1. SB 468 Self-Determination
Gabriel Rogin
Executive Director, Area Board 5
State Council on Developmental Disabilities

2. What is SCDD? Independent State agency Established by:
Federal & State law
Composed of:
State Council
31 Governor-appointed members
13 Area Boards (Regional Offices)
Located throughout California
Councils on Developmental Disabilities are established in each state through the federal Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act. This Act also creates state Protection and Advocacy Systems, Centers for Excellence, and Projects of National Significance. Each entity has a federally assigned responsibility designed to improve services for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families, and enhance independence, productivity and inclusion.
The State Council is uniquely composed of individuals with a developmental disability, parents and family members of people with developmental disabilities, and representatives of State agencies that provides services to individuals with developmental disabilities. The council consist of 29 members appointed by the Governor, with individual and family consumers representing a minimum of 60 percent of the membership. The council also has 13 Area Boards located throughout the State to assist the council in carrying out its mission and ensure that local needs are identified and met.

3. Our Goals Independence Productivity Integration Inclusion
To have control of your life; make your own decisions and choices
Productivity
To work or make other contributions to a household or community
Integration
Right to the same opportunities, services, community resources as all other Americans
Inclusion
To fully participate, be welcome in social, educational, work and community life
There are principles which direct all of the activities of the Council. It is the first filter through which all work of the Council must flow. There are four primary principles in the DD Act.

4. What is Self-Determination
“Self-Determination” means a voluntary delivery system consisting of a defined and comprehensive mix of services and supports, selected and directed by a participant through person-centered planning, in order to meet the objectives in his or her IPP. Self-Determination services and supports are designed to assist the participant to achieve personally defined outcomes in community settings that promote inclusion.

5. Background Increased choice, flexibility and control
Increased access for underserved communities
Reduced bureaucracy/Increased transparency
29 other states have SD in place
California pilots demonstrated increased:
satisfaction
innovation
cost-effectiveness

6. Implementation Contingent upon federal waiver
Phased in over 3 years (2500 participants statewide, including existing pilots)
Nearly all individuals with IPP through regional centers can eventually participate
Voluntary – Enter/Exit at almost any time

7. Individual Budgets Remains within IPP process
Previous 12 months of POS expenditures
I.D. Team can make changes to budget, if necessary
Uniform budget categories
New or generic services, hiring workers, etc.
Only services eligible for Federal Financial Participation

8. Proposed Services Advocacy Services Live-In Caregiver
Behavioral Intervention Services
Nutritional Consultation
Communication Support
Optometric/Optician Services
Community Integration and Employment Supports
Participant-directed Goods and Services
Personal Emergency Response System
Community Living Supports
Psychology Services
Crisis Intervention and Support
Respite
Dental Services
Skilled Nursing
Environmental Accessibility Adaptations
Specialized Medical Equipment and Supplies
Family Assistance and Supports
Financial Management Service
Specialized Therapeutic Services
Home Health Aide
Speech, Hearing and Language Services
Homemaker
Technology
Housing Access Supports
Training and Counseling Services for Unpaid Caregivers
Independent Facilitator
Individual Training and Education
Transition/Set-Up Expenses
Integrative Therapies
Transportation
Lenses and Frames
Vehicle Modifications and Adaptations

9. Independent Facilitators
Selected and paid for by participant
Can’t provide other services
Assist in IPP development, including the identification of service providers
Regional center case manager is an option

10. Financial Management Service
Vendored by regional centers – paid for by individual budget (except background checks)
Manage/direct funds
Ensure that funds are not overspent
Accounting/taxes/employment laws
Verify service provider qualifications
Monthly budget updates

11. Oversight Background checks required for non-vendors
Oversight locally and statewide (State Council, Disability Rights California and community)
DDS reports to legislature

12. Local Advisory Committees
One for each Regional Center
Monitors the SD Program
Makes recommendations
Area Board and RC each appoints half
Some advisory committees are already set but there are a few in LA that have been decided on yet. If you are interested, you can contact the Area Board for more information.

13. Five Questions to Ask Yourself
1. Do you have a complicated set of services?
Do you get lots of different types of services? Do you want to control how they all work together?

14. Five Questions to Ask Yourself
2. Have you had a lot of denials, conflicts with RC or fair hearings?
Does the RC say “no” to your requests? Do you disagree with them about what is best for you?

15. Five Questions to Ask Yourself
3. Have you lost services due to budget cuts and changes to the Lanterman Act?
Have you lost services you once had in the last few years?

16. Five Questions to Ask Yourself
4. Do you need or want unique services not typically offered by Regional Centers?
Maybe you’ve always wanted to take a cooking class, join a model train club, or do ballroom dancing. RC can’t pay for these but SD can!

17. Five Questions to Ask Yourself
5. Do you want to start a business, get good work training or get a good paying job?
Under SD, you could set aside money to help you start a business or get job training.

18. Are you READY to take on the RESPONSIBILITY??
And Finally…
Are you READY to take on the RESPONSIBILITY??
???
It is very important to remember that you are using tax payer money and you have to use it responsibly. You must also remember that if something goes wrong, you are responsible to resolve it.

19. What to do now Think strategically
Dear Regional Center,
I need X,Y and Z services.
Yours Sincerely,
Think strategically
Ask for all of the services you need now
Go to fair hearing when denied
Learn and share what you know

20. Common Questions
Can I move money around in my budget?
Only 10% from one category to
another.
What happens if I move to a different regional center?
You can stay in Self-Determination.

21. Common Questions, cont’d
What if I want to leave the Self-Determination Program or I become ineligible for some reason?
You can go back to traditional
services.
If I leave Self-Determination by choice can I return?
Yes but you must wait 12 months.

22. Common Questions, cont’d
What if I disagree with regional center about my eligibility or the amount of money in my budget?
You can appeal the decision.

23. Additional Questions
What orientation/training for will be available for participants?
How will regional center caseload size impact service planning and delivery?
Will Self-Determination increase access for underserved communities?

24. Resources Disability Rights California: www.disabilityrightsca.org
The Center for Self-Determination:
Senate Bill 468:
The Autism Society of Los Angeles: