The San Diego Regional Center & The Self-Determination Program
A complete, plain-English guide for families, autistic adults, and service coordinators in San Diego County.
Quick Navigation
If you are a parent of an autistic adult in San Diego County, or an autistic adult navigating the regional center system yourself, you have probably encountered the phrase San Diego Regional Center a hundred times — and yet very few families ever feel like someone has fully explained what it actually does, what services it covers, or how to access something more individualized than the standard menu of services.
This page exists to change that.
By the end of this guide, you will understand exactly what the San Diego Regional Center (SDRC) is, how it works, who qualifies for it, and most importantly — how the Self-Determination Program (SDP) gives families across San Diego County a powerful, flexible way to fund the specific services their loved one actually needs. Including supported self-employment coaching that helps autistic adults build small businesses around the things they love.
This is not an official SDRC page. Caliminds Launchpad is an independent business coaching practice for autistic adults in San Diego. We work with families enrolled in the Self-Determination Program, whose individual budgets cover our services through their Financial Management Service. We have written this page because we sit at the intersection of where this system gets confusing — and we believe families deserve a clear, honest, comprehensive resource.
<a name="what-sdrc-is"></a>
What the San Diego Regional Center Actually Is
The San Diego Regional Center (SDRC) is one of 21 regional centers across California that coordinate services for individuals with developmental disabilities. It is a private nonprofit organization that operates under contract with the California Department of Developmental Services (DDS) to deliver state-funded supports to eligible residents of San Diego County and Imperial County.
SDRC's role is not to provide services directly. Its role is to assess eligibility, coordinate services, and fund qualified providers so that individuals with developmental disabilities — including autism, intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and related conditions — can live as independently and meaningfully as possible.
When a family becomes an SDRC client, they are assigned a Service Coordinator. This is the person who works with the family year after year, helping them navigate the system, develop service plans, request supports, and access funding. Every SDRC client also has an Individual Program Plan (IPP) — a document that lays out the individual's goals, the services they will receive, and how those services support their independence and quality of life.
Most San Diego families understand SDRC primarily as the source of services they have used for years: early intervention, behavioral support, in-home respite, day programs, traditional supported employment, transportation, and so on. What many families do not fully understand is that SDRC also administers something dramatically more flexible — and dramatically more empowering — for autistic adults seeking real independence and individualized support.
That program is called the Self-Determination Program, and it changes almost everything about how a family can use their SDRC services.
<a name="who-qualifies"></a>
Who Qualifies for SDRC Services
To become a client of the San Diego Regional Center, an individual must meet the eligibility criteria for regional center services under California Welfare and Institutions Code Section 4512. In plain language, this means the individual must have a developmental disability that originates before age 18, is expected to continue indefinitely, and constitutes a substantial disability. Qualifying conditions include autism, intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and certain other conditions closely related to intellectual disability.
The process of becoming an SDRC client follows a specific timeline:
Step 1 — Initial Contact: A family submits an Initial Contact Form to SDRC. This can be done electronically via SDRC's website. After submission, an On-Call Coordinator typically calls the family within a few business days to begin the conversation and gather information.
Step 2 — Intake Meeting: If the applicant is appropriate for assessment, an Intake Service Coordinator is assigned. This coordinator schedules a meeting with the family, explains what SDRC services look like, and helps complete the formal application paperwork.
Step 3 — Eligibility Determination: SDRC has up to 120 days from the intake meeting to complete the eligibility determination. During this time, the family may be asked to provide additional medical records, evaluations, or other documentation. In some cases, additional assessments are scheduled.
Step 4 — IPP Development: If the individual is found eligible, an Individual Program Plan (IPP) is developed within 60 days of the eligibility determination. The IPP sets the foundation for what services the individual will receive going forward.
Step 5 — Ongoing Service Coordination: Once the IPP is in place, the case is transferred to a Client Services unit based on the geographic area where the client resides. From this point forward, the family works with their assigned Service Coordinator on an ongoing basis.
If a family disagrees with an eligibility decision, California law provides a right to appeal the determination. SDRC will explain the appeal process if eligibility is denied.
For most San Diego families reading this page, the autistic adult has already been an SDRC client for years — often since childhood. The next question becomes: how do we get more than the standard menu of services? That is what the Self-Determination Program is for.
