RIGHTS UNDER THE LANTERMAN ACT

Chapter Eleven
Self-Directed Services Program

[Note: Implementation of the SDS Program has been delayed.
The SDS Program is not currently available statewide.]

·       SDS – An Alternative Service Model

·       Who is Eligible?

·       How Will My SDS Budget be Determined?

·       Who Will Assist Me In SDS?

·       How Will I Find and Obtain Services and Supports?

·       Can I Go Back to the Regular Regional Center Service Model?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Written by: PROTECTION AND ADVOCACY, INC.
Publication #5063.01 – English
Copyright © 1983 by PAI - REVISED EDITION 2006
Protection and Advocacy, Inc. (PAI), is a nonprofit agency that works with people with disabilities. PAI provides a variety of advocacy services, including information and referral, technical assistance, and direct representation. For information or assistance with an immediate problem, call:

PAI

Toll Free: (800) 776-5746
www.pai-ca.org

PAI receives funding from a variety of state and federal programs, providing advocacy services to people with disabilities under seven federal statutes and two state contracts. Any opinions, findings, recommendations or conclusions expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the organizations which fund PAI.

OCRA

Toll Free: (800) 390-7032

The Office of Clients’ Rights Advocacy (OCRA) is a statewide office run by Protection & Advocacy, Inc., through a contract with the California Department of Developmental Services. OCRA employs a Clients’ Rights Advocate (CRA) at each regional center. The CRA is a person trained to help protect the rights of people with developmental disabilities. Appendix Z lists the Clients’ Rights Advocate for each regional center along with their contact information.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. What is the Self-Directed Services Program? 11-1

2. When will the regional centers start the SDS Program? 11-2

3. What is the purpose of SDS? 11-1

4. What is the Independence Plus Self-Directed (IPSD) Waiver Program? 11-2

5. What are self-directed services? 11-2

6. Will SDS be available in all regional center areas? 11-3

7. If I am a regional center consumer, do I have to participate in the SDS Program? 11-3

8. Where can I get information about the SDS Program? 11-3

9. I want to be in the SDS Program. What are the criteria for eligibility? 11-3

10. I currently live in a licensed long-term health care facility or residential facility, or receive day program or habilitation services, but I want to participate in SDS. What should I do to qualify for SDS? 11-5

11. What are the terms and conditions of the SDS program? 11-5

12. What should be in the individual program plan? 11-5

13. I want to be in the SDS Program. What do I need to do to enroll? 11-6

14. If I am not on Medi-Cal, may I still participate in the SDS Program? 11-6

15. What services does the SDS Program provide? 11-6

16. May I self-direct some services and not others? 11-8

17. What is an individual budget? 11-8

18. How is the individual budget formulated? 11-8

19. What if I do not agree with my individual budget amount? 11-9

20. How many times can I ask for my individual budget to be calculated? 11-9

21. How will my individual budget be distributed? 11-9

22. May I transfer funds between the budget categories? 11-10

23. How will I know how much money I have spent? 11-10

24. May I purchase a house or a car? 11-10

25. May I use the money to start a small business? 11-10

26. May I purchase advocacy services?