About the Self-Determination Program

The world deserves to experience your light. You’re not a problem to be fixed. You’re a unique individual with your own strengths, needs, and goals. If you need more support than other people, that’s okay. There is nothing wrong with that. You are not a burden. There is a reason you are here.

The Self-Determination Program (SDP) is a flexible alternative to the traditional service system for people who have developmental disabilities. Both systems support you, but SDP gives you more control over how your services are planned and delivered. And unlike the traditional system which only focuses on weaknesses and disability symptoms, the self-determination program is about who you are as a whole.

In the traditional system, your Regional Center picks from a list of pre-approved services and providers. While this can get the job done, it doesn’t leave much room for personal choice. Your options are limited, and you may not have as much of a say, which often leads to needs being left unmet.

The Self-Determination Program is completely different. You are given a budget that will be spent on services and supports that truly fit your individual goals, based on your person centered plan.

This is where I step in. A person centered plan is a roadmap designed entirely around you—your goals, strengths, needs, and dreams. It focuses on what’s most important to you, what’s unique about you, and what supports, services, and resources will help you achieve the life you want. As an independent facilitator, I will walk you through this process and advocate for you every step of the way.