Many participants in California’s Self-Determination Program (SDP) choose to involve an independent facilitator while choosing Regional Center services and staff. SDP independent facilitators act as advocates for participants during critical junctures, such as when developing a person-centered plan, securing vendors, and negotiating pay rates for staff.
The SDP aims to put as much power into the hands of participants as they would like when it comes to choosing services that help them achieve their goals. The system can be pretty complicated, though, especially for those new to the program. Independent facilitators can help participants make the most out of the program. In this blog, we’ll go over independent facilitator requirements and ways to potentially spot an effective one!
What is Independent Facilitator Training?
According to California law, independent facilitators working within the SDP must be trained in:
- Self-Determination and its principles
- The person-centered planning process
- Essential responsibilities often assumed by independent facilitators
More specifically, prospective independent facilitators learn about:
- Key differences between the traditional Regional Center model of receiving services and the Self-Determination Program
- The importance of person-centered planning meetings
- Ways to incorporate person-centered planning meetings into actionable individual program plans (IPPs)
- The relationships between the IPP, individual budget, and spending plan
- Interacting with financial management services (FMS) vendors
- Hiring vendors and staff
As of this writing, the California Department of Developmental Services (DDS) has not established state-mandated standards for independent facilitators. However, a variety of informal certificates may be acquired through the completion of training presented by the California State Council on Developmental Disabilities (SCDD) or other organizations.
Although participants may pay for independent facilitators through individual budget funds, the facilitators themselves must pay for training. A helpful resource for finding independent facilitators and vendors is the independent facilitator network.
Skills Needed for Independent Facilitators
The most important quality an independent facilitator can have is the ability to work well with clients/SDP participants. Someone can have all the experience, knowledge, and training in the world but not give you a good feeling about working with them. That’s okay! It’s your life, and you deserve to have the helper you feel will work best for you.
Qualities you may want to look for in an independent facilitator could be:
- Clear communication skills
- A commitment to using out-of-the-box methods for achieving goals
- The ability to bring new ideas and perspectives to the table
- Experience working with similar participants
- A degree in social work or similar field of study
Exclusions for Independent Facilitators
Not just anyone can serve as your independent facilitator, though. Someone who is already providing services under the SDP cannot also be an independent facilitator. Additionally, your spouse or parent (if you are younger than 18) cannot be paid through your individual budget to be your independent facilitator. A staff member at your local Regional Center can act as your independent facilitator without any cost to you.
Find Out What a Skilled Independent Facilitator Can Do For You
Independent facilitators can unlock a world of possibilities for California SDP participants. While you, as the participant, have the power to direct many aspects of your services, an experienced independent facilitator can help you optimize your plans and provide suggestions for services you didn’t even know existed.
NeuroNav’s mission is to meet clients where they are and help them get to where they want to go. Nothing is more important than your goals. We’re here to help you achieve them, because you deserve to dream big. Check out our services to see if we might be of assistance.
