The Self-Determination Program (SDP) gives people with disabilities more freedom, control, and responsibility to choose the services and supports that help them meet their goals and be fully included in their community. The participant is given an individualized budget and uses it to decide what services they’d like and who should provide them (they don’t need to be Regional Center vendors, and can even be family members). A person-centered plan (PCP) drives the entire process, and is focused on what the person can and wants to do (rather than what they can’t do) and the supports, services, and resources needed to achieve their goals.
Note that SDP is a lot of work. You will need to find employees, vet them yourself, etc. If you are happy with your child's Regional Center services right now, then you may not want to transition your child to SDP. But if you are not receiving the services your child needs, SDP can provide more flexibility.
Whether SDP is worth it may depend on the Regional Center. It will for sure give you more flexibility in the providers you use, and you may be able to find better quality employees when you can pay them more.
Some families wonder if there is an age where switching to SDP would make the most sense. There isn’t a specific age where families are recommended to switch to SDP; it's more about what services you’re hoping for and what you’d like your child to access.
For more information, check out our article Self-Determination 101.
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