Self Determination
Self Determination is a way for the people we serve to have more authority and freedom in how their services and supports are planned and implemented.
Overview of the Self Determination Program
This video is approximately 34 minutes long. It is a quick overview of the Self Determination Program and watching it does not fulfill the requirements to be part of the program.
What is Self Determination?
Self-Determination was developed as a voluntary alternative to the traditional way of providing regional center services and is intended to offer people more freedom and control over how their services are provided and more freedom and control in who supports them.
Self-Determination is having a choice in all areas of your life including where you want to live, how you will spend your time each day and who you will spend your time with. It’s about having hopes and dreams for the future and developing goals to go after them. It’s about being in control, making your own decisions, spending money your way.
The statewide Self-Determination Program adheres to the following principles to ensure those who participate have:
- Freedom – You plan your own life and make your own decisions, just like people without disabilities are able to do
- Authority – You decide how money is spent for your services and supports
- Support – You pick the people and supports that will help you live, work and play in your community
- Responsibility – To make decisions in your life for using public money and to accept your valued role in the community
- Confirmation – You are the most important person when making plans for your life. You are the decision maker about your services. Self-Determination means “nothing about you without you.”
How is the Self Determination Program different than the traditional program?
Self-Determination provides the flexibility in choosing your services, supports and providers. In the Self Determination Program, you can buy different services from almost anyone in your community, not just those through the regional center. In the traditional program, your service coordinator from the regional center is the person who helps you find the services you need. In Self-Determination, you get to decide who you want to help you. This can be your family, friends, or an Independent Facilitator. You will be given a budget and you will choose which services and supports to use to meet your goals.
To participate in the Self Determination Program, a person must:
- Be eligible for Regional Center services
- Attend an Orientation to the Self Determination Program
- Use Self-Determination Program funds only when generic services are not available
- Only purchase services necessary to implement the Individual Program Plan
- Manage services and supports within an individual budget
- Use a Financial Management Services provider
Self Determination Fact Sheet
View our Self Determination Fact Sheet in the following languages:
SDP Orientations
Attending an orientation is required if you wish to join the Self Determination Program. As of April 2026, ELARC will no longer be providing Orientations, as the Department has created a training standardized for all of California. Please view the information below if you wish to attend an Orientation.
ELARC will follow up with you once you have completed the orientation.
Statewide Self-Determination Program Orientations
The Department of Developmental Services (DDS) has partnered with California State Council on Developmental Disabilities (SCDD) to provide statewide orientations and trainings to all participants and families who are interested in participating in the Self-Determination Program (SDP).
The SCDD Orientations will be provided in two (2) parts: Part 1 and Part 2. You will need to attend both parts if you wish to start the process of transitioning into Self Determination. These Orientations will be offered on different days and times as well as in a variety of languages.
For more information and to register, visit the SCDD SDP Orientation webpage here.
A certificate of completion will be provided at the completion of the sessions. Please provide this certificate to your Service Coordinator, so we may follow up with you.
DDS Self Determination FAQs
The DDS website has a Self Determination Frequently Asked Questions page where you can find answers to some general questions about the program. If you don't find an answer to your question, please reach out to your Service Coordinator or write to us at sdp@elarc.org.
Status updates of the program will be posted to the DDS page as they become available. If you want to be notified when updates are made, please email sdp@dds.ca.gov and ask to be included on the notification list.
Additional Information
Questions regarding Self Determination at ELARC? Please email us at SDP@elarc.org.
Visit ELARC's Self Determination Local Advisory Committee page for more information about the committee and their meetings.
Department of Developmental Services Office of the Ombudsperson for Self-Determination
The Ombudsperson assists and supports persons served by regional centers, Self-Determination participants and their families to engage participate in the program.