Self Determination Program
At Santa Monica Speaks, we support children, teens, and adults in building communication skills for connection, independence, and everyday life.
We work with individuals and families using California’s Self-Determination Program (SDP) to provide personalized speech-language services centered on each person’s strengths, preferences, and goals.
What Is the Self-Determination Program?
The Self-Determination Program is a voluntary option for eligible California Regional Center participants. It gives individuals and families more flexibility in choosing providers and arranging services that support the goals in their Individual Program Plan (IPP).
Through SDP, participants use an individual budget and an approved spending plan to access eligible services. A Financial Management Services (FMS) provider handles payments and verifies provider requirements.
How to Get Started
1. Tell us about your goals.
Contact our team to discuss services for yourself or a family member. We’ll learn about your communication needs, priorities, and current SDP arrangements.
2. Coordinate with your SDP team.
Work with your service coordinator, independent facilitator if applicable, and FMS provider to confirm funding requirements and include appropriate services in your spending plan.
3. Confirm the details.
Before services begin, we’ll confirm availability, rates, provider paperwork, and payment arrangements.
The Support We Offer
Communication and Community Participation
Build practical communication skills for home, school, work, and community settings. Support may address expressing preferences, understanding information, asking for assistance, and participating in activities.
Executive Functioning and Daily Routines
Develop strategies for planning, organizing, following directions, completing tasks, and navigating transitions. We connect these skills to routines and responsibilities that matter to each individual.
Adaptive Skills and Independence
Strengthen communication and functional skills that support everyday independence, including making choices, solving problems, navigating unfamiliar situations, and communicating during daily tasks.
Social Communication and Relationships
Explore conversation, shared activities, flexible thinking, and relationship skills through individualized support. Goals prioritize meaningful connection while respecting each person’s communication style.
Self-Advocacy and AAC
Practice expressing boundaries, requesting accommodations, and participating in decisions. For individuals who benefit from AAC, we support communication through devices, pictures, gestures, writing, and speech.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can SDP funding cover speech-language services?
Speech-language services may be eligible when they meet SDP requirements, support the participant’s IPP goals, and are included in the approved spending plan. Available resources, including insurance and school-based services, must be considered first.
Does my child need to be a current Santa Monica Speaks client?
No. New families are welcome to contact us to discuss their needs and current availability.
Which FMS providers do you work with?
Please contact our team so we can confirm whether payment arrangements can be established.
Let’s Take the Next Step Together
Have questions about speech-language services through SDP? We’d love to learn about you or your family member and help you explore the next steps.