Council

Recruitment to serve on the Council is ongoing. Regional Managers and Executive Leadership regularly share recruitment information at public events, community meetings, and through outreach efforts. In some cases, the Governor’s Office may also submit independent recommendations for consideration.

Community members interested in serving on the Council are encouraged to apply online using the links below. Once an application is received, it is forwarded to the SCDD Regional Manager for the applicant’s designated catchment area.

• California State Council on Developmental Disabilities Council Application (English Application) (Spanish Application)

The Regional Manager conducts an initial review of each application to confirm that the applicant:

• Meets the eligibility requirements outlined in Welfare and Institutions Code.
• Understands the time commitment required to serve on the Council and its committees.
• Is able to travel, with or without supports, as required for Council service.
• Has relevant experience or knowledge, such as prior service on a board, committee, or advisory body.

After this initial review, the Regional Manager submits a written recommendation using an established .

Headquarters (HQ) staff then receive all recommendations, track them, and forward them to the Council’s Membership Committee. As Council seats become vacant or terms expire, the Membership Committee meets to review the recommendations and identify applicants for further consideration.

Applicants selected for further consideration are invited to meet with the Executive Director and the Chair of the Membership Committee. If an applicant is selected to move forward after these meetings, they are encouraged to submit an application to the Governor’s Office, which completes the final appointment process.

The entire recruitment and selection process typically takes 2 to 4 months, though it may take longer depending on the timing of vacancies and expiring terms.

Regional Advisory Committee (RAC)

SCDD ROMs Recommend the following recruitment process:

Once it is determined that an individual would like to apply to serve on the Council, RAC or Local SDAC, they will need to fill out an application. Applications can be found at the links below:

• Regional Advisory Committees (RAC) (English Application) (Spanish Application)

Applications are received by Headquarters staff and will be forwarded to ROMs as they are processed.

Local Self-Determination Advisory Committee and/or Local Volunteer Advisory Committee (Local SDAC/LVAC)

The Membership process begins with recruitment. Regional Office Managers (ROMs) are responsible for the recruitment of candidates for the Council, RACs and Local SDACs

Although individuals can and often do apply to be on the RAC and Council at the same time, they can only serve on one body at a time. It is generally recommended that applicants who are new to the Council begin by serving on the RAC to gain experience and learn about SCDD’s work and role in monitoring and shaping the systems that serve our constituents.

ROMs are encouraged to tailor outreach and recruitment efforts to their region. Below are some recruitment resources that may help:

• Local Self-Determination Advisory Committees (Local SDAC) Application  (English Application) (Spanish Application)

To carry out the Council’s federal mandates in a manner consistent with the access, use, and community-based principles, the Council has established Regional Offices and Regional Advisory Committees (RAC).

Specifically, the role of the RACs are:

• Advise SCDD and its RO on local issues and identify and provide input regarding local systemic needs within its communities;
• Provide input and be a source for data for the SCDD to consider in the formulation of the state plan;
• Provide public information programs for consumers, families, professional groups, and the general public to increase professional and public awareness of areas identified within the state plan;
• Engage in other activities as requested by SCDD.

The RAC may make recommendations to the Council. The RAC may not take positions independent of the Council. (Source: SCDD Bylaws)

Additional details about the RAC’s role, who can serve, term limits, etc. can be found in the RAC Policy Q&A.

Members of the RAC are expected to adhere to the SCDD RAC Member Policies, which are provided to all newly appointed RAC members when they receive their appointment letter.

A local Self-Determination Advisory Committee is statutorily created body convened by each regional center to provide oversight of the Self-Determination program, in accordance with WIC 4685.8. The committee reviews the development and ongoing progress of the Self-Determination Program and may make ongoing recommendations for improvement to the regional center and the Department of Developmental Services. It is required that the membership of the committee be reflective of the multicultural diversity and geographic profile of the catchment area.

According to statute, each of the 21-regional centers shall have a local Self-Determination Advisory Committee for which the State Council on Developmental Disabilities shall appoint one-half of the membership. The number of members seated on each Local SDAC, along with membership term limits are at the discretion of each Regional Center as long as the makeup of the Committee aligns with Statute.

SCDD Regional Office Managers should be involved with the Local SDACs in their region to understand how each committee functions, and conduct expectations for members, etc. SCDD has adopted the following Professional Conduct Policy for Council-appointed members.

Membership Committee Meetings are planned and facilitated by SCDD Headquarters staff. Regional Office Managers will be contacted by HQ staff prior to a scheduled Committee meeting to notify them of the meeting time and date and to request recommendations on applicants from their respective regions.