<a name="what-sdp-is"></a>
What the Self-Determination Program (SDP) Is
The Self-Determination Program (SDP) is a voluntary, alternative service model within the California regional center system. It was created by Senate Bill 468 (Emmerson), signed into law by Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. in October 2013. After a three-year implementation period that limited the program to 2,500 individuals statewide, the SDP became available to all eligible regional center clients on July 1, 2021.
The fundamental promise of the SDP is straightforward but profound: instead of receiving services only from a pre-approved list of vendors that SDRC has formally contracted with, an SDP participant gets to choose their own providers — including providers who are not on the traditional regional center vendor list. The participant works with a planning team to develop an individualized budget, identify the services they actually need to reach their goals, and then choose who delivers those services.
In SDRC Self-Determination Program Manager Katie Dempsey's own words, the program is "tailored to meet the unique goals of each person by allowing them the freedom to choose what types of services and supports they would benefit from."
The SDP rests on five core principles that every regional center across California is required to honor:
Freedom — The right to plan your own life and make your own decisions, just as people without disabilities can.
Authority — The right to control how money is spent on your services and supports.
Support — Access to the help you need to live a meaningful, included life in your community.
Responsibility — A genuine role in directing the services you receive and the providers who deliver them.
Confirmation — The recognition that individuals with developmental disabilities are the primary decision-makers in their own lives.
For autistic adults in San Diego whose strengths, interests, and life goals are deeply individual — which is to say, all of them — the SDP is one of the most powerful tools the regional center system offers.
<a name="sdp-vs-traditional"></a>
SDP vs. Traditional Services — The Real Differences
The clearest way to understand the SDP is to compare it directly to how traditional regional center services work.
Under traditional services:
SDRC selects providers from its vendorized list — providers who have completed SDRC's formal contracting and vendorization process.
Service rates are set by the California Department of Developmental Services through a standardized rate structure.
The Service Coordinator typically arranges the specific providers based on what is available on the vendor list.
Families have limited flexibility to access providers who specialize in services that are not yet represented on the vendor list.
The service categories tend to align with established, traditional models — day programs, supported employment placements, behavioral services, respite, and so on.
Under the Self-Determination Program:
The participant develops an individualized budget with their planning team, based on the cost of services used in the last 12 months under the traditional model.
The participant develops a Spending Plan that outlines exactly how that budget will be used.
The participant can choose any qualified provider, including providers who are not formally SDRC-vendorized.
The participant can purchase services that are not on the traditional menu, as long as they align with the participant's IPP goals and SDP rules.
A Financial Management Service (FMS) holds the budget and pays the providers, so families never directly handle invoices or reimbursements.
The key insight is this: the SDP was designed specifically for situations where the standard vendor list does not contain the right specialist for the goal the participant wants to pursue. The flexibility is the point.
Importantly, enrolling in SDP does not reduce your overall funding. The individual budget under SDP is calculated based on what your services would have cost under the traditional model, so participants are not giving up funding by switching to SDP. They are gaining flexibility in how that funding is used.
<a name="enrollment-stages"></a>
The Five Stages of SDP Enrollment in San Diego
Enrolling in the SDP can feel overwhelming because the system involves multiple moving parts and people. Here is the realistic, step-by-step sequence for San Diego families.
Stage 1 — Tell Your Service Coordinator You Are Interested
The starting point is a simple conversation with your existing SDRC Service Coordinator. You can say plainly: "I would like to learn more about transitioning to the Self-Determination Program." Your coordinator will provide you with current information, walk you through what to expect, and confirm your eligibility. You do not need to be doing anything special to qualify — every SDRC client is eligible for SDP, as long as you live in the community (not in a long-term care facility) and you are willing to participate voluntarily.
You can also reach SDRC's SDP team directly by emailing sdp@sdrc.org.
Stage 2 — Complete the SDP Orientation
Before you can enroll in SDP, you must complete the mandatory SDP Orientation. As of April 1, 2026, the State Council on Developmental Disabilities (SCDD) became the only approved provider of the SDP Orientation statewide. This was a recent change — many older guides still refer to orientations offered directly through SDRC, which is no longer the case.
