Empowered FuturesIndependent Facilitation
Self-Determination Program · Updates
The Department of Developmental Services publishes new directives and rate changes for regional centers every month. These are the ones that matter to participants and families, in plain language, with a link to the source for each.
Since August 31, 2026 the Department of Rehabilitation has been placing some people on a waiting list. While someone referred to them is waiting, the regional center must fund job development and job coaching, so there is no need to wait to start. Anyone who already has a signed Individualized Plan for Employment is not affected, and student services continue.
Each regional center was funded to hire a Deaf Access Specialist. Their job is to find and improve services for people who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing or DeafBlind, train regional center staff on language access and Deaf culture, and make communication materials accessible. You can ask your service coordinator to connect you.
The IRS mileage rate rose from 72.5 cents to 76 cents a mile, so every rate model that includes mileage was increased effective July 1, 2026. The updated Rates Only files are on the DDS rate models page. The rate tools on this site use the files reposted September 23, 2026.
Starting November 1, 2026, infant development and specialized therapeutic services delivered remotely are paid under new rules: occasional remote visits at the usual rate, regular remote services at the clinic rate. Remote services still have to match what is written in the child's IFSP. How families get services does not change.
Since November 1, 2025, providers of several in-home and community services who travel more than the miles assumed in the rate models can receive an additional payment. This revision adds more service codes to that method. It mainly helps families in rural areas keep providers willing to make the drive.
The budget law sets aside up to one million dollars a year, through June 30, 2030, for the Local Volunteer Advisory Committees that oversee SDP at each regional center. It can be used only for statewide standardized training and local community resource fairs. Expect more SDP trainings and resource fairs as this money reaches the committees.
People can keep choosing to receive some services remotely, including day programs, independent living services and some behavioral services, through the end of 2028. The choice has to be written in the IPP, and remote services cannot replace or reduce access to in-person services.
A single grievance process replaces the old individual rights and citizen complaint processes. It covers an IPP that was not developed in a person-centered way, services that are not delivered in a person-centered way, and residential settings that may not meet the federal home and community-based services rules. The regional center investigates and proposes a resolution, and the Department can review it.
As of July 14, 2026, employment service providers do not have to be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities. The Department of Rehabilitation and DDS are also aligning their requirements so more providers can serve people looking for competitive integrated employment.
The law now states plainly that hourly supported living staff earn time and a half for hours over 40 in a week, with the week running Sunday through Saturday unless the provider sets another schedule. Providers already had to do this; the law removes confusion with federal rules.
Since August 1, 2026, anyone who goes through intake can take an anonymous online survey about the experience. The regional center includes a flyer about it with the letter saying whether the person is eligible.
Since July 1, 2025, people under 21 with fee-for-service Medi-Cal can access behavioral health treatment through their primary care physician, not only through the regional center. This revised guidance updates the details.
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Text me which update you are asking about and I will tell you what it means for your services.