To participate, a person must be a regional center consumer and agree to program requirements, including attending an approved SDP orientation, using SDP funds only when generic services are not available, purchasing only services necessary to implement the Individual Program Plan (IPP), managing services within an individual budget, and working with a Financial Management Services (FMS) providerwestsiderc.org.
Steps to Join SDP
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1. Confirm Eligibility
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2. Attend a Mandatory Orientation
The first step is to complete a certified orientation. The State Council on Developmental Disabilities (SCDD) and the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) offer a two‑hour statewide orientation module that defines the program, introduces its principles, explains how to join, outlines the key roles (Service Coordinator, Independent Facilitator, FMS provider) and discusses next stepsscdd.ca.gov. Regional centers also host orientations; many, like the Westside Regional Center, require families to complete an online course and follow up with a live virtual sessionwestsiderc.org. After finishing both parts, participants receive a certificate of completion, and the service coordinator is notified that the person may begin Self‑Determinationwestsiderc.org.
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4. Select a Financial Management Service (FMS) and Providers
Each SDP participant must choose an FMS provider to manage payroll, taxes, and accounting for serviceswestsiderc.org. Participants may then hire their own staff or contract with vendored and non‑vendored providers, provided the spending plan stays within the approved budget.
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5. Finalize and Start Services
Once the Person‑Centered Plan and Spending Plan are approved by the regional center and the FMS agreement is in place, the individual can begin using SDP funds to purchase the agreed‑upon services. Participants are encouraged to keep track of expenditures and review their plans regularly with their Service Coordinator and FMS providerwestsiderc.org.