Supporting someone in SDP
Family, friends and circles of support make SDP work. Here's how to help while the person you support stays in the lead.
In short
- The person you support makes the choices. You help them choose.
- You can help with paperwork, meetings and keeping track of the budget.
- Supported Decision-Making is a legal way to help without taking over.
- Take care of yourself too. Free family support is available in Orange County.
Support, not control
Self-determination works best when supporters help a person make their own choices and learn from them.
Start from "yes, they can"
Assume the person can understand and decide, with the right information and support.
Ask, then listen
Ask what they want. Use words, pictures or examples that work for them, and give time to answer.
Offer real choices
Show options side by side, including ones you might not pick yourself.
Leave room to learn
Everyone learns by trying. Plan for safety, then let small risks happen.
Carry the paperwork, not the decisions
Help with forms, schedules and statements, and check back with the person on every decision.
A way to help that keeps rights in place
With Supported Decision-Making (SDM), a person chooses trusted supporters to help them understand options, think things through and communicate decisions. The final decision stays with the person.
California law recognizes Supported Decision-Making agreements, as part of the 2022 law that reformed conservatorship (AB 1663). Supporters the person chooses can join them in meetings like IEP, medical and legal appointments.
SDM, conservatorship and authorized representatives
Supported Decision-Making: the person decides, with help from people they choose.
Authorized representative: someone the person chooses to act for them in certain matters, like their regional center services.
Conservatorship: a court gives someone legal authority over some decisions. It's the most restrictive option, and SDM is often explored first.
This is general information, not legal advice. OCRA and Disability Rights California can help with questions.
Helping with SDP tasks
These habits make SDP smoother for everyone. Do them together with the person you support.
- Keep one SDP folder with the IPP, orientation certificates, budget, spending plan, FMS statements and service agreements.
- Read the monthly FMS statement together. Check spending by category and what's left for the year.
- Review invoices and timesheets before approving. Dates, times and tasks should match what happened.
- Write down changes in needs, health or living situation. They may mean a budget adjustment at the next IPP meeting.
- Know the appeal deadlines. 60 days to appeal a Notice of Action, and 30 days to keep services the same during the appeal.
- Grow the circle. Invite friends, neighbors and community members to be part of the plan.
Can I be paid to support my family member?
Sometimes. Here's what the DDS SDP rules say, in short:
- Legally responsible people, generally parents of minor children and spouses, usually can't be paid for duties they're already responsible for.
- A parent who is an adult child's conservator, or has a durable power of attorney, may be paid for SDP services they're qualified to provide.
- Other relatives can often be hired through an employer model (Co-Employer or Sole Employer).
- Workers who give direct personal care need a DDS background check, except paid family members who live in the same home.
Check with your FMS and service coordinator about your situation. Source: DDS SDP FAQ.
Take care of yourself too
Comfort Connection Family Resource Center
Free parent-to-parent support, a lending library and local events, from RCOC. English, Spanish and Vietnamese.
(714) 558-5400
Visit Comfort ConnectionSCDD Orange County office
Advocacy, trainings and help understanding regional center services and SDP.
(714) 558-4404
Visit SCDD Orange CountyRespite in SDP
Respite gives family caregivers a break. In SDP it can be part of the spending plan (codes 310 and 311).
How spending plans workHow we partner with families
We work for the person we support. With their permission, we keep you in the loop.
- The person decides who we share updates with, and what we share.
- We check in regularly about how things are going and what to change.
- You can reach us easily with the change or cancel form or the feedback form.
- We follow the plan: the IPP, the spending plan and our written service agreement.
Have questions about getting started?
Fill out our short form together with the person you support, and we'll set up a time to meet.