Although the California Self-Determination Program (SDP) is designed to give participants more agency over their services and supports, sometimes you simply need a little bit of help navigating the program. Its complexity can be overwhelming—especially during the enrollment process.
The SDP accounts for this need by allowing participants to contract with an independent facilitator (IF). But understanding what an IF does and how they can help presents its own learning curve.
NeuroNav’s recent webinar aims to demystify the role of the independent facilitator. Sydney Seel, one of NeuroNav’s independent facilitators, and Bridgette Raney, our onboarding manager, provided insights on effective working relationships with IFs.
We have some highlights from that webinar below.
In the broadest sense, your independent facilitator’s (IF) role is to guide you through SDP enrollment and help ensure that the program is paying for the services and supports you need. A large chunk of your IF’s responsibilities involves communicating your hopes and dreams to the regional center in ways that will secure those critical services.
“We can kind of take what you give us and translate it into a regional center language and make sure that it captures what it is that you're trying to achieve,” Sydney says.
More specifically, your IF can:
An experienced IF will have a strong foundation of institutional knowledge, which is critical whenever you need a true advocate on your side.
Because your IF is so ingrained in the enrollment process, NeuroNav actually employs two distinct types of IFs: those who help new participants get started with the SDP, and those who exclusively manage participants already in the program.
During enrollment alone, participants must create their:
Between these documents and finding vendors and employees, the learning curve can be steep. You will speak with your enrollment or onboarding IF a great deal during the first couple of years.
After things smooth out, the IF providing ongoing support will make sure there are no interruptions in your services and supports. They can brainstorm solutions to new problems, renew your budget, and advocate for adjustments as needed. NeuroNav’s ongoing-support IFs like to check in with clients on a monthly basis, if not more frequently.
What makes NeuroNav different from other SDP independent facilitator firms?
As Sydney explains in the webinar, NeuroNav’s independent facilitators are not on their own. They’re supported by the company’s policy experts, leadership team, administrative staff, and specialized employees.
One example of this advantage is NeuroNav’s employee recruiter. Instead of using an agency to find support staff, you can hire W2 employees directly. By not going through an agency and paying overhead (thereby reducing your workers’ pay), you can use your budget’s funds a little more efficiently and get the employee you really want.
NeuroNav’s recruiter will create the job description, screen applicants, and enlist your help in choosing the right person to help. Through the one-time recruiter fee, you’ll save money in the long run by hiring an employee directly instead of contracting with an agency.
By having an employee recruiter supporting them, your NeuroNav IF will have more time to focus on communicating with the regional center and advocating for your needs.
Our firm has helped nearly 600 families maximize the advantages of being in the SDP. To NeuroNav, success means clients actually achieve their hopes and dreams through the flexibility of the program.
If you’d like to see how our independent facilitation team can help you or your loved one, please schedule your free consultation at your convenience. Don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter so you never miss a future webinar!