Self Determination

What is Self Determination?

A new service-delivery model for those served by regional center who wish to have more flexibility and choice with their services. Adults with disabilities, or families of children with disabilities, with the support of people they trust, taking charge of their own futures by gaining control over the services, supports and resources they need. You decide what services you’d like and who should provide them. Self Determination is a voluntary program.

How does it work?

  1. You start with a PERSON-CENTERED PLAN (PCP)

  2. You may get help from an INDEPENDENT FACILITATOR (IF)

1. Person-Centered Plan

A Person-Centered Plan (PCP) reflects the individual’s present and future life goals including wants, needs, and services and supports required to help them reach their goals to have a safe and meaningful life in the community. The individual chooses what is most important to them through this process. It is up to them who they choose to include in the process (family, friends, providers). This written plan will be used to help design the individual program plan (IPP) with the regional center.

2. Independent Facilitator (IF)

An Independent Facilitator (IF) is someone you hire to help you. Hiring a facilitator is optional. You pay for the independent facilitator out of your budget, but you can get a facilitator for free if you have a family member of friend willing to take on the task— but they have to be trained and qualified. Your regional center Service Coordinator may also serve as a your no-cost independent facilitator. Your Independent Facilitator helps you find the services and supports you need. Some of your supports will be free and come from your family, friends, and other people you know. Some of your services will be paid for out of your budget. Your Independent Facilitator helps you find and hire the right people to support you and to decide how much they should be paid. The Independent Facilitator makes sure everyone you hire is qualified and that you don’t spend more money than you have in your budget.