The orientation is delivered in two parts of two hours each. You must complete both parts before moving forward in the SDP process. The orientation is offered virtually and is provided at no cost. Information about scheduling and registration is available through SCDD's website at scdd.ca.gov.
Stage 3 — Develop Your Person-Centered Plan (PCP)
After completing the orientation, you and your team will create a Person-Centered Plan. This is a document that outlines what is genuinely important to you and for you — your goals, your preferences, your strengths, your dreams, and the supports you need to live the life you actually want.
You can develop your PCP with help from your Service Coordinator, family members, friends, and most importantly, an Independent Facilitator if you choose to use one (more on facilitators below).
Stage 4 — Build Your Individual Budget and Spending Plan
Once your PCP is complete, your planning team — including SDRC — develops an individualized budget. This budget is based on the cost of services you used over the previous 12 months under the traditional model, adjusted for any changes in circumstances or unmet needs identified in the PCP.
With your approved budget in hand, you then build a Spending Plan. This is where you decide exactly how your budget will be allocated across services, providers, and supports.
Stage 5 — Choose Your FMS and Begin Services
The final required step is choosing a Financial Management Service (FMS) provider. The FMS is the entity that physically holds your SDP budget, pays your chosen providers, handles tax reporting, and manages all the back-end financial work.
Once your FMS is in place and your service agreements are set up with your chosen providers, services begin. From this point forward, your providers invoice the FMS directly, the FMS pays them from your SDP budget, and the family never receives an invoice. Out-of-pocket cost: zero.
<a name="person-centered-planning"></a>
Person-Centered Planning Explained
Person-Centered Planning (PCP) is the foundation of everything the Self-Determination Program does. It is also one of the most misunderstood parts of the process.
A person-centered plan is not a clinical evaluation. It is not a checklist of deficits. It is not a list of things the person cannot do. It is a deeply respectful, future-focused conversation about what an individual actually wants their life to look like, and what supports will help them get there.
In a true person-centered plan, the individual themselves is the primary author. Family, friends, and support team members participate only if the individual chooses to include them. The plan is built around the person's:
Hopes and dreams for their life — work, relationships, hobbies, where they live, what they do day to day
Strengths and gifts — what they are good at, what they love, what they could spend hours doing
Genuine preferences — environments, routines, communication styles, sensory needs
Real-life goals — specific things they want to accomplish or experience
The supports they need to make all of the above possible
For autistic adults specifically, a strong PCP often includes things like preferred sensory environments, communication preferences, the role of special interests in daily life, the pace of work that is sustainable, and what genuine independence looks like for them personally.
The person-centered plan then becomes the foundation for the individualized budget, the Spending Plan, and ultimately every service the SDP funds. Done well, it is the most empowering document a family will ever produce.
<a name="budget-and-spending-plan"></a>
The Individual Budget and Spending Plan
The Individual Budget under SDP is the dollar amount you have available each year to purchase services and supports.
In most cases, this budget is calculated based on the cost of services the individual used over the previous 12 months under the traditional regional center model. For example, if a family used $40,000 worth of regional center services in the previous year, their SDP budget will typically start at approximately $40,000 — though the planning team may adjust upward if the PCP identifies clear unmet needs, or if circumstances have changed.
A few important points to understand about the budget:
The budget is not locked in forever. It can be adjusted at IPP reviews as needs change.
SDP does not reduce overall funding compared to traditional services — it just gives the family more control over how the funding is used.
Regional centers are the payer of last resort, meaning families are required to use available generic services first (Medi-Cal, IHSS, school district services, private insurance) before SDP funds the same need.
The participant cannot pay themselves out of the SDP budget — the budget is for services from other providers, not for self-employment income.
Once the budget is approved, the participant creates a Spending Plan that allocates the money across the services they want. For example, a spending plan might allocate funds across community-based instruction, supported self-employment coaching, transportation, recreational activities, respite, and other supports — all aligned with the PCP and the IPP.
<a name="independent-facilitators"></a>
The Role of Independent Facilitators
An Independent Facilitator (IF) is a community-based professional who helps an SDP participant navigate the program. Their role is to guide and advocate, not to deliver services directly.
