Making SDP Personal: How to Design & Assemble Your Dream Team

Designing your ideal support team is one of the most empowering parts of the Self-Determination Program (SDP). With more freedom comes more choice—and yes, more responsibility. The staff you hire directly shape your daily routines, your independence, and your progress toward the goals in your person-centered plan (PCP).

When you build a team that truly understands you, everything becomes easier: daily life feels smoother, goals become more achievable, and you gain real control over what support looks like. That’s what strong SDP supports are all about.

This article expands on the first half of NeuroNav’s recent webinar with Suzy Requarth, Program Director of Self-Determination Services. If you’d like the full walkthrough—including the technical steps of hiring, onboarding, and vendor setup—you can watch the full webinar and sign up for NeuroNav’s newsletter to get monthly supports, guides, and updates.

Understanding Your Support Needs

Before hiring anyone, start by grounding yourself in your goals — especially the goals listed in your Person-Centered Plan (PCP) or Individual Program Plan (IPP). Every funded service under the California Self-Determination Program must be connected to an outcome in one of these documents.

Suzy Requarth notes, “Everything that you put in your spending plan, every member of your ‘dream team’ that you’re hopefully building, has to connect to a goal or outcome in your person-centered plan or your IPP.” 

Here’s what to think through:

What support do you want, and when?

• Do you need someone for a few hours at a specific time of day, or a full-day schedule?
• Do you want support at home, in the community, or both?
• How frequently will you need this support — daily, weekly, or seasonally?

What type of support matches your goals?

This is where it helps to translate everyday needs into “Regional Center language.” For example:

• Cooking classes or meal prep → Independent Living Skills (ILS)
• Help learning to use transportation → Mobility Training
• Assistance applying for jobs → Employment Supports
• Support with schoolwork → Tutoring or Educational Services

Understanding the category helps you place each service into the correct part of your spending plan—a key step for being an informed SDP employer.

Finding the Right People

Once you know what you’re looking for, you're ready to start the hiring process.

Create a Simple Job Overview

Many families and adults in SDP start with a one-page “About Me” or short job description that includes:

• Who you are and what matters to you
• The type of help you’re looking for
• Schedule needs
• Any special skills required (e.g., cooking, driving, experience with AAC)

Where to Look for Candidates

Finding the right people can take time—sometimes weeks or even months—and that’s normal. Try a mix of:

• Your personal network
• Community groups or neighbors
• Indeed, Care.com, Handshake
• Local college job boards
• Asking your independent facilitator to help with recruitment

Factor in Background Checks

Some 1:1 support roles require a DDS background check, which can take several weeks or more. Keep that in mind when planning your start date.

Onboarding and Managing Staff

Hiring is only the beginning; onboarding is just as important.

• Set clear expectations: What tasks should they handle? What outcomes are you aiming for?
• Create a training plan: Even experienced staff need guidance on your preferences, routines, and communication style.
• Decide how you’ll handle issues: How will you provide feedback? What will you do if someone isn’t meeting expectations?
• Recognize great work: Appreciation helps with retention, and many families build long-term relationships with their best staff.

Build Your Team with Confidence — NeuroNav Can Help

Designing your dream team in the Self-Determination Program is a thoughtful process, and it’s completely normal to feel unsure about where to start. Between identifying your goals, translating them into the right service categories, and finding people who truly understand your needs, the journey can feel overwhelming—but you don’t have to do it alone.

NeuroNav’s independent facilitation services offer personalized guidance at every stage, helping you make sense of your support needs, plan your budget, and build a team that reflects your everyday life and long-term goals. Whether you're just beginning or refining the supports you already have, we’re here to help you move forward with clarity and confidence.

If you’re ready for expert support as you build your SDP team, schedule a consultation today to get started.