Provider Info

What is a SDP business provider?

Has someone asked if you’re an SDP provider? You don’t need to be a regional center vendor. If you are already a regional center vendor, do you want to join the SDP fun?

You’re in the right place!

What is the Self-Determination Program?

In California, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities can get services to help them live their best lives. These are provided through twenty-one regional centers. Usually, the regional center picks and pays the provider. But in the Self-Determination Program, the person gets to pick who helps them—and how!

The person gets a budget and makes a plan for the services they want. Then they go out and choose who will help them. That’s where you come in—they picked YOU!

SDP providers do not have to be regional center vendors or follow a regional center program plan. This gives you the opportunity to customize your services to the needs of your participants. Current providers enjoy the ability to be flexible and cast off the one-size-fits-all model!!

How do SDP Providers get Paid?

If you help someone in SDP, you’ll get paid by their Financial Management Service (FMS). Think of the FMS like a friendly bill-payer.

The person you’re working with will tell you which FMS they use. You’ll fill out some simple forms, and then you’re ready to go!

Once you’re set up, you can serve other people who use that same FMS too!

What is an FMS?

FMS stands for Financial Management Service. They pay for all the services in the SDP participant’s plan. They are funded through state and federal funding paid by regional centers. FMS’s are vendored by the regional centers. They will:

Pay you for your services
Handle taxes and paperwork
Can pay by check, credit card, or electric fund transfer (EFT)

Each FMS is a little different, so always check how they pay.

What Should Be on My Invoice?

Your invoice is your bill for services. It should include:

The person’s name
The service code (the participant will give it to you)
What service you provided
The date service was provided
The total amount due

The person has to say they got the service. You can have them sign the invoice, or email it to them to send to the FMS. Some FMS will get the signature for you—easy peasy!