A good Independent Facilitator typically helps with:
Understanding the SDP process and what each step requires
Developing the Person-Centered Plan through skilled, respectful conversations
Identifying potential providers for the services the participant wants
Sitting in on planning meetings with SDRC to advocate for what the participant actually needs
Negotiating service rates and budget allocations with regional center staff
Troubleshooting issues that come up during enrollment or once services begin
Using an Independent Facilitator is not required under SDP, but it is often strongly recommended — especially for families navigating SDP for the first time, or for families whose Service Coordinator is overloaded and less available for the deeper SDP-specific work.
San Diego County has a number of experienced Independent Facilitators, and SDRC's SDP team can connect families with current options. Independent Facilitators do not need to be formally certified, but they are required to have training in self-determination principles, person-centered planning, and the responsibilities of supporting an SDP participant.
<a name="fms"></a>
Financial Management Services (FMS)
Every SDP participant is required to use a Financial Management Service (FMS) provider. This is the entity that holds the SDP budget, pays providers, manages tax reporting, and handles all the back-end financial operations.
There are three FMS models available in the SDP system:
Bill Payer Model — The FMS pays vendors and contractors on behalf of the participant. The participant is not the employer of record.
Co-Employer Model — The participant and the FMS share employer responsibilities for any direct-hire support workers.
Sole Employer Model — The participant is the legal employer of any direct-hire workers, with the FMS handling payroll, taxes, and reporting.
For families using SDP to fund supported self-employment coaching from a provider like Caliminds Launchpad, the Bill Payer Model is typically the simplest and most common arrangement. The FMS receives invoices from Caliminds Launchpad, verifies them against the approved Spending Plan, and pays directly out of the participant's SDP budget. The family never sees an invoice.
SDRC maintains a list of approved FMS providers serving San Diego County. Families can choose any approved FMS from that list — and switching FMS providers later is possible if the initial choice does not work out.
<a name="what-sdp-funds"></a>
What Services the Self-Determination Program Can Fund
One of the most powerful things about SDP is the breadth of services the program can fund. While the traditional regional center model tends to revolve around a relatively standard set of service categories, SDP can fund nearly any service that genuinely supports the participant's IPP goals — as long as the service is federally allowable and not available through a generic source like Medi-Cal, IHSS, or the school district.
Examples of services SDP commonly funds include:
Supported employment and supported self-employment coaching
Community-based instruction in a wide range of areas
Recreational and social activities that build community connections
Health and wellness coaching
Independent living skills support
Communication and technology supports
Specialized therapies not otherwise covered
Personal assistance and respite care
Vehicle and home modifications for accessibility
Transportation to access community activities and supports
The crucial principle is that the service has to align with goals in the IPP and the participant's Person-Centered Plan. The SDP is not an unrestricted spending account — it is a flexible, person-directed way to access the specific services that move the participant toward their goals.
<a name="supported-self-employment"></a>
Supported Self-Employment Through SDP — A Path Built for Autistic Adults
For many autistic adults in San Diego, supported self-employment is not just one option among many — it is often the right option, for reasons that the traditional employment world rarely acknowledges.
The conventional workforce was built around a specific kind of person — one who thrives in social environments, who masks naturally, who absorbs information through dense reading, who networks easily, who tolerates open-plan offices and unpredictable supervisors and fluorescent lighting and endless small talk. For many autistic adults, these are not minor inconveniences. They are the daily sources of exhaustion that lead to the autistic burnout cycle so many San Diego families know intimately.
Self-employment offers a fundamentally different path. Instead of asking the autistic adult to permanently adapt to a workplace that was never designed for them, supported self-employment helps them build a workplace of their own — one shaped around their strengths, their interests, their sensory needs, and the way their brain actually works.
In the IPP, this typically appears as a goal under the category of Supported Self-Employment — a recognized service category in the California regional center system. With this goal in place, the SDP budget can fund coaching, mentorship, business planning, brand development, digital skills training, and ongoing capability-building support that helps the autistic adult develop and run a small business.
The businesses that emerge from supported self-employment are usually small, personal, and built around something the adult genuinely loves. A sticker shop on Etsy. A custom pet portrait business. A photography practice. A handmade goods storefront. A specialty research or writing service. A digital art practice. An online tutoring or instruction business.
The scale is intentionally modest. The point is not to build a corporation. The point is to build something meaningful, sustainable, and aligned with the person's actual life — a business they can run from their home workspace, on their own schedule, around their own energy, in environments they control.
