Your complete guide to the services, programs, and activities available to your family through the Inland Regional Center and the Self-Determination Program. Real information. Plain language. No jargon.
Before you can access the Self-Determination Program, you first need to be connected to the Inland Regional Center. Here is what it is and how it works.
IRC is a non-profit agency funded by the State of California that has served individuals with developmental disabilities in Riverside and San Bernardino counties since 1972. It currently supports more than 35,000 people across both counties.
IRC does not provide services directly. Instead it acts as a gateway, connecting individuals and families to approved service providers in the community. Think of IRC as your advocate and coordinator who helps build and fund your support plan.
Services are funded under the Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Services Act, a California law that guarantees eligible individuals the services they need to live more independent and fulfilling lives.
1365 S. Waterman Avenue, San Bernardino, CA 92408
Phone: (909) 890-3000 | Mon to Fri 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Website: www.inlandrc.org
San Bernardino County: (909) 890-3148
Riverside County: (951) 826-2648
Early Start (ages 0 to 3): (909) 890-4711
IRC serves individuals in Riverside and San Bernardino counties who have one of the following developmental disabilities that originated before age 18:
If your child is under 3 and you are concerned about a developmental delay, IRC has a separate Early Start program. You do not need a formal diagnosis to apply. Infants and toddlers who show developmental delays or who are at risk of a delay may qualify for early intervention services.
IRC is the payer of last resort. This means your family must first use other available resources like school district services, private insurance, and Medi-Cal before IRC steps in to fund additional services. However, once those resources are exhausted, IRC can cover a wide range of supports.
The Self-Determination Program (SDP) is a way of receiving Regional Center services where you are in charge. Instead of the Regional Center choosing your providers, you choose them yourself and manage your own budget.
The SDP was signed into law in 2013 under SB 468 and became available to all eligible Regional Center clients statewide starting July 1, 2021. It operates under five core principles:
To join the Self-Determination Program you must:
Your budget is based on what the Regional Center spent on your services in the most recent 12 months. Your IPP planning team can adjust it up or down if your needs or circumstances have changed. You and your team then create a spending plan that outlines exactly how those funds will be used.
Helps you create your Person-Centered Plan, build your spending plan, find service providers, and advocate for you. Optional but strongly recommended, especially when first enrolling. IRC funds the IF during your transition into SDP.
Required in SDP. This agency manages your budget by processing payments to providers, handling payroll taxes for any hired support workers, and tracking your spending to keep you on track. You choose which FMS agency to work with from a list of approved providers.
Your existing Regional Center service coordinator continues to be part of your team. They help determine your budget, review your spending plan, and ensure it aligns with your Individual Program Plan (IPP) goals.
This is where SDP becomes powerful for families. Unlike traditional Regional Center services, SDP opens the door to a much wider range of activities and providers, including sports, arts, life skills training, and community programs. Below are real examples of what families are using SDP funds for right now.
Certified therapists for speech, occupational, and physical therapy. Providers do not need to be traditional Regional Center vendors, giving your family more options.
Applied Behavior Analysis therapy to support communication, social skills, and daily routines. Can be delivered in-home, in the community, or at a clinic.
Adaptive martial arts programs build focus, self-discipline, confidence, and physical fitness. Many instructors in the Inland Empire work with special needs participants and can be funded through SDP when tied to goals in the Person-Centered Plan.
Sports leagues, personal coaching, and AAU teams. One family shared that SDP allowed their son with autism to play on a basketball team and receive one-on-one coaching, helping him live out his passion. Adaptive sports leagues in the Inland Empire serve participants of all ability levels.
Non-medical therapies including art, music, and dance were previously cut from Regional Center services in 2009. The SDP restores access to these programs, which build communication, creativity, emotional regulation, and self-expression.
Sports, hobbies, clubs, fitness classes, and cultural activities. Social recreation can be linked to physical, social, and emotional well-being. These programs teach skills while developing friendships and a sense of community.
ILS training teaches real-world skills like cooking, budgeting, cleaning, personal hygiene, using public transportation, and managing appointments. Rise and Thrive ILS in Rancho Cucamonga is a local example, offering hands-on ILS training in a home environment for SDP and private-pay families.
Temporary relief for family caregivers. A trained respite worker provides care and supervision so families can rest, work, or attend to other responsibilities. This is one of the most widely used services in the SDP.
