Tuesday
October 13
10am
DSP Collaborative Job Fair
Toyota Room at the Torrance Cultural Arts Center | 3330 Civic Center Dr, Torrance, CA 91107
Self-Determination Program (SDP)
Self-Determination Program (SDP)
Exciting news! New Financial Management Service (FMS) Agency
HR Alliance is a new Financial Management Service (FMS) agency that is now accepting referrals for individuals interested in the Self-Determination Program (SDP).
Upcoming Training Opportunities!
Check back regularly for advanced training opportunities for individuals and families participating in the Self- Determination Program (SDP) that include Hiring New Employees, Managing Spending Plan Changes, Management of Self-Determination Funding, and What Makes a Good Person-Centered Plan and How to Create One…more coming soon!
Hunter
“My son, Hunter, is on the spectrum and he loves basketball. He developed a love for basketball around 5 years old when I signed him up for our local parks and recreation summer basketball league. Since then, he plays alongside his twin brother, Dylan, for an AAU basketball team, SBS Hoops. The SDP has allowed Hunter to participate in the league and personal one-on-one training with his coach. We are very grateful for the SDP because it allows Hunter to live out his dreams. 💙”
– Daphne, Mother
Renee
“My name is Renee, I’m 26 years old and was diagnosed with Autism at the age of 19. I have been an SDP participant for the last 3 yrs. I’ve gained the life skills and confidence necessary to finish my AA and open my own business, Lazaryth Adventures, realizing my dream to give back to the neurodivergent community. My business works with small groups of neurodivergent adolescents, using in-person tabletop roleplaying games like “Dungeons & Dragons” to teach and cultivate the skills I wish I had at their age. The services within SDP have given me a level of independence that I could not have achieved otherwise and for that I will always be grateful.”
Chris
“Christopher is a 31-year old individual who was diagnosed with Intellectual Disability and Down Syndrome at the age of 3 weeks and half. He has been an SDP participant for the last 2 years. We have seen improvement on his development overall. Being able to choose his activities and programs with him, have also make him more confident. We love seeing him enjoy his daily activities and seeing his growth.”
– The Valle Family
What is the Self-Determination Program?
In October of 2013, Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. signed into law the Self-Determination Program, which provided individuals served by regional centers and their families with a new option for receiving regional center services. As authorized in Welfare and Institutions Code, Section 4685.8, “the Self-Determination Program (SDP) is a voluntary delivery system consisting of a mix of services and supports, selected and directed by a participant through person-centered planning, in order to meet the objectives in his or her Individual Program Plan (IPP). Self-determination services and supports are designed to assist the participant in achieving personally defined outcomes in community settings that promote inclusion,” and allow participants to have more control in developing service plans and selecting service providers.
Principles of the Self-Determination Program
Freedom
Freedom to exercise the same rights as all citizens; to establish where to live, with whom, how to occupy time, and who provides supports.
Authority
Authority to control a budget in order to purchase services and supports of their choosing.
Support
Support, including the ability to arrange resources and personnel, which will allow flexibility to live in the community of their choice.
Responsibility
Responsibility that includes the opportunity to take responsibility for making decisions in their own lives and accept a valued role in their community.
Confirmation
Confirmation in making decisions in their own lives by designing and operating the service that they rely on.
Self-Determination Information Sheet
How to Enroll in the Self-Determination Program
Ensure all documents and steps are completed to participate in the Self-Determination Program actively.
1
Register to attend an SDP Orientation.
You can attend presentations by the California State Council on Developmental Disabilities (SCDD).
Don’t forget to inform your Service Coordinator if you are interested in moving forward in SDP!
2
3
Select a Financial Management Services (FMS) provider that you want to work with.
Explore FMS agencies and models. Identify providers, vendors and employees to ensure they are compliant with Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) regulations.
4
Hold a Preplanning Meeting
Collaborate with your regional center service coordinator to review your Individual Program Plan (IPP)/ Person Centered Plan (PCP).
5
SDP Budget
Your regional center service coordinator will provide you with a copy of a budget based on assessed services and unmet needs.
6
Develop a spending plan to identify the services you need to reach your individual goals.
Submit spending plan to Harbor Regional Center.
7
Review of Spending Plan
Your Harbor Regional Center team will review your spending plan and provide you with an approved copy.
8
Documentation to FMS
Paperwork will be completed and provided to your FMS 15 days prior to the start date.
9
“Live” Date
Once all paperwork is in place, you will be live in the SDP! Meet with your service coordinator in the first couple of weeks to finalize your Individual Program Plan (IPP).
Download Steps
Hello SDP participants, please see the new Harbor Spending Plan that will roll out in October 2026! We are aware that the new spending plan may come with questions; we are working on uploading the training slides in different languages.
Spending Plan Review Presentation 09.29.26
History of SDP
The law required that before this program could be made available, the Department of Developmental Services submit an application for federal funding, and that this application be approved for funding by the federal government. This application was approved on June 6, 2018. In the first three years, the program was implemented gradually for up to 2,500 participants in the state using a phased-in approach.
On October 1, 2018, the Department of Developmental Services identified the first group of individuals/families from each regional center that may be enrolled in the Self Determination Program. The program has since become widely available for all eligible individuals on June 7, 2021.