The following resource will be provided to ROMs to record their recommendations:

• Regional Office Manager Recommendations to Membership Committee Template

For an example of how to provide recommendations, please see these Sample Recommendations

Please note: there are three (3) options for Council applicant recommendations:

1. Recommended
2. Decline
3. Hold (this application will be held so that it may be considered at a future date)

Membership Workgroup Meetings are planned and facilitated by SCDD Headquarters staff as needed to fill RAC/Local SDAC vacancies. Managers with vacancies should contact the Manager of HQ Business Operations and Committee Support to request that a meeting be held.

Regional Office Managers will be contacted by HQ staff prior to a scheduled Workgroup meeting to notify them of the meeting time and date and to request recommendations on applicants from their respective regions.

Regional Office Managers will also be asked to review and update their RAC and Local SDAC Rosters. ROMs can access their Rosters at the following links:

• Links to RAC and Local SDAC Rosters (Password Protected Page)

The following resource will be provided to ROMs to record their recommendations:

• Regional Office Manager Recommendations to Membership Workgroup

For an example of how to provide recommendations, please see these Sample Recommendations.

Please note: there are Four (4) options for RAC/Local SDAC applicant recommendations:

1. Recommended
2. Decline
3. Hold (this application will be held so that it may be considered at a future date)
4. Waitlist (this applicant can be appointed from the waitlist when a vacancy occurs)

RAC/Local SDAC Removals and Reappointments

Regional Office Managers will be asked if there are any reappointments or removals to their RACs or Local SDACs at the workgroup meeting. Please be prepared to share this information with Workgroup at the meeting.

1. At the Membership Committee Meeting, Committee members review the applications and qualifications of each candidate for open Council seats and are provided with Regional Managers’ recommendations. 
   1. 1. 1. Regional Office Managers are encouraged to attend so that they can answer any questions Committee members may have about applicants or the recommendations that they have provided.

2. After reviewing applications, the Membership Committee votes to decide which applications to hold for future consideration, which applicants to decline, and which applicants will be moved forward to the interview process.

1. Membership interviews will be conducted by the Executive Director and the Chairperson of the Membership Committee for all applicants that were voted to be moved forward.

2. Following these interviews, the Membership Committee will provide recommendations to the Governor’s Office to fill Council vacancies.

3. The Governor’s Office will conduct their own application and interview process for Council Applicants. They will inform the Council when an appointment has been made.

4. When new Councilmembers are appointed, the Executive Director, Council Leadership, and Headquarters staff work together to complete onboarding.

1. At the Membership Workgroup meeting, Workgroup members review the applications and qualifications of RAC and Local SDAC candidates and are provided with the Regional Managers recommendations
   
   1. Regional Office Managers are encouraged to attend so that they can answer any questions. Workgroup members may have about applicants or the recommendations that they have provided

2. After reviewing applications, the Membership Workgroup votes to decide which applications to hold for future consideration, which applicants to decline, and which applicants will be appointed to the RAC or Local SDAC.

1. Headquarters staff will send an email to Regional Office Managers with a summary of actions taken at the Workgroup Meeting (corrections can be requested at this time if necessary)

2. Headquarters staff will generate Welcome Letters, Declination Letters, and Second Term Reappointment Letters and send them to Regional Office Managers for review and approval.

3. Headquarters staff will mail the approved letters, along with relevant SCDD Policies.

4. Regional Office Managers will Update RAC/Local SDAC Rosters (links provided in above “Preparing for a Membership Workgroup Meeting” section)

5. Regional Office Managers will reach out to new appointees to welcome them and begin the onboarding process

6. Regional Office Managers will notify applicants who they have waitlisted that they have been approved for appointment when a vacancy occurs (at ROM’s discretion)

Onboarding RAC and Local SDAC members is the responsibility of the Regional Office Manager.

Although Headquarters staff will send appointees a welcome letter and relevant SCDD policies, ROMs will need to reach out to provide them with the next meeting date and any resources that will help them understand their roles and responsibilities.

Here are some resources that ROMs may want to consider providing to new RAC and/or Local SDAC Members:

Current State Plan

2025-2026 Policy Priorities

RAC Policy Q&A

Definition of DD & Statistics

SCDD Responsibilities, Governance, Org Chart

State Funded Contracts VAS, CRA, QAP

Bagley Keene Open Meeting Act and Roberts Rules

DD Act Plain Language

How to be an Effective Change Agent 

Systemic Advocacy Menu, Bilingual

SCDD RAC Member Policies

Professional Conduct Policy (SCDD Appointed SDAC Members)