For individuals with developmental disabilities and their families, California’s self-determination program offers a more personalized way to receive services and support. Instead of relying only on traditional Regional Center vendors, participants have greater freedom to choose providers, set goals, and direct how services are delivered. Understanding how enrollment works can make the process feel less overwhelming and help families move forward with confidence.
Canaan Cares works with individuals and families throughout California who are exploring more flexible support options through the self-determination program. By understanding each step ahead of time, families can better prepare for the transition and build a support plan that reflects the individual’s goals, strengths, and daily life needs.
What Is California’s Self-Determination Program?
The Self-Determination Program (SDP) is an alternative service model available through California Regional Centers. The program gives individuals more choice, flexibility, control, and independence when it comes to receiving services.
Instead of only working with traditional Regional Center vendors, participants can:
- Choose their own providers
- Hire support staff directly
- Customize services around personal goals
- Build schedules that fit their lifestyle
- Use an individualized budget to support their needs
The program is designed around person-centered planning, meaning services are built around the individual rather than fitting the person into a standard system.
Who Is Eligible for the Program?
Participants must:
- Be a Regional Center client
- Be willing to follow SDP rules
- Participate in person-centered planning
- Work with a Financial Management Service (FMS)
- Agree to responsibly manage services and supports
There is no age requirement. Children, teens, and adults may participate if they qualify through the Regional Center system and have appropriate support throughout the process.
The State Council on Developmental Disabilities also explains that participants must live in the community and receive Regional Center services under the Lanterman Act.
Step 1: Contact Your Regional Center
The first step in enrolling in the self-determination program is reaching out to your Regional Center service coordinator.
Families should let their coordinator know they are interested in beginning the SDP enrollment process. The coordinator can explain the next requirements, provide orientation details, and answer questions about eligibility.
This first conversation is important because it officially starts the transition process. Families can also discuss current services, concerns about flexibility, and goals for future support.
Canaan Cares encourages families to ask questions early so they better understand how self-direction works before moving forward.
Step 2: Attend the Required Orientation
Before enrollment can continue, participants must complete a required Self-Determination orientation.
The orientation explains:
- Program rules
- Participant rights
- Budget responsibilities
- Service guidelines
- Financial requirements
- Person-centered planning expectations
This step helps families understand both the freedoms and responsibilities that come with self-directed services. While the program offers more flexibility, participants are also expected to manage supports carefully and follow approved spending guidelines.
Attending orientation also gives families a chance to learn practical details about the transition process and hear examples of how the program works in real life.
Step 3: Complete Person-Centered Planning
Person-centered planning is one of the most important parts of the enrollment process.
This process involves an individualized conversation focused on what matters most to the participant. The planning process explores:
- Strengths
- Needs
- Personal goals
- Interests
- Barriers to independence
- Preferred supports
- Long-term hopes
The information gathered during this planning process becomes the foundation for both the Individual Program Plan (IPP) and the spending plan.
This step allows families to move beyond a one-size-fits-all approach and focus on supports that truly fit the individual’s daily life. For some participants, goals may involve building independent living skills. Others may focus on community involvement, employment preparation, or social development.
Canaan Cares emphasizes that individualized planning helps participants build fuller, more meaningful lives within their communities.
Step 4: Receive Your Individual Budget
Once planning is completed, the Regional Center determines the participant’s individual budget. The budget is generally based on the individual’s previous 12 months of Regional Center spending.
The budget can then be used for approved supports and services that align with the participant’s goals and IPP.
Examples of approved supports may include:
- Community activities
- Skill development
- Employment support
- Therapies
- Independent living supports
- Transportation included in the IPP
- Coaching or mentoring
- Social and recreational activities that increase independence
This flexibility is one reason many families choose the self-determination program. Instead of limited service structures, participants can create support systems that better match their real-life needs.
Step 5: Develop a Spending Plan
After the budget is established, participants create a spending plan.
This document explains how funds will be used throughout the year for supports, staffing, and services. The spending plan must align with the goals identified during person-centered planning and comply with SDP guidelines.
Families often use this step to think carefully about what supports are most valuable for the participant’s growth, independence, and community involvement.
Creating the spending plan can take time, but it also gives participants more direct involvement in shaping their services.
Step 6: Choose a Financial Management Service Provider
All SDP participants are required to work with a Financial Management Service (FMS) provider.
The FMS provider helps:
- Track the budget
- Process payments
- Ensure compliance
- Assist with hiring and paying workers
This structure allows participants to remain in control while still maintaining financial oversight and accountability.
The FMS provider plays an important administrative role, helping families manage paperwork, payments, and program requirements more smoothly.
Step 7: Begin Directing Your Services
Once the planning and budget steps are complete, participants can officially begin directing their own services.
This is where many families experience the greatest benefits of the self-determination program. Participants can choose who provides support, determine schedules, and build services around daily life rather than adapting to limited provider availability.
Participants may hire:
- Friends
- Community members
- Independent contractors
- Agencies
- Specialized professionals
- Certain family members in some situations
Participants are not restricted to traditional Regional Center vendors.
Canaan Cares supports individuals participating in SDP through services focused on community activities, independent living skills, respite support, employment goals, and personalized social supports.
Why Families Choose Self-Determination
Families often choose the self-determination program because it offers greater flexibility and personalization.
Benefits highlighted by Canaan Cares include:
- Individualized support built around personal goals
- Greater control over providers and schedules
- Increased community involvement
- More independence
- Stronger empowerment and self-direction
For many individuals, the ability to customize services creates opportunities that may not exist within traditional systems.
The process may seem complex at first, but taking it step by step can help families feel more prepared and informed. With guidance, planning, and the right support team, participants can create services that better reflect their goals and daily lives.
Canaan Cares continues to support families throughout California by helping individuals pursue meaningful independence, community engagement, and personalized support through the self-determination program.
If you are considering the self-determination program in Poway, CA, for a loved one, please contact the compassionate staff at Canaan Cares today: (858) 345-6546.
Canaan Cares proudly serves California Regional Centers throughout San Diego, Poway, Oceanside, Escondido, Carlsbad, El Cajon, Vista, Solana Beach, Encinitas, La Mesa, and Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, San Diego, and Riverside Counties.
