SDP-HCBS Assessments

The Self-Determination Program (SDP) is designed so that SDP Participants are included in their community. The services and supports they choose in the SDP must allow them to live, work and play in places where they have choices in how they spend their time and who they spend their time with. 

These are also things required by the federal government through the Home & Community-Based Services (or HCBS) Final Rule. 

By March 2023, all regional center vendored services will meet these requirements. The state, regional centers and vendors are working on this transition already and will complete assessments and on-site visits to show that all services meet the requirements by March 2023.  

If an SDP Participant chooses to use their SDP individual budget to pay for a service in a place that is intended mostly for people with disabilities and/or they receive a service with a group of other people with disabilities, that setting (or place where they receive those services) must be assessed to make sure it is in compliance with the HCBS Final Rule before they can start their service there.

Most of the services they choose in the SDP will not have to have this assessment because they will not be grouped with other people with a disability. However, if they choose a service described above, the SDP Participant, their Service Coordinator, an ELARC Community Services Specialist, and the selected service provider will follow the process outlined below to make sure the setting is in compliance. 

Assessment Tools: 

• SDP HCBS Compliance FlowChart
• The HCBS Final Rule Federal Requirements
• DDS HCBS Provider Self-Assessment (FILLABLE)
• HCBS-SDP Site Assessment
• HCBS Site Assessment Guide