Will my Independent Facilitator have suggestions for my child's SDP budget and spending plan or is it entirely up to me?

During the transition process to Self-Determination, you should work in a collaborative manner with your Independent Facilitator. As your child's person-centered plan is built, your Independent Facilitator should get to know your child and family. They should be giving suggestions for how to build your child's budget, and with your feedback, you create the budget together. Your IF should also know what your Regional Center typically provides, so you can talk to them about ideas for what to include in the spending plan.

We have heard from some families that their Independent Facilitator encourages them to limit a long list of requests. If this happens to you, Undivided's Self-Determination Consultant Iris Barker advises that you talk with your IF about each service and why or why not they recommend requesting it. Ask if there is a strategy around why not requesting something now. For example, if you’re trying to get creative like using a vendor to provide coaching and it’s denied, then that vendor might get “burned” and denied.

When it's time for the budget meeting, you don't have to bring much; see what the Regional Center says because they may offer more than what was discussed. You can then send a detailed follow-up email with the list of services, links, screenshots, etc.

For more information about SDP, see our article Self-Determination Program (SDP) 101