Self-Determination 

“Self-determination” means a voluntary delivery system consisting of a defined and comprehensive mix of services and supports, selected and directed by a participant through person-centered planning, in order to meet the objectives in their IPP. Self-determination services and supports are designed to assist the participant to achieve personally defined outcomes in community settings that promote inclusion.”

California Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC 4685.8

OPTION A

Availability of up to $2,500 for initial person-centered planning and transition supports through purchase reimbursement (service code 024) or through a vendored provider of person-centered planning services.

DEADLINE 31-DECEMBER 2023

OPTION B

Availability of up to $1,000 for initial person-centered planning services through purchase reimbursement (service code 024) and up to 40 hours of Self-Directed Supports (service code 099).

NO DEADLINE

THIS WILL BECOME THE SOLE OPTION

1-JANUARY 2024

Our Services

    • Person-centered support to navigate the Process from Orientation to launch of Self Determination Plan (SDP)

    • Discuss, plan and create - Individual Program Plan (IPP) (in-person and virtual)

    • Discuss, plan and facilitate the Person-Centered Plan (PCP)

    • Navigate the system and resource for participants and families (in-person and virtual)

    • Connect the provided Individual Budget to Spending Plan for goal alignment, community integration and self-directed living

    • Collaborate with Financial Management Services (FMS) for transparency and required services

  • Providing person-centered support with initial self-determination meetings to determine the need for community supports, programs and services related to an individuals living, employment, community participation, health and safety.

  • In-person and virtual assessments to determine an individual’s current skill level related to living, employment, community participation, health and safety. Asking “Where are you now and where do you want to be?”

  • Creating and sustaining person-centered workforce development supports to develop, acquire and retaining skills related to an individual’s career goals.

  • Collaborative coordination of care with an individual’s parents, caregivers, school personnel, employer, health providers and other professionals to align goals for cohesive person-centered care.

  • Linkage

What is an Independent Facilitator?

An Independent Facilitator means a person, selected and directed by the participant, who is not otherwise providing services to the participant pursuant to their Individual Program Plan (IPP). The service or function is intended to assist the participant to plan for and access services to implement needed services identified in the participant’s Individual Program Plan. The services may include, but are not limited to:

1. Participate in the Person-Centered Planning (PCP) process.

2. Identify immediate and long-term needs, preferences, goals and objectives of the participant for developing the Individual Program Plan (IPP).

3. Make informed decisions about the individual budget.

4. Develop options to meet the identified immediate and long-term needs and access community services and supports specified in the Individual Program Plan (IPP).

5. Advocate on behalf of the participant in the person-centered planning process and development of the Individual Program Plan (IPP), obtaining identified services and supports.

The participant/family may hire, or contract with an Independent Facilitator, and shall specify in the Individual Program Plan (IPP) the activities which the Independent Facilitator will conduct. A participant may elect to use his or her regional center service coordinator to fulfill the functions of an Independent Facilitator, instead of contracting with, or using the service of an independent facilitator. This service does not duplicate services provided by the participant’s service coordinator.

5 Principles of Self Determination 

  1. Freedom 

  2. Authority

  3. Support

  4. Responsibility 

  5. Confirmation

RATES

Do you need assistance for you to plan and achieve your goals for a self-directed life?

Transitioning into Self-Determination Program (SDP)

For individuals not yet enrolled OR in the process of enrolling in the Self-Determination Program.

Initial Independent Facilitation Services can include an intake assessment for goals related to living arrangements, employment, community participation, health and safety to prepare for the individual’s Person-Centered Planning (PCP) meeting and Individualized Program Plan (IPP) meeting. During this phase, baseline data collection will include: what has been working (glows), what needs additional support (grows), what to maintain (keep), and something new to try (manifest).

  • INITIAL CONSULTATION (Total Service Hours: 2 hours)

    • 60 minutes/1 hour - synchronous

    • 60 minutes/1 hour documentation/reporting

    Total Cost for Service: $200

  • Identify needs of the individual transitioning into the Self-Determination Program (SDP), create a person-centered self-directed Plan of Action (POA) for next steps including coordinating with Regional Center, Financial Management Service (FMS), and setting up meeting times for Individual Program Plan (IPP), Person Centered Planning (PCP) Meeting, and contract between the individual being served and Independent Facilitator (IF).

    • Initial ‘Meet and Greet’ between Independent Facilitator, Individual and related support staff (at the discretion of the individual)

      • Preferred Method of Communication - in-person/virtual, telephone or email

    • Identify individual’s ‘Circle of Support’

    • Determine level of involvement between individual and Independent Facilitator (IF) for Person Centered Planning (PCP) Meeting and Individualized Program Plan (IPP).