For the right autistic adult, this is not a consolation prize for failing in traditional employment. It is genuinely a better path.
<a name="caliminds-fit"></a>
Where Caliminds Launchpad Fits in This System
Caliminds Launchpad is an independent business coaching practice that specializes exclusively in supported self-employment for autistic adults and neurodivergent individuals in San Diego County. Founded by Sam Fawaz, who is autistic himself and built the program around his own lived experience as a neurodivergent entrepreneur, Caliminds Launchpad provides the one-on-one mentorship that takes an autistic adult from idea (or no idea at all) to a launched, working small business.
To be fully transparent about our position in the regional center system: We are an independent provider available to families enrolled in the Self-Determination Program, whose individual budgets cover our services through their chosen FMS. This is exactly the kind of specialized, individualized provider the SDP was designed to make accessible — services tailored specifically for the unique needs of each autistic adult, available outside the traditional vendor list through the SDP's provider-choice framework.
Our flagship program is the six-month Founder's Mentorship — a structured, one-on-one journey that builds your loved one's small business from the ground up, including business discovery, brand development, website creation, social media setup, simple business registration, and the launch of their first paying customers. After the foundational six months, ongoing capability-building coaching continues through renewed IPP goals, supporting the autistic adult as they continue to grow as a small business owner.
Throughout the entire journey, Sam stays in your corner — because building a small business is only the beginning. The ongoing relationship is where lasting growth happens.
<a name="ipp-language"></a>
Practical Scripts and IPP Language Families Can Use
If you are getting ready for an upcoming IPP meeting and you want to explore supported self-employment as a goal for your autistic adult, here is exactly what to say to your Service Coordinator:
"I would like to add a goal for Supported Self-Employment to the IPP. We are interested in self-employment coaching as a path toward independence and meaningful work, and we would like to use the Self-Determination Program budget to fund a provider that specializes in this. The provider we are exploring is called Caliminds Launchpad in San Diego."
That single sentence opens the conversation. Your coordinator will guide you through the IPP update process from there.
The IPP goal language that supports this category is typically written along these lines:
Supported Self-Employment Coaching — individualized, one-on-one mentorship supporting the participant toward the development and launch of a self-directed micro-business, including business planning, brand development, digital skills, business registration support, client acquisition, and ongoing capability-building.
For ongoing coaching after the foundational program, the renewal language can look like:
Continued Supported Self-Employment Coaching — ongoing one-on-one capability-building support for an established self-employed neurodivergent founder, focused on growing independence as a business owner through real-world problem-solving, skill development, and strategic planning.
If your Service Coordinator wants more information, you are welcome to share this page directly, or invite them to contact Sam by phone or email. Sam routinely speaks with San Diego coordinators to explain how the program maps to IPP goals and how the FMS billing process works in practice.
<a name="faq"></a>
Frequently Asked Questions About SDRC and the SDP
Is everyone who is an SDRC client automatically eligible for the SDP?
Essentially yes. Every California Regional Center client is eligible to enroll in SDP voluntarily, as long as they live in the community (not in a long-term care facility, ICF, or State Developmental Center). Children under 3 may also participate if they qualify for regional center services.
Is SDP enrollment mandatory once you start the process?
No. The Self-Determination Program is entirely voluntary. You can choose to enroll at any time, and you can choose to leave at any time. If you leave SDP, you may need to wait 12 months before rejoining.
Does enrolling in SDP reduce my services or my funding?
No. Your SDP individual budget is calculated based on the cost of services you used in the previous 12 months under the traditional model. Enrolling in SDP gives you more flexibility in how the same funding is used — not less funding.
How long does SDP enrollment take?
Realistically, the full enrollment process typically takes three to six months from start to finish, depending on how quickly the orientation, person-centered planning, budget development, and FMS setup all proceed. Some families move through it faster, especially with the help of a skilled Independent Facilitator.
Can SDP funds pay for services from providers outside California?
Generally no. SDP services must be delivered in California and typically must be delivered to California residents. The specifics depend on the service and the provider.
Can SDP funds pay my family member for caregiving?
In some cases yes, with significant restrictions. SDP allows certain family members to be paid for direct support work under specific rules, but the participant themselves cannot be paid from their own SDP budget. This is a complex area best discussed with your Service Coordinator or Independent Facilitator.
