Who it's for: people interested in the Self-Determination Program (SDP) — adults receiving regional center services, parents or legal guardians of a minor, and conservators or authorized representatives of an adult served by a regional center.
How the orientation works (since April 1, 2026)
- Two parts, two hours each. You must complete both Part A and Part B before beginning the SDP transition. Part A is required before Part B.
- If you completed the orientation before April 1, 2026, or are already enrolled, you don't need to retake it.
- Certificates are emailed to people who attend a full session and submit the required information: the first and last name of the person served by the regional center and their Unique Client Identifier (UCI). Certificates typically arrive within two weeks, and SCDD shares them with DDS to support enrollment.
What's covered
- Part A: California's developmental disabilities system; service models (traditional, participant-directed, Self-Determination); the person-centered plan, Individual Program Plan and individual budget.
- Part B: the spending plan, independent facilitators, financial management services vendors and models, getting ready.
Slides and view-only recordings (no certificate) are on the page in English/ASL and Spanish. Register for live sessions from the page's registration calendar.
Contact: sdporientation@scdd.ca.gov. Nevada County's regional center is Alta California Regional Center.
See also: Types of Regional Center Services.
Source: SCDD — Statewide Self-Determination Program Orientation, scdd.ca.gov/sdp-orientation (checked 2026-09-28). Lead from the SCDD September newsletter.