    • Formally written summary report - Pre-Planning Summary Report

      • This document can be used to support an individuals with their Individualized Program Plan (IPP) meeting with the Regional Center

        • Includes: Glows, grows, keep and manifest

    • Review Contract - Individual to review ‘Independent Facilitator Contract’ and electronically sign

    • Schedule Next Meeting - Person Centered Planning (PCP) Pre-Planning Meeting

Person Centered Planning (PCP)

For individuals enrolled in the Self-Determination Program (SDP).

Person Centered Planning (PCP) Independent Facilitation Services can include pre-planning for the individual’s Person Centered Planning (PCP) meeting, Independent Facilitator (IF) leading the Person Centered Planning (PCP) meeting, documenting and planning for person-centered self-directed short- and long-term needs, identifying new and unmet needs, and compiling all information from pre-planning and meeting times to create the Person Centered Plan (PCP) to be presented at the Individual Program Plan (IPP) meeting. This phase is to determine the main domains and areas to support an individual to live a self-directed life with the least restrictions to achieve person-centered community integration.

  • Person Centered Planning (PCP) - (Total Service Hours: 12 hours)

    • 240 minutes/4 hours - synchronous planning

    • 180 minutes/4 hours - asynchronous document creation

    • 180 minutes/3 hours - synchronous advocacy/facilitation PCP meeting

    • 60 minutes/1 hour - asynchronous PCP meeting follow-up

    Total Cost for Service: $1,750

  • A Person Centered Planning (PCP) meeting is a self-directed meeting for an individual in the Self-Determination Program (SDP) to advocate for themselves to plan their future. This meeting includes the individual, their chosen support team (i.e. job coach, Independent Facilitator (IF), family members and friends), and the Regional Center (RC) staff (i.e. Service Coordinator, Social Worker, and other clinical staff). The Independent Facilitator (IF) will act as an advocate during the meeting to support the individual with communicating their goals, services and community engagement using the Person Centered Planning (PCP) report and One Pager.

    • Formally written summary report - Person Centered Planning (PCP) report

      • Send to individual, Regional Center (RC) Service Coordinator, and other support team members specified by the individual

    • Formally written summary report - Person Centered Planning (PCP) meeting notes

    • Formally written support document - One Pager

    • OPTIONAL - Independent Facilitator (IF) leads Person Centered Planning (PCP) meeting with individual, chosen support team and Regional Center (RC) staff

    • OPTIONAL - Face-to-face advocacy time at the Person Centered Planning (PCP) meeting

    • Request Regional Center (RC) Service Coordinator for previous 12 Month Expenditure Report (if applicable) for review

    • Communicate with Service Coordinator chosen Financial Management Service (FMS) provider

      • Individual to complete intake with selected Financial Management Service (FMS) provider

      • Identify Financial Management Service (FMS) model is most supportive (ie. Bill Payer, Sole Employer, or Co-Employer)

    • Coordinate with Service Coordinator date of Person Centered Planning (PCP) Meeting

    • Schedule the initial Individual Program Plan (IPP) meeting date with Regional Center (RC)

      • This meeting needs to be held a minimum of every three years and as frequent as every year

      • Multiple meetings may occur based on the negotiation process with the Regional Center

    • IF NEEDED - Submit denial letters to Regional Center (RC) for service approval

    • IF NEEDED - Identify any assessments needed for new services

Individualized Program Plan (IPP)

For individuals who are already in the Self-Determination Program (SDP) and want support and assistance during the Individualized Program Plan (IPP) process.

Key areas of support is presenting the Person Centered Plan (PCP) to the Regional Center (RC) staff that identifies immediate and long-term needs, developing options to meet those needs, and advocating on behalf of the participant and obtaining identified services and supports to be reflected in the budget. Identifying the total amount of the last 12 months of service expenditures for the individual and adjusting based on addition or removal of services. This includes identifying in the cost analysis underutilized and unmet service needs from the previous year.

This phase of the Self Determination Program (SDP) process can require multiple meetings. The rate for this service is a block of time and includes the following:

  • Individualized Program Plan (IPP) Services - (Total Service Hours: 2.5 hours)

    • 60 minutes/1 hour - synchronous meeting (in-person/virtual)

    • 60 minutes/1 hour - asynchronous advocacy/follow-up

    • 30 minutes/0.5 hours - asynchronous reporting)

    Total Cost for Services - $250

  • Individualized Program Plan (IPP) Independent Facilitation Services can include collaborating with Regional Center (RC) for the certified budget process, supporting with developing the Spending Plan, establishing generic, vendored, community, and novel service providers to accomplish goals, communicating with Financial Management Service (FMS) for staff/employee onboarding, background check, payroll and scheduling. After the PCP meeting coordinating with Service Coordinator with finalization of follow-up with denial letters, certified budget, and spending plan.

    • Synchronous meeting time (in-person/virtual) with individual (optional: circle of support, Regional Center (RC) staff, Financial Management Service (FMS))

    • Formally written summary report - Individualized Program Plan (IPP) meeting notes that detail the committed actions steps to resolution (solved or needs more support)

    • Budget negotiation and conversation with individual, circle of support, and Regional Center (RC) until the budget reflects the needs and of the individual. The Independent Facilitator (IF) is responsible for advocating on behalf of the individual to secure funding to support the specified goals.