What happens if my Service Coordinator does not know about supported self-employment as an SDP service?
This sometimes happens, especially with newer coordinators or those who have not worked with many SDP families on self-employment goals. The fastest path forward is usually for the coordinator to consult with the SDRC SDP team at sdp@sdrc.org, or for the family to request a meeting that includes someone from the SDP team directly. The category of Supported Self-Employment is a recognized service area — sometimes the coordinator simply needs the right reference points.
Where do I find the SCDD orientation for SDP?
Visit scdd.ca.gov and look for the Self-Determination Program orientation registration page. As of April 1, 2026, SCDD is the only approved provider of the SDP orientation statewide. The orientation is offered in two parts of two hours each, both delivered virtually at no cost.
Who can I email if I have questions specific to SDP in San Diego?
Contact SDRC's SDP team directly at sdp@sdrc.org, or visit sdrc.org/sdp for the most current information.
<a name="resources"></a>
Trusted Resources and Direct Links
The following resources are the official, verified sources for information about SDRC, the SDP, and the broader system. We recommend going directly to these sources for the most current information.
Official Sources
San Diego Regional Center — Main Site: sdrc.org
SDRC Self-Determination Program Page: sdrc.org/sdp
SDRC SDP Email:sdp@sdrc.org
California Department of Developmental Services SDP Homepage: dds.ca.gov/initiatives/sdp/
DDS SDP Frequently Asked Questions: dds.ca.gov/initiatives/sdp/frequently-asked-questions/
California State Council on Developmental Disabilities (SCDD): scdd.ca.gov
San Diego Community Resources
SDRC Local Advisory Committee for SDP — meets the first Thursday of every month at 11:00 AM, typically via Zoom. Open to the public. Contact sdp@sdrc.org for current meeting information.
Special Needs Resource Foundation of San Diego — a community organization with extensive SDP resources and a directory of San Diego County Independent Facilitators and FMS providers.
SDRC HCBS Resources Site: sdrc-hcbs.info — additional information on Home and Community-Based Services and SDP.
Helpful National and Statewide Resources
NeuroNav — an independent organization that provides educational content on California's SDP, including budget planning and service categories.
Undivided — a paid resource platform with extensive SDP step-by-step guides.
A Final Note for San Diego Families
The San Diego Regional Center and the Self-Determination Program represent some of the most powerful pathways available in California for autistic adults seeking real, individualized independence. The SDP, in particular, is a remarkable program — purpose-built to give individuals and families the flexibility to choose providers who genuinely fit their goals, even when those providers fall outside the traditional vendor list.
For families wondering whether supported self-employment could be the right path for their autistic adult, the next step is straightforward: a conversation with your Service Coordinator, a clear IPP goal, and a provider whose work fits your loved one's life.
Caliminds Launchpad is one of those providers. Founded by autistic entrepreneur Sam Fawaz, Caliminds Launchpad works one-on-one with autistic adults across San Diego County — Poway, Ramona, La Jolla, Carlsbad, Del Mar, Carmel Valley, Rancho Santa Fe, Encinitas, Escondido, and beyond — to turn special interests, hobbies, and creative talents into small home-based businesses that finally fit the way the autistic mind actually works.
The first conversation is free. There is no sales pitch, no commitment, and no pressure. Sam reads every message personally and responds within one business day.
Ready to Take the First Step?
👉 Book your free discovery call with Sam Fawaz at Caliminds Launchpad — San Diego's dedicated autism business coach and supported self-employment mentor.
Available to all San Diego County families enrolled in the SDRC Self-Determination Program. Fully funded through your FMS via an IPP-approved Supported Self-Employment goal.
Or reach Sam directly: Email:sam@calimindslaunchpad.comPhone / Text: (619) 877-5020
Final Footer Note
This guide is provided for informational purposes only by Caliminds Launchpad, an independent business coaching practice. Caliminds Launchpad is not affiliated with or formally vendorized by the San Diego Regional Center. We are an independent provider available to families enrolled in the SDRC Self-Determination Program through their individual budget and chosen Financial Management Service. All program rules, eligibility criteria, and service categories described on this page are subject to change. For the most current information, always consult your SDRC Service Coordinator or the official sources listed above.