Health and wellness coaches, fitness programs, gym memberships, and nutrition guidance tied to documented health goals. Exercise equipment for the participant can also be covered when it is tied to specific goals in the spending plan.
Help with daily living activities including bathing, eating, medication management, mobility, and community participation. Providers can be hired directly, and family members in some cases can be compensated for providing these services.
SDP can fund transportation to and from approved services, whether by mileage reimbursement, a hired driver, or an agency. Transportation must be tied to a specific service in your spending plan such as getting to therapy or a sports program.
Safety modifications like grab bars, ramp installations, door alarms for elopement risk, personal emergency response devices, and sensory room adaptations. These are typically one-time purchases and require prior authorization from IRC.
Important: All services must be tied to goals in your Person-Centered Plan (PCP). A swim class, martial arts program, or basketball league becomes fundable when it is documented as supporting a specific goal such as physical health, social connection, self-regulation, or community participation. Your Independent Facilitator can help frame these goals correctly.
These are real programs serving special needs families in Riverside and San Bernardino counties. Many accept SDP clients. Use them as a starting point when building your spending plan.
Rise and Thrive ILS is an Independent Living Skills program based in Rancho Cucamonga that provides hands-on life skills training in a welcoming, home-based environment. Programs cover cooking, cleaning, budgeting, community participation, and personal care. They proudly serve both SDP clients and private-pay families.
Participants receive personalized support tailored to their own goals in a safe and encouraging setting. The mission is to empower individuals with disabilities to thrive in daily life and build real confidence in their independence.
ILS programs are funded through the Regional Center and focus on functional skills training. The goal is to help individuals learn and maintain the skills they need to live more independently, whether in their own home, with family, or eventually on their own.
Skills covered typically include:
ILS is available through your IRC service coordinator. Ask to have it added to your Individual Program Plan (IPP). Under SDP, you can also choose your own ILS provider.
Sports and recreation activities are among the most meaningful things families fund through SDP. These programs support physical health, social development, confidence, and community belonging, all at the same time.
One family from Harbor Regional Center described how SDP allowed their son with autism to join a basketball team and receive one-on-one coaching, helping him pursue his passion alongside his peers. Karate and martial arts programs are also popular because they build self-regulation, discipline, and focus in a structured and supportive environment.
Programs that can be funded include: youth and adult leagues, personal coaching, adaptive swimming, yoga, gymnastics, hiking groups, cycling, and more. The key is documenting the connection to your Person-Centered Plan goals.
Art therapy, music programs, and dance were cut from traditional Regional Center services in 2009 due to state budget cuts. The Self-Determination Program restored access to these programs, and families are using SDP funds to enroll participants in local art classes, music lessons, drama programs, and dance instruction.
These activities build communication, emotional regulation, creativity, and self-expression. They are especially valuable for individuals who communicate better through art or music than through traditional verbal methods.
The setup process takes some time but most families say it is absolutely worth it. Here is exactly what to expect.
If you are not already an IRC client, apply for services first. Call the Intake line for your county. You will need a diagnosis and supporting medical or school records.
Once you are an active IRC client, tell your Service Coordinator you are interested in the Self-Determination Program. They will give you information about next steps.
As of April 2026, all orientations are provided by the State Council on Developmental Disabilities (SCDD) via Zoom in multiple languages. This is mandatory before enrolling.
Hire an IF to help you create your Person-Centered Plan. This is optional but strongly recommended. IRC funds the IF during your transition into SDP.
Your PCP outlines what is important to you, your goals, and the services you need. This plan drives everything else in SDP.
IRC calculates your budget based on the last 12 months of services. Your team can request adjustments if your needs have changed.
Using your PCP and budget, create a detailed spending plan listing each service, provider, and cost. Your IF and Service Coordinator help review it.
Select a Financial Management Services agency to manage your payments. Once your spending plan is approved, services can begin within about 15 days.
Sign up for the mandatory SDP Orientation: Visit scdd.ca.gov/sdp-orientation to register for a session in your preferred language. Orientations are available multiple times per month via Zoom.
Answers to the questions we hear most from parents and caregivers in the Inland Empire.
Use Special Needs Sources to find local businesses and providers in the Inland Empire that are already approved to work with SDP clients. Search by category, tag, or city to find exactly what you need.
Disclaimer: This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or medical advice. Program details, eligibility requirements, and service options may change. Always verify current information directly with your Inland Regional Center Service Coordinator or the California Department of Developmental Services.