Guiding California families through SDP, IEPs, and regional center services
Person-centered plans, realistic budgets, and a partner who handles the paperwork, so your family can focus on your child.
Where are you right now?
Moving into the Self-Determination Program
We guide you from orientation through the Person-Centered Plan, budget approval, and your start date.
Independent FacilitationRenewals, spending plans, and FMS paperwork
We keep your plan and budget current, prepare for each renewal, and handle the back-and-forth with your FMS and regional center.
Independent FacilitationA prepared advocate at the IEP table
We help you set measurable goals, request assessments or an IEE, and follow up so the plan reflects your child’s real needs.
Education AdvocacyUnderstand eligibility, services, and your rights
One-on-one guidance on regional center eligibility, SDP, IEP and 504 plans, IHSS, and appeals.
Parent Education
- Independent FacilitatorTrained through Guidelight Group
- Regional center familiesWestside & Inland Regional Centers
- SDP-funded servicesPaid from your SDP budget
- English & MandarinMeetings explained in your language
Support for every stage, from first questions to yearly renewals
Whether you are just learning about regional center services or already in the Self-Determination Program, we help you understand your options and follow through.
Independent Facilitation
Moving into the Self-Determination Program and every year after.
- Person-Centered Plan
- Budget and spending plan
- Providers and FMS
Education Advocacy
A calm, prepared advocate at your child’s IEP meetings.
- Measurable IEP goals
- Assessments and IEE requests
- NPS and due process support
Parent Education
One-on-one guidance so you understand your options and rights.
- Regional center eligibility
- IEP vs. 504 plans
- IHSS and appeals
Six steps into the Self-Determination Program, with us at each one
Select a step to see what happens and how we help.
Learn and decide
Every family attends a Self-Determination Program orientation, then decides with their service coordinator whether SDP is the right fit.
How we help
- Explain how SDP compares with traditional regional center services
- Help you weigh flexibility against the extra planning
- Prepare your questions for the service coordinator
Person-Centered Plan
The Person-Centered Plan (PCP) describes who your loved one is and what a good life looks like for them. It shapes every service that follows.
How we help
- Interview your family in English or Mandarin
- Write a complete, organized PCP report
- Turn your priorities into concrete goals
Individual budget
The regional center sets an individual budget, usually based on past spending. If needs have changed, you can ask for an adjustment.
How we help
- Review how the budget was calculated
- Document changed needs and request adjustments (possible, not guaranteed)
- Keep the budget current through the year
Spending plan
The spending plan lists the services you will buy with your budget, from social skills and respite to community integration and tutoring.
How we help
- Build the spending plan with the right service codes
- Include Independent Facilitation (service code 340)
- Revise the plan when needs change
FMS and providers
A Financial Management Service (FMS) pays your providers from the approved budget. Each provider needs to be set up before services start.
How we help
- Coordinate onboarding with ACE, Action, Ritz, FMS Pay, and others
- Find and check providers that fit SDP rules
- Assist with invoices and paperwork for the FMS
Start and renew
Once everything is approved, services start. Each year the plan and budget are reviewed and renewed.
How we help
- Track spending so there are no surprises
- Prepare for each annual renewal meeting
- Fix and resubmit plans the regional center sends back
Can SDP pay for this? Often, yes.
Independent Facilitator services are paid from the participant’s SDP budget under service code 340. Other services may be included in your spending plan when your regional center approves them.
- We invoice your Financial Management Service directly
- Families usually pay nothing out of pocket once the service is in the spending plan
- We help you add the right services to your plan from the start
Funding depends on your approved budget and spending plan. We review your situation with you before you commit to anything.
Families of children and adults with developmental disabilities
Considering SDP
Families thinking about the Self-Determination Program, or ready to move into it.
Already in SDP
Families who want steady help with each year’s plan, budget, and renewal.
Preparing for an IEP
Parents who want an experienced advocate in the room.
New to the system
Regional center eligibility, IHSS, appeals, and school supports.
Mandarin-speaking families
Every step translated and explained clearly.
Adults and their families
SDP planning and renewals for adult family members too.
我们提供普通话服务
从区域中心申请、自主决定计划（SDP）到 IEP 会议，我们用中文为您逐步翻译和解释，让您完全理解并参与每一个决定。
Frequently asked questions
Don’t see your question? Ask us through the contact form.
What is the Self-Determination Program (SDP)?
SDP is a California regional center program that gives individuals and families more choice and control over their services. You build a person-centered plan and an individual budget, then choose the providers that fit your family. A Financial Management Service (FMS) pays providers from the approved budget.
Can SDP pay for your services?
Often, yes. Independent Facilitator services are paid from the participant’s SDP budget under service code 340. Education advocacy and parent education may also be included in an SDP spending plan when your regional center approves them. When a service is in your approved spending plan, families usually pay nothing out of pocket.
Do you work with Mandarin-speaking families?
Yes. Vanessa works with families in English and Mandarin Chinese, including translating and explaining at IEP and regional center meetings. 查看中文页面
Which regional centers do you work with?
Our main focus is Westside Regional Center (WRC). We also serve families with Inland Regional Center (IRC), and consider families from other regional centers case by case, including North Los Angeles County Regional Center (NLACRC), San Gabriel/Pomona Regional Center (SG/PRC), and Regional Center of Orange County (RCOC).
Do you work with adults as well as children?
Yes. Much of our experience is with children, including many autistic children, and we also support adults with developmental disabilities and their families.
Ready to talk about your family’s next step?
Tell us where you are, and we’ll follow up to walk through your options. Many services can be paid for with SDP funds.