Empowered FuturesFree tools
Already in SDP
Renewal Countdown
Enter when your budget year started and see when to begin next year’s plan, budget and spending plan, so the new year starts on time with no gap.
See my dates Already in SDPBudget Builder
Pick the services, set the hours per week, month or year, and see what the plan comes to at your regional center, line by line and for the year.
Build a budget Already in SDPHiring Your Own Staff
The steps from deciding to hire to the first paid shift, in order, as a checklist that remembers where you are.
Open the checklist Already in SDPRate Changes
What moved in the DDS rate models, by regional center, each time the Department replaces a workbook. Checked weekly.
See what changed
Spending Plan Cost Calculator
The wage is not the cost. Work out the loaded hourly cost of a staffed line including payroll taxes and workers’ compensation, whether or not your FMS includes it.
Cost a lineGetting started
Choice, Control and Risk
Bill Payer, Co-Employer or Sole Employer? The twelve questions I walk families through: who does the work, risk, insurance, background checks and being the employer, with a recommended model at the end.
Click through Getting startedWhich FMS Model
Four questions that point to Bill Payer, Co-Employer or Sole Employer, with the three models side by side.
Find my model
SDP Timeline Estimator
Pick where you are in the process and see every step that is left, a realistic date range for each, and the month SDP could start. Uses the real upcoming orientation dates.
See my timeline
SDP Orientation Dates
Every upcoming Part A and Part B session on a calendar, each with its own Zoom registration link.
See the dates
Regional Center Finder
Type a street address to find the regional center that serves it, its main number and its Self-Determination Program page, on a map of all 21 centers.
Find my center
SDP Rate Lookup
The service codes that land on a spending plan. Search by name, code or sub code, see what it pays at your regional center, and compare the same service across all twenty-one.
Open the lookup
FMS Finder
Every Financial Management Service, by regional center: models, languages, contacts, and the approved employer burden with workers’ comp flagged in or out.
Find an FMS
HCBS Activity Finder
663 HCBS-compliant programs from the Regional Center of Orange County area, searchable by activity and city. Tick the ones you like, then print the list, text it to yourself or email it.
Find an activity For professionalsReferral Sheet and QR Flyer
For therapists, teachers, doctors and community organizations: how to refer a family, what it costs them, and printable materials to share.
Get the materialsNext step
Looked it up? The next step is putting it in a plan.
Rates, costs and activities only count once they are written into a Person-Centered Plan and a spending plan the regional center approves. Reach out and I will walk you through where to start.
For independent facilitators
DDS Updates
New Department of Developmental Services directives and rate changes, summarized in plain language with a link to each source.
Read the updates For facilitatorsBudget Builder
Pick the services, set the hours per week, month or year, and see what the plan comes to at your regional center, line by line and for the year.
Build a budget For facilitatorsRate Changes
Every rate that moved, by regional center and posting, with was and now. Checked weekly against the DDS files.
See what changed 099099 Rate Finder
What Self-Directed Supports pays where you work, with the older schedule DDS still publishes shown alongside so you can spot which figure a regional center is using.
Find your rate PDSPDS Code Finder
Every DDS service code, split into the ones with a participant-directed or Parent Coordinated option and the ones without, with the rate for each option at every regional center.
Find the codes All codesDDS Rate Tool
Full rate tables lookup: every code the Department publishes, including site-based day programs, transportation and mileage add-ons, for all twenty-one regional centers.
Open the full tables TrainingIF CertificationComing soon
Twenty-five modules on the whole job, including the parts other courses stop short of: reconciliation, utilization, year-end review and audit protection.
See what it covers MentoringIF MentoringComing soon
Small cohorts, live consults on your own cases, and someone experienced to check your work before a regional center does.
Join a cohortAlso available as one spreadsheet: every rate, every regional center, one file. Reference only; confirm the current published rate with the regional center before invoicing.
Ready to start your SDP journey?
Reach out and I will walk you through the very first step. No pressure, and no cost to get started.
Serving self-advocates and families across every California Regional Center.