In the last guide, we looked at why families stall on SDP. One of the most common sticking points is "waiting for an orientation date."
But if you do nothing while you wait, it's easy to stall again even after orientation. Today, here are three low-pressure things you can do during the wait. Each takes about 10 minutes.
Part 1. Make a List of the Services You Receive Now
I mentioned this at the end of the last guide, but probably not many people have actually done it. All you need is one sheet of paper.
Current services (just what you remember)
| Service | Where / who provides it | How often | Who pays | Satisfaction / notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Speech therapy | ○○ Center | 2x/week | Insurance | OK |
| Learning/coaching (e.g., tutoring) | △△ Provider | 2x/week | Regional center or other | Good |
| Respite | Individual | 20 hrs/month | Regional center | Not enough |
Writing this out shows you two things:
| What you'll see | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Items marked "Not enough" | This is where you may want to make changes through SDP |
| Who pays (insurance / school / regional center / other) | This is key later when sorting out your budget and other funding sources (generic resources) |
It doesn't need to be perfect. Writing down what you remember is enough.
Part 2. Write One Line: "If I Could Change Just One Thing…"
Looking at your list, ask yourself: "If I could change just one of these, what would it be?"
This is the starting point of the Person-Centered Plan (PCP), which is at the heart of SDP. It doesn't need to be a big goal.
Examples
- "I'd like more respite hours."
- "Our current learning/coaching provider isn't a good fit, and I'd like to change."
- "I think swimming would help my child, but I was told it's hard to arrange the way things work now."
That one line becomes your first goal when you build your PCP after orientation. If you don't write it down, you end up asking, "So what do I do?" If you do, the question becomes, "How do I make this change?"
Part 3. Check Orientation Dates and Sign Up
It's the simplest step, and the one people put off the most. Just do one of these:
| Option | What to do | Why it helps |
|---|---|---|
| 1) Your regional center's website | Search "Self-Determination" or "SDP" → check dates / sign up | The most basic route; see your center's guidance in one place |
| 2) SCDD or other official orientations | Check dates and sign up | An alternative if your center's dates don't work for you |
| 3) Email your SC | "I'm interested in SDP orientation. Could you let me know the next dates?" | The quickest way to confirm what applies to your case |
Note: To join SDP, you need to complete an orientation that meets DDS requirements. How it's run and which sessions count can vary by center, so checking with your SC is the surest way.
The moment you sign up for orientation, "later" turns into "when."
Summary: Three Steps at a Glance
| # | What to do now | Time | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | List your current services | 10 min | What you receive now is on one page |
| 2 | One line: "If I could change one thing?" | 3 min | You have your first SDP goal |
| 3 | Check / sign up for orientation | 5 min | "Later" becomes "when" |
All three together take less than 20 minutes. And those 20 minutes can make everything after orientation go much more smoothly.
Three Common Misunderstandings
| Myth | Reality |
|---|---|
| Myth 1: Nothing can start until after orientation | Orientation is the official first step, but you can prepare before it. If you've done these three things, orientation becomes a time to confirm, not a flood of new information. |
| Myth 2: After orientation, you move straight to the next step | After orientation there are still steps: writing the PCP, choosing an FMS, and choosing an IF if you want one. Having things organized ahead of time helps you move faster. |
| Myth 3: I'm not ready yet | Making a service list isn't "being ready" — it's "checking where you are." You can do it before deciding about SDP, and it's completely fine to conclude "not yet" afterward. |
Wrap-Up
Time spent waiting doesn't have to be time standing still. Even 10 minutes can change your next step. In the next guide, we'll look at a term that comes up often in SDP — the IF (Independent Facilitator) — and whether you really need one.
Further Reading
Please note
This guide is general information for California families new to developmental disability services. It is not legal or medical advice. Rules and procedures can change, so please confirm current details with DDS and your regional center or your service coordinator (SC).