What is the Self-Determination Program?

Are you a regional center client?
Did you know you can choose between the Traditional System and the Self-Determination Program (SDP)?

The SDP empowers you to make your own choices about the services and supports you receive, using a personalized budget to meet your unique needs. Take control of your life with the flexibility and freedom the program offers.

LEARN MORE

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The DVU SDP Conference is Coming!

Self-Determination Program:
The Best Kept Secret

Save the Date!
August 23, 2025

Flyer in English
Folleto en español

The Five Principles of the
Self-Determination Program

Freedom

The ability of adults with developmental disabilities to exercise the same rights as all citizens to establish, with freely chosen supporters, family and friends, where they want to live, with whom they want to live, how their time will be occupied, and who supports them; and for families to have the freedom to receive unbiased assistance of their own choosing when developing a plan and to select all personnel and supports to further the life goals of a minor child.

Authority

The ability of a person with a disability, or family, to control a certain sum of dollars in order to purchase services and supports of their choosing.

Support

The ability to arrange resources and personnel, both formal and informal, that will assist a person with a disability to live a life in the community that is rich in community participation and contributions.

Responsibility

The ability of participants to take responsibility for decisions in their own lives and to be accountable for the use of public dollars, and to accept a valued role in their community through, for example, competitive employment, organizational affiliations, spiritual development, and general caring of others in their community.

Confirmation

Confirmation of the critical role of participants and their families in making decisions in their own lives and designing and operating the system that they rely on.

Self-Determination Program
Monthy Zoom Meet-Ups

I Get to Choose! Intro to the
Self‑Determination Program

New to the SDP? This session is perfect for you! Discover what the program is, who can join, and why it’s considered the regional center’s best-kept secret.

  • Hear from current participants.
  • Meet others starting their journey.
  • Bring all your questions!


1st Friday of every month
12:00 – 1:00 PM
On Zoom
Closed Captioning, Spanish, and Korean interpretation provided.

REGISTER

Think Outside the Box

Step-by-Step SDP Transition for Participants
Explore every step of the transition process in detail, including:

  • Transition supports
  • Budgeting
  • Spending plans
  • Financial management services


4th Wednesday of every month
4:30 – 6:00 PM
On Zoom
Closed Captioning, Spanish, and Korean interpretation provided.

REGISTER

SDP Connect

An interactive Zoom meeting for everyone involved in or interested in the Self‑Determination Program across California:

  • SDP participants and their families
  • Independent facilitators
  • Financial Management Services (FMS) providers
  • Regional center staff
  • Service providers.


2nd Wednesday of every month
4:30 – 6:00 PM
On Zoom
Closed Captioning, Spanish, and Korean interpretation provided.

REGISTER

Recordings of Previous SDP Meetings

WATCH PREVIOUS MEETINGS