Californians currently receiving services from Regional Centers are increasingly turning to the SDP (Self-Determination Program) for greater flexibility. While SDP helps individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDDs) choose services that better align with their goals, participants should prepare for a potentially long enrollment process.
“[Enrollment] is not something you can zoom through in most cases,” Suzy Requarth, NeuroNav’s program director, said in a recent webinar. “If somebody says, ‘Hey, I'll get you into SDP in a month,’ they are not being truthful with you.”
However, Suzy went on to say that “very, very few” people who enroll in SDP end up regretting it. If you or a loved one is gearing up for the SDP enrollment process, it’s helpful to know what, exactly, is going to happen. We’ve provided an enrollment road map below to help you set realistic expectations for yourself or a loved one.
Want to learn more about what to expect as you get ready to enroll in SDP? Check out the full webinar with Suzy and other members of the NeuroNav team for the full scoop.
Your first step in the SDP enrollment process is orientation. The state of California requires participants to complete an in-person or virtual orientation session, which is the first chance for many people to learn about the key entities and critical junctures of the SDP.
Among other things, orientation covers:
After orientation, Californians who want to proceed with SDP enrollment should begin drafting their PCP, the blueprint for everything else moving forward. A PCP is not required, but NeuroNav highly, highly recommends participants engage in the PCP process.
PCPs are designed to put the participant’s goals first and help determine which services they may want to use. This early step is a time for SDP enrollees to dream big, think outside the box, and go beyond the traditional, standardized services typically associated with Regional Centers.
A common question NeuroNav’s staff receives is: When’s the best time to hire an independent facilitator?
We feel that there’s really no wrong time, but individuals who want to get the most out of the SDP might consider hiring one during the first part of the enrollment process. After the ink dries on the PCP, participants must begin communicating with their Regional Center about the individual budget and IPP; an independent facilitator can be a crucial asset during this step (and beyond!).
SDP participants must still have their budgets and spending plans approved by the Regional Centers, as the funds are public and must be spent efficiently. An important note here is that SDP money may not be spent on services that can already be accessed through other forms of support (such as regional centers).
The spending plan and budget outline exactly how you or your loved one will use the dollars allocated to them through the SDP. Every vendor, service, and employee must connect to goals specifically outlined in the PCP. Don’t forget to lean on your IF during this phase of the enrollment process.
After participants start receiving services through the SDP, their FMS will pay employees and handle most administrative payroll responsibilities.
Depending on the complexity of your IPP and the amount of money you’ll receive each year, it might take a month or more to find the right FMS. Therefore, NeuroNav recommends searching for an FMS around the time your budget and spending plan get approved (if not before).
If the Regional Center has approved everything you’ve submitted to this point, the last big step is to ensure that your spending plan, budget, and PCP connect with the details in the IPP. The IPP is the comprehensive document that brings everything together. It lays out the services you’ll receive, how and when you’ll receive them, and the expenses for each service.
Don’t forget that you’ll need final approval from the Regional Center before you start receiving services through the SDP. After everything gets finalized, your FMS will take over vendor and employee payments.
Future SDP participants are eager to start receiving tailored services and enjoy the flexibility that comes with the program. However, as Suzy mentions, the SDP enrollment process can take several months or, in some cases, close to a year.
“It's actually in your best interest to take the time that you need, because what you don't want to do is rush through it, and start a program, and realize you don't have everything in place that you needed,” Suzy says. If that happens, you or your loved one will not have the services they were counting on—at least initially.
It’s common to feel overwhelmed and even a little intimidated during enrollment. You may even have second thoughts about whether or not you want to continue with the SDP.
Our advice is to maintain your determination, stick with the process, and hire an independent facilitator (IF) to ensure your interests and goals remain a priority throughout enrollment and beyond.
NeuroNav is one of California’s largest and most experienced IF firms. Your success is our success, and we’re ready to be your SDP partner for the long haul. Get in touch with our team to schedule your free consultation and, in the meantime, subscribe to NeuroNav’s newsletter for SDP insights, news, and advice.