    • Spending Plan support is provided to create a detailed allocation of the negotiated budget with the Regional Center (RC) and includes identifying the cost of each line item. Additional costs to be included in the spending plan are line items: Financial Management Service (FMS) (REQUIRED SERVICE), Independent Facilitator (IF) costs (OPTIONAL SERVICE), Employee costs (employee benefits, payroll taxes and insurance).

    • Advocacy and follow-up with specified team members to support with committed actions steps for a solution to the situation, relaying information to the team, Regional Center (RC), or any other involved parties for transparency and additional support if needed.

      • Connect new staff and related service providers to Financial Management Service (FMS) for onboarding and payroll

      • All new staff and related service providers to complete background checks before starting services

    • Supporting with identifying transition date for new plan, including staff scheduling and verifying purchase of services.

    • Send completed Spending Plan once aligned to Person Centered Planning (PCP) goals to Regional Center (RC) Service Coordinator

    • Confirm with Regional Center (RC) Service Coordinator final approval to transition into new plan (including budget, spending planning, Financial Management Service (FMS), related service providers) and submitting any other related documentation needed to successfully carry out Individualized Program Plan (IPP)

      • Regional Center (RC) Service Coordinator to send Spending Plan to identified Financial Management Service (FMS) provider

    • (7) “Spending Plan” means the plan the participant develops to use their available individual budget funds to purchase goods, services, and supports necessary to implement their individual program plan (IPP). The spending plan shall identify the cost of each good, service, and support that will be purchased with regional center funds. The total amount of the spending plan cannot exceed the amount of the individual budget. A copy of the spending plan shall be attached to the participant’s IPP.

      • https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=WIC&sectionNum=4685.8.

On-going Independent Facilitation Services

For individuals who are already in the Self-Determination Program (SDP).

This is for ongoing assistance in accomplishing identified goals in the Person Centered Plan (PCP), maintaining ongoing service negotiation and community integration, dvocating on behalf of the participant and obtaining identified services and supports and participating as a related service provider in other meetings and follow-ups that benefit the individual in leading a self-directed life. Also, supporting with Financial Management Service (FMS), hired staff and employee management, and preparing for the following year’s meetings and review.

This phase of the Self Determination Program (SDP) process can require multiple meetings. The rate for this service is a block of time and includes the following:

  • On-going Independent Facilitation Services - (Total Service Hours: 2.5 hours)

    • 60 minutes/1 hour - synchronous meeting (in-person/virtual)

    • 60 minutes/1 hour - asynchronous advocacy/follow-up

    • 30 minutes/0.5 hours - asynchronous reporting)

    Total Cost for Services - $250

  • Ongoing Independent Facilitation Services can include tracking spending and coordinating with the Financial Management Service (FMS), revising and resubmitting the spending plan, advocacy, identifying services (generic and novel), community resources, staffing support, negotiating for vendor and service prices, collaborating with related support team, assist with Person-Center Plan (PCP) goals, and preparing for the following years Person-Center Plan (PCP).

    • Synchronous meeting time (in-person/virtual) with individual (optional: circle of support, Regional Center (RC) staff, Financial Management Service (FMS), hired staff)

    • Formally written summary report - ‘Who, what, where, when, why and next steps’ that details what the purpose of the service was for and committed actions steps to resolution (solved or needs more support)

    • Advocacy and follow-up with specified team members to support with committed actions steps for a solution to the situation, relaying information to the team, Regional Center (RC), or any other involved parties for transparency and additional support if needed.

Selecting an Independent Facilitator

If an SDP participant chooses to hire one or more independent facilitators, the costs for those services are negotiated between the independent facilitator and the participant, and are paid from the participant’s individual budget. Participants decide what services they need from a facilitator and may choose to have more than one facilitator that fulfill different roles. The individual’s budget shall not be increased to cover the cost of the independent facilitator(s).

Department of Developmental Services (2018) Independent Facilitator Directive

INDEPENDENT FACILITATOR

FIVE COMPETENCY DOMAINS

  1. Strengths-based culturally informed, whole person-focused

  2. Cultivating connections inside the system and out

  3. Rights, choice, control

  4. Partnership, teamwork, communication and facilitation

  5. Documentation, implementation and monitoring

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Community Living

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SELF DETERMINATION RESOURCES

Department of Developmental Services

Self-Determination Program – Frequently Asked Questions

Disability Rights California (DRC)

Rights Under the Lanterman Act (RULA)

What are Financial Management Services (FMS)?

Statewide Self-Determination Program Orientation

NLACRC Self Determination Orientation Manual

Welcome to

Self-Determination

The Self-Determination Program Network

What are Regional Centers (RC)?

Autism Support Community Self Determination Resource Links

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