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Benefits and Considerations of Self-Determination with Sandra McElwee

Published: Oct. 26, 2021Updated: Aug. 12, 2024

Unsure about what the Self-Determination Program (SDP) entails and whether it’s right for your family? Independent Facilitator and owner of Empower Person-Centered Planning Sandra McElwee talked with us about all things Self-Determination. She broke down how the budget is decided, what ABA services and Medi-Cal look like in SDP, and actions you can take to succeed in the program.

Watch these clips for highlights or view the entire recording below. You can also check out our Self-Determination Program decoder for more information!

How is a Self-Determination budget determined? In this quick clip, Sandra explains the process.

If you receive a budget for ABA therapy, those funds have to be used for ABA, not another unrelated service. Check out this clip for Sandra's explanation of how this works and what implications it may have for kids who get ABA through Medi-Cal.

Sandra advises parents to always email their service coordinators, even if they've just spoken on the phone, so that all their communication is in writing. Hear why this is beneficial, and what a Notice of Action is, in this clip:
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Author

Brittany OlsenUndivided Editor

An editor and cartoonist who loves using words and images to simplify and share ideas. She has ten years of experience as a copy editor and lives near Portland, Oregon. She often spends her free time going on nature walks with her dog or trying new bread recipes.

Reviewed by Meghan O'Dell, Undivided Writer and Editor

Contributors Sandra McElwee, Independent Facilitator and owner of Empower Person-Centered Planning

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