Do I have to use all my child's budget in the first year of the Self-Determination Program (SDP)?

If your child is in their first year of SDP, you may wonder whether you need to use all the funds up so that you can get the same budget next year. In general, Regional Centers seem to understand that the first year might not match the budget you are given because it can take a while to onboard new employees and find vendors. However, with Regional Centers facing budget cuts, it is more likely that you can keep your budget next year if you spend all of the money this year. It's more important after the first year to use all your budget if you want to receive the same amount the following year.