Self-Determination
The California statewide Self-Determination Program is a voluntary alternative to the traditional way of providing regional center services. The SDP is being developed by the Department of Developmental Services to allow participants to have more control over selecting their services and supports. One of the ways this can be done is by giving participants (or their parents or legal representatives) a specific budget to purchase the services and supports that they need to make their person-centered plan work better for them. Participants may choose their services and pick which providers deliver those services. Participants are responsible for staying within their annual budget.
Learn more about the Self-Determination Program here.
Person-Centered Planning
Person-Centered Planning is an ongoing journey of discovery, creating a personalized guide that reflects an individual’s strengths, goals, and needs.
In this process, a team of supportive people—such as parents, siblings, close friends, therapists, educators, and healthcare professionals—works alongside the individual to build a meaningful plan for the future. This team is made up of those who truly care about and support the person’s well-being.
Together, they create a Person-Centered Plan, a flexible and evolving guide that grows and changes over time as the individual’s needs, interests, and dreams evolve. The plan helps others understand and support the person in the best way possible by including important details such as:
- Unique strengths and traits
- Career goals and aspirations
- Favorite activities and hobbies
- Where they want to live
- The best ways to offer support
- Things to avoid
By centering the individual’s voice and choices, Person-Centered Planning helps ensure they receive the support they need to thrive in the way that’s right for them.
An important part of the planning process is finding the right balance between what is important to a person and what is important for them. For example, a smartphone might be something that is very important to someone, while medication is important for their well-being. Understanding this balance helps create a meaningful plan that leads to real action.
A full Person-Centered Plan can cover many different areas of a person’s life and might be quite detailed. For a simpler way to share key information, a shorter, one-page version—called a One-Page Profile—can also be created.
Michael Smull and the Learning Community first developed this unique approach.