Welcome to SCDD!

The State Council on Developmental Disabilities (SCDD) is established by state and federal law as an independent state agency to ensure that people with developmental disabilities and their families receive the services and supports they need.

Consumers know best what supports and services they need to live independently and to actively participate in their communities. Through advocacy, capacity building and systemic change, SCDD works to achieve a consumer and family-based system of individualized services, supports, and other assistance.

Self-Determination Program

The Self-Determination Program is available to all eligible regional center clients.

What is the Self-Determination Program?

The Self-Determination Program is all about an individual’s choice and control over the services they receive through their regional center and the money that pays for those services.

For many, the Self-Determination Program has been life changing because it provides more independence, freedom and control to regional center clients and their families. For example, participants and families may purchase services from traditional providers or choose local businesses instead. They can hire support workers directly or they can negotiate special arrangements with groups and individuals in their communities. Here, people with disabilities are in charge of their own lives, not the professionals or systems that support them.

Can I participate in the Self-Determination Program?

To be eligible for the program, you or your family member must:

Have a developmental disability and currently be receiving services from a California regional center OR be a new client of a regional center
Be over the age of three or, if under, be qualified for services through the Lanterman Act
Live in the community and have free choice in your life. You are not eligible if you live in a licensed long-term health care facility unless you are using it to transition from that facility.

Resources

To contact your area’s Regional Center about next steps, please click Regional Center Listing for a list of regional center telephone numbers and ask to speak to the Self-Determination Program (SDP) Coordinator.

If you need help navigating the process and your regional center’s SDP Coordinator isn’t available, please click our SCDD Regional Office Listing and click on “Regional Offices” to contact your local SCDD Office.

To keep informed on SDP implementation updates click DDS Self-Determination Information and Resources to find out more.

To connect with others interested in a variety of SDP topics, please visit the SCDD SDP Facebook Forum and request to join.

Self-Determination Program introduction sheet is available in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese.

Click here to read the Self-Determination Program Frequently Asked Questions. Department of Developmental Services

Council Highlights

Emergency Preparedness Basics: youtu.be/pLWnSmYFy64

Jefferson Awards: South Bay Teens Offer Hands-On STEM For Kids With Special Needs

Watch this interview by CBS San Francisco about two young women of “Young Inquisitive Minds” who are offering STEM classes to students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Central Coast Regional Office Manager David Grady helped connect them to resources and opportunities to serve.