What is the Self-Determination Program?
The Self-Determination Program (SDP) is a voluntary, alternative way for eligible individuals with developmental disabilities to receive regional center services. Signed into law in October 2013 through Senate Bill 468, and available to all eligible regional center consumers since July 2021, SDP gives participants significantly more freedom, control, and responsibility in choosing the services and supports that help them meet the goals in their Individual Program Plan (IPP).

Instead of following a traditional, one-size-fits-all model where the regional center selects and arranges services, SDP empowers participants to make their own decisions about how their service dollars are spent. The philosophy is simple: you know your life better than anyone else.

How It Works
In SDP, participants receive an individual budget—a set amount of regional center funding based on what their services would cost in the traditional system. With this budget, participants create a spending plan that outlines the specific services, supports, and goods they will purchase to meet their IPP goals. The total of the spending plan cannot exceed the individual budget.

Participants are not limited to vendors traditionally used by regional centers. They can choose other qualified providers, hire their own support workers, or negotiate unique service arrangements with local community resources—including social and recreation programs, camps, non-medical therapies, and respite care.

D’Ultimate Care accepts clients that are part of the Self-Determination Program.