Subash Rajavel

One of the most common questions families ask when they first join California's Self-Determination Program (SDP) is simple: What can I actually spend this money on? And it is a fair question. After months of orientation, Person-Centered Planning, and Regional Center meetings, you finally have a budget — and now you want to make it count. Financial Management Services (FMS) are required to help you execute your spending plan, but first you need to know what is on the menu. This guide walks...

California's Self-Determination Program (SDP) gives your family real control over your loved one's services and budget. But the part that surprises most families — and drives away good vendors — is what happens after a service is delivered. The money has to move somehow, and understanding that workflow is the difference between a thriving support team and a revolving door of providers who keep asking, "When do I get paid?" The California Department of Developmental Services (DDS) designed SDP...

If your family lives in Santa Clara or San Mateo County and is exploring California's Self-Determination Program (SDP), San Andreas Regional Center (SARC) is your starting point. SARC is one of California's 21 Regional Centers, serving individuals with developmental disabilities across the Bay Area's South Bay region — one of the highest concentrations of SDP participants in the state. That density is an advantage: more practicing Independent Facilitators, more experienced vendored Financial...