How often does SDP require specialists to submit progress reports (for example, dieticians, social skills, cognitive therapy)?

It depends on your Regional Center and how much they fund. A lot of these services are funded six months at a time. It’s helpful to set a reminder after four months to get a progress report. If it’s funded once a year, then if you're starting your renewal three months in advance, you should get that report ready.

Requiring progress reports is a result of a DDS reform from 2024 that was supposed to be enforced in 2025, but it’s still not to the point where everybody has to submit a report. It really depends on your Regional Center. But if they funded it for any specific time period, most likely they want that progress report in order to be able to fund it again. You could check with your Regional Center to confirm, or you could wait until they request it. It's up to you.

Learn more in our article 6 Tips for Creating Your Self-Determination Program Budget and Spending Plan.