Self-Determination Program
A Step-by-Step Guide for Clients
WHY THE GUIDE?
Navigating a new program can sometimes make us feel lost. This series includes a collection of checklists to guide you on your path to enrollment.
NEED MORE INFORMATION?
Valerie Bane, SDP Specialist [email protected]
READY TO START?
Contact Your Service Coordinator
Enrollment Process at a Glance
SDP empowers individuals to have more control in developing their service plans and selecting service providers to better meet their needs.
Attend an Orientation (mandatory)
Create a Person-Centered Plan (optional)
Select an Independent Facilitator (optional)
Get the Budget Certified
Select a Financial Management Service Provider
Build a Spending Plan
Select and Hire Service Providers
Complete Paperwork with the Financial Management Service Provider
Attend the Final Individual Program Plan Meeting
Begin Services on the First Day of the Following Month[Type here]
Self - Determination Program
A Step-by-Step Guide for Clients
Step 1
Orientation
This meeting kicks off the many opportunities you will have to become well-informed about the receiving services under the Self-Determination Program.
During the orientation, you will hear, in detail, information about the program. The goal is to assist you in discovering not only the opportunities but also the increased responsibilities involved in accepting more control over coordinating your services.
Understanding this information will help individuals decide if the Self-Determination
Program might be a good option for them.
Registration is Required
Please visit the Self-Determination Program page of our website to register in advance for any of the upcoming orientation dates.
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Self - Determination Program
A Step-by-Step Guide for Clients
Step 2
Person-Centered Planning (PCP)
An Optional Next Step: While creating a person-centered plan is not required, the creation process and the content in the final document have incredible value. This is an opportunity for you to share with the regional center the goals you have for the upcoming 12 months and the services needed to achieve them.
If you choose not to complete and submit a person-centered plan, please be prepared to share these ideas with your service
coordinator in an alternate way.
You can complete the PCP on your own or hire a Person- Centered Planner to help you. Be sure to inform your service coordinator if you choose to hirea planner.
Invite trusted members of your circles of support. Designate one of the attendees to document the brainstorming session and prepare the final plan.
Hold Person-Centered Planning Meeting to determine the answers to the following:•
What is working / not working with your current support?•
Are there any unmet needs?•
What are your hopes and dreams?•
What do I need to achieve those goals?
Develop Written Person-Centered Plan
Submit the Person-Centered Plan to Your Service Coordinator[Type here]
Self - Determination Program
A Step-by-Step Guide for Clients
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Self - Determination Program
A Step-by-Step Guide for Clients
Step 3
Independent Facilitator (IF)
An Optional Next Step: Many clients who have transitioned to SDP have found it helpful to hire an individual or agency to support them throughout the entire process.
The individual or agency in this role may assist with some or all of the tasks below.
•
Make Informed Decisions Regarding the Spending Plan•
Locate, Access and Coordinate the Services and Supports in Your Individual Program Plan•
Identify Your Needs and Find Service Providers and Options to Meet those Needs•
Lead, Participate or Advocate on Your Behalf During the Person-Centered Planning process and the Development of the Individual Program Plan
An Independent Facilitator MUST:
•
Not Provide Any Other Services for YouAn Independent Facilitator MAY:
•
Be Paid from Your Individual Budget•
Be a Service Coordinator•
Be a Family MemberSelf - Determination Program
A Step-by-Step Guide for Clients
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Step 4
Individual Budget
Ask Your Service Coordinator to Provide You with the Amount of Funds That Were Spent on Your Services in the Last 12 Months
•
Determine If Any Adjustments Need to Be Made for Unmet Needs
To Determine if the Amount of Funds in Your Budget Can Be Re-Evaluated, Confirm Whether or Not One of the Approved Conditions Exists
•
Unmet Need: If there was a needed service in your IPP was not used or not addressed in the Individual Program Plan, then it can be considered forinclusion in the individual budget.
•
Change in Circumstance: If you experience a life change that is accompanied by a change in needs, then it can be considered for inclusion in the budgetSelf - Determination Program
A Step-by-Step Guide for Clients
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Step 5
Financial Management Service Provider (FMS)
Consider the Different FMS ModelsAsk Yourself: “Will I have employees?”
•
BILL PAYER: If the Answer is “NO,” Then Consider This Model
•
SOLE EMPLOYER: If the Answer is “YES,” and You Want Full Authority over Your Employees, Then Consider This Model
•
CO-EMPLOYER: If the Answer is “YES,” and You Want to Share the Responsibility of Being an Employer, Then Consider This Model
Interview Different FMS Providers
Select Your FMS Provider and Inform Your Service Coordinator
Interview Service Providers and Staff You Want to Hire (if appropriate)
Work with Your FMS Provider Representative to:
Conduct Formal Background Checks for All Personal Care Staff
Sign Agreements with All ProvidersSelf - Determination Program
A Step-by-Step Guide for Clients
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Step 6
Spending Plan
RequirementsAll Services and Supports within the Spending Plan Must Support Choice and Inclusion and Meet HCBS Guidelines. Service
Providers May Be Vendored or Non-Vendored with the Regional Center.
Developing the PlanConsider the following when determining how the funds will be used:
Identify the Service Needs Which Are Identified in the Person-Centered Plan and documented in the Individual Program Plan
Identify All Generic Resources
Identify the Parameters of Each Service (including What, How Long, How Oftenand the Cost)
Select Your FMS Provider and Model
Conduct Your Spending Plan Meeting with Your Support TeamMeet with Your Service Coordinator, FMS Representative and, if Selected, Your Independent Facilitator to Develop the Structure of the Spending Plan
Submit the Spending Plan to the North Bay Regional Center for Review Approval to Ensure HCBS Compliance Self-DeterminationProgram
A Step-by-Step Guide for Clients
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Step 7
Individual Program Plan (IPP)
Select and Hire Your Service Providers
Provide the Financial Management Service Provider with Potential Employees Profiles to Ensure That All Criminal BackgroundChecks Are Completed
Complete Enrollment Paperwork with the FMS
Finalize Your Individual Program Plan with Your Service CoordinatorLive Your Self-Determined Life!!
Self - Determination Program
A Step-by-Step Guide for Clients
