’s recent webinar, helping you understand what’s allowed, where the limits are, and how to think strategically about building the support team that fits your needs.
Want even more detail? Watch the full webinar now and subscribe to NeuroNav’s newsletter for guidance, resources, and SDP updates, including future webinars.
Families—especially parents—often play a major role in supporting an SDP participant. But the rules around when they can be paid vary, so here are the key takeaways.
Yes, but only for adults.
Parents cannot be paid to provide any service for minor children under SDP. For adults, parents can be hired depending on the service and how it connects to a goal in the person-centered plan or IPP.
In the traditional system: no. Supported Living Services (SLS) vendors cannot employ parents to provide services to their children.
In the Self-Determination Program, SLS doesn't technically exist. Instead, parents of adults can be hired as Personal Assistants (PAs) if the service supports a documented need or goal.
Yes, as long as they meet IF qualifications and do not also provide additional services to the participant. The Independent Facilitator role must stand alone.
Generally, no. Respite is defined as giving the primary caregiver a break. If a parent is the primary caregiver, they cannot “give themselves a break.”
This applies across both traditional services and SDP.
Yes. A parent who is already paid through IHSS can also be hired under SDP, as long as the service aligns with a goal and there’s no duplication of IHSS-funded tasks.
Personal Assistants (PAs) are one of the most flexible types of support available through the Self-Determination Program. Because the role covers a wide range of tasks—from hands-on care to supervision and community participation—families often have questions about how PAs work, what they can do, and how to structure them in a spending plan.
PAs are one of the most flexible types of SDP service providers.
They can offer:
As long as the role clearly supports an IPP or person-centered plan goal, the definition can be broad.
There’s no fixed statewide rate.
Your spending plan, market rates, and FMS requirements all factor in. Many families look at similar job postings or call providers to determine a reasonable range—something also discussed in the first half of the webinar.
Yes. As long as the tasks match goals in the person-centered plan or IPP, a single worker can fill multiple roles.
Your Independent Facilitator can help you determine which category the hours should fall under.
Yes—PAs can support the participant at home or in the community.
Many families list PA support under the broader “community living supports” category in their spending plan. This can make the service more flexible and easier to apply to real-life situations.
It can be, but often PAs are funded under community living or other skill-development categories.
This is something to discuss with your IF while creating or updating the spending plan.
Every Regional Center has its own internal processes. However, the key is to anchor all support in:
Focus on the “why” behind the support, not just the title.
Hiring support staff through the California Self-Determination Program can feel empowering, confusing, or a mix of both. Whether you’re navigating FMS paperwork, defining support roles, confirming what your SDP budget can cover, or determining when a family member can be hired, it’s normal to have questions.
NeuroNav’s independent facilitation services help participants and families understand options, organize their team, clarify service categories, and make sure each provider is aligned with the goals in the plan.
If you want guidance on choosing the right SDP service providers, or if you’re ready to build a team that supports your real needs and lifestyle, schedule a free consultation today.