Financial Management Services for SDP
AAA FMS
Available FMS Models: Bill Payer (315) and Co-Employer (316)
ACCURA FMS
Available FMS Models: Bill Payer (315), Co-Employer (316), and Sole-Employer (317)
ACE FMS
Available FMS Models: Bill Payer (315), Co-Employer (316), and Sole-Employer (317)
Action FMS
Available FMS Models: Bill Payer (315), Co-Employer (316), and Sole-Employer (317)
ARCH FMS
Available FMS Models: Bill Payer (315), Sole-Employer (317) and Co-Employer (316)
Aveanna (Premiere Healthcare)
Available FMS Models: Bill Payer (315) and Co-Employer (316)
Cambrian
Available FMS Models: Bill Payer (315), Co-Employer (316), and Sole-Employer (317)
Community Interface Services
Available FMS Models: Bill payer model
Dromen, Inc.
Available FMS Models: Bill Payer (315), Co-Employer (316), Sole Employer (317)
FACT FAMILY
Available FMS Models: Bill Payer (315), Co-Employer (316), and Sole-Employer (317)
GT Independence
Available FMS Models: Bill Payer (315), Co-Employer (316), and Sole-Employer (317)
HR Alliance West
Available FMS Models: Bill Payer (315), Co-Employer (316), and Sole-Employer (317)
Mains’L
Available FMS Models: Bill Payer (315), Co-Employer (316), and Sole-Employer (317)
Public Partnership (PPL)
Available FMS Models: Bill Payer (315) and Sole-Employer (317)
RITZ FMS
Available FMS Models: Bill Payer (315), Co-Employer (316), and Sole-Employer (317)
Ridge Line
Available FMS Models: Bill Payer model, Co-Employer model, Sole Employer model
SENTINEL FOUR FMS
Available FMS Models: Bill Payer (315), Co-Employer (316), and Sole-Employer (317)
SequoiaSD
Available FMS Models: Bill Payer (315) and Sole-Employer (317)
Employer Burden Table
(315) Bill Payer
(316) Co-Employer
(317) Sole-Employer
| Employer Burden | Service Code | Employer Burden |
| AAA | 315 | |
| AAA | 316 | 21.38% |
| ACCURA | 315 | |
| ACCURA | 316 | 22.50% |
| ACCURA | 317 | 16.10% |
| ACE | 315 | |
| ACE | 316 | (24.86% EBR + 0.14% OERC) = 25% |
| ACE | 15.68% | |
| Action | 315 | |
| Action | 316 | (19.86% + 4% for OREC) = 24% |
| Action | 317 | 17% |
| ARCH | 315 | |
| ARCH | 316 | 19.86% |
| ARCH | 317 | 14.27% |
| Aveanna | 315 | |
| Aveanna | 316 | 14.27% plus sick 3.3% |
| Cambrian | 315 | |
| Cambrian | 316 | 25% |
| Cambrian | 317 | 25% |
| Dromen, Inc. | 315 | |
| Dromen, Inc. | 316 | 20.30% |
| Dromen, Inc. | 317 | 15.98% |
| FACT FAMILY | 315 | |
| FACT FAMILY | 316 | 20% |
| FACT FAMILY | 317 | 20% |
| GT Independence | 315 | |
| GT Independence | 316 | 19.45% |
| GT Independence | 317 | 16.71% |
| HR Alliance West | 315 | |
| HR Alliance West | 316 | 22.77% |
| HR Alliance West | 317 | 16.30% |
| Mains’l | 315 | |
| Mains’l | 316 | 17.13% |
| Mains’l | 317 | 17.23% |
| Public Partnership (PPL) | 315 | |
| Public Partnership (PPL) | 317 | 17.54% |
| RITZ | 315 | |
| RITZ | 316 | 19.45% |
| RITZ | 317 | 19.45% |
| SENTINEL FOUR | 315 | |
| SENTINEL FOUR | 316 | 20.94% |
| SENTINEL FOUR | 317 | 14.87% |
| SequoiaSD | 315 | |
| SequoiaSD | 317 | 20.64% |
Self-Determination Program FAQs
Download FAQs
Self-Determination Program Enrolled Participant Survey FY 2024-2025
In March and April 2025, Harbor conducted its first Annual Self-Determination Program (SDP) Enrolled Participant Survey. The survey was made available to individuals and families enrolled in SDP at Harbor for at least a year. The survey gathered feedback on participants’ level of agreement with key statements about the program, their satisfaction with key SDP components, and the barriers and challenges they have faced.
Some key highlights from the findings include:
- Almost all (90%) survey respondents were family members of individuals enrolled in SDP.
- More than half (52%) have been enrolled in SDP for two to three years.
- When asked to rate their overall agreement about SDP, between 67% and 98% of survey respondents agreed or strongly agreed with the ten (10) statements presented. Agreement was highest for statements such as:
- Services and supports are person-centered – 98%
- My needs are being met – 94%
- I would recommend SDP to others – 94%
- When asked to rate their satisfaction, between 56% and 90% were satisfied or very satisfied with nine (9) SDP components. Satisfaction was highest for the following components:
- Developing a budget – 90%
- Creating a person-centered plan – 90%
Learn more about the annual survey process and view detailed results.
Self-Determination Program (SDP) Resources
Self-Determination Advisory Committee (SDAC)
The Harbor Regional Center Self-Determination Advisory Committee (SDAC) provides input and oversight for the future implementation of the Self-Determination Program. SDAC meetings typically take place on the 1st Wednesday of the month and are open to the public.
Wednesday
November 04
6pm
Self-Determination Advisory Committee Meeting
Wednesday
December 02
6pm
Self-Determination Advisory Committee Meeting