When you start learning about SDP, one of the first terms you'll run into is IF (Independent Facilitator).
You may understand that "an IF helps you build your PCP (Person-Centered Plan)," but then wonder: Do we have to use one? How is it paid for? How do we find one? Today, let's look at the IF in terms of structure rather than feelings.
Part 1. What Does an IF Do?
In one sentence: an IF guides, organizes, and coordinates the process of building an SDP participant's PCP and designing their Spending Plan.
What an IF does
| Area | What the IF provides |
|---|---|
| Facilitation | Plans and leads PCP meetings |
| Documentation | Organizes goals, needs, and preferences, reflects them in the plan, and puts them in writing |
| Planning support | Helps develop the Spending Plan (ideas for allocating the budget, organizing line items, etc.) |
| Coordination | Organizes and coordinates communication with the regional center, the FMS, and providers |
| Guidance | Walks you through the steps from orientation to the start of services |
What an IF doesn't do
| Area | What the IF does not do |
|---|---|
| Direct services | Does not provide therapy or services directly |
| Financial management | Managing the budget, payroll, and taxes is the FMS's role |
| Legal representation | Is not a legal representative or an advocate |
| Final decisions | Decisions are made by the participant/family (the IF doesn't decide for you) |
Part 2. Do You Have to Use One?
The short answer: an IF is not required.
Three common ways to build a PCP
| Approach | Description | Works well when |
|---|---|---|
| Use an IF | A facilitator leads the PCP process | SDP is new to you, or the process feels unfamiliar |
| Help from your SC | Ask your current service coordinator for support | You have a good relationship with your SC, and your SC has SDP experience |
| Family does it directly | The family builds and leads the PCP on their own | You already understand the structure and can handle paperwork and coordination yourself |
Some families get help from an IF at first and then take over themselves once they're comfortable.
Part 3. How to Decide Whether to Use an IF
When an IF is likely to help
| Checkpoint | Why it helps |
|---|---|
| SDP is completely new to you | Reduces the sticking points at each step (PCP, Spending Plan, coordination) |
| You don't have a feel for the PCP or Spending Plan | Strong at turning goals into a workable written plan |
| Communication with the regional center often gets tangled | Structures requests and keeps records in the middle |
| Writing documents in English is a burden | Eases the load of wording and formatting |
When you may be fine without one
| Checkpoint | Why it can work |
|---|---|
| You already understand how SDP works | You may be at a stage where doing matters more than facilitating |
| Your SC knows SDP well and is proactive | Some of the coordination can be covered |
| You can handle paperwork, records, and finding providers yourself | You can do the IF's core tasks on your own |
| You've gathered plenty of SDP experience from others | You have a foundation to avoid trial and error |
Part 4. How Is an IF Paid For?
When you first start SDP, the regional center will pay for someone to help you create your initial Person-Centered Plan (PCP), if you want that help. If you keep working with an IF after you enter SDP, that cost is paid from the participant's Individual Budget. Rather than the family paying out of pocket, it's a matter of choosing how much of your SDP budget to set aside for planning support.
However, how planning-support costs are handled during the transition into SDP can vary by center. So if you're considering an IF, the quickest step is to ask your SC: "During the SDP transition, how does our center handle PCP / planning-support costs?"
Three practical things to keep in mind
| Point | What it means |
|---|---|
| Spending on an IF can mean less for other items | The budget is fixed, so it's a question of how you allocate it |
| Each IF has a different fee structure | Hourly, package, and other arrangements may differ |
| Front-loading support and scaling back later can be efficient | Get help during setup, then do routine tasks yourself or keep support minimal |
Part 5. How Do You Find an IF?
We don't recommend specific providers — this section only covers where to look.
| Where to look | How |
|---|---|
| 1) Ask your regional center | Many centers have an IF list or a referral process |
| 2) SCDD resources | Regional SDP information, training, and connections |
| 3) SDP parent communities | Information based on families' actual experience working with an IF |
| 4) Your regional center's SDP Local Advisory Committee | Can be a way to share local information and network |
What to check when choosing an IF (these three are enough)
| Check | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| How much SDP experience they have | Directly tied to their ability to see the process through to the end |
| Whether they've worked with your regional center | Fewer surprises from center-specific procedures |
| Whether their communication style fits | Email vs. phone, response time, and language (for example, whether they speak Korean) greatly affect satisfaction |
Three Common Misunderstandings
| Myth | Reality |
|---|---|
| Myth 1: You can't do SDP without an IF | An IF is optional. You can get help from your SC or run the process yourselves. |
| Myth 2: The IF will take care of everything | An IF is a helper. The family makes the decisions; the IF helps structure, document, and coordinate them. |
| Myth 3: IFs are too expensive to use | Help with your first PCP is paid by the regional center; after that, it's a choice made within the Individual Budget. Details can vary by center. Before giving up because of cost, check how payment works. |
Wrap-Up
An IF isn't someone you must have — it's someone who can help, depending on your situation. Choose what fits your family.
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).