3: Independent Facilitator Basics
- Page ID
- 51745
\( \newcommand{\vecs}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \)
\( \newcommand{\vecd}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash {#1}}} \)
\( \newcommand{\dsum}{\displaystyle\sum\limits} \)
\( \newcommand{\dint}{\displaystyle\int\limits} \)
\( \newcommand{\dlim}{\displaystyle\lim\limits} \)
\( \newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)
( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\)
\( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\)
\( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\)
\( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\)
\( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)
\( \newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\)
\( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)
\( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\)
\( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\)
\( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\)
\( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\)
\( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\)
\( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\)
\( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\)
\( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\AA}{\unicode[.8,0]{x212B}}\)
\( \newcommand{\vectorA}[1]{\vec{#1}} % arrow\)
\( \newcommand{\vectorAt}[1]{\vec{\text{#1}}} % arrow\)
\( \newcommand{\vectorB}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \)
\( \newcommand{\vectorC}[1]{\textbf{#1}} \)
\( \newcommand{\vectorD}[1]{\overrightarrow{#1}} \)
\( \newcommand{\vectorDt}[1]{\overrightarrow{\text{#1}}} \)
\( \newcommand{\vectE}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash{\mathbf {#1}}}} \)
\( \newcommand{\vecs}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \)
\(\newcommand{\longvect}{\overrightarrow}\)
\( \newcommand{\vecd}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash {#1}}} \)
\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)What we will learn
- What independent facilitators do
- Who can be an independent facilitator
- Requirements to be a paid independent facilitator
- Regional Center basic information
What is an Independent Facilitator?
According to the Department of Developmental Services website, participants in the Self-Determination Program (SDP) may choose someone who helps them implement their program. That person is called an independent facilitator.
Independent facilitators assist the SDP participant and their supporters in understanding the Self Determination Program, developing a spending plan based on the goals from the PCP and IPP, and managing changes and needs within the parameters of the SDP.
All services and supports within the spending plan need to be connected to the participant’s IPP goals, disability-related needs, and applicable SDP requirements.
Independent facilitators support person-centered flexibility and creativity in the Self-Determination Program. And because the SDP community has a deep desire to protect this important service delivery model, there is active advocacy to improve implementation.
Independent facilitators do not intentionally avoid, bypass, or misrepresent laws, regulations, or program requirements to include a service or item on a spending plan. The California laws and regulations from the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) must be followed by all parties connected to the Self Determination Program. Rather, IFs strive to improve the quality of life for people served by the regional center through this innovative program.
The roles and requirements for paid independent facilitators in the SDP are in the text from the DDS directive released in December 2018 about independent facilitators, their roles, and their responsibilities.
DDS Directive Language
Roles of an Independent Facilitator
Independent facilitators, as defined in Welfare & Institutions (W&I) Code §4685.8(c)(2), are people who are selected and directed by the participant and who are able to provide assistance in the following ways:
- Assisting the individual with making informed decisions regarding their individual budget;
- Locating, accessing and coordinating services and supports consistent with the participant’s Individual Program Plan (IPP);
- Identifying immediate and long-term needs and developing options to meet those needs;
- Leading, participating, and/or advocating on behalf of participants in the person-centered planning process and development of the IPP; and,
- Obtaining identified services and supports.
Requirements of Paid Independent Facilitator(s)
An individual who serves as an independent facilitator is required to receive training, at their own cost, in:
- The principles of self-determination;
- The person-centered planning process; and,
- The other responsibilities described above under “Roles of an Independent Facilitator”
Participants and their financial management service providers will verify that the prospective independent facilitator has met the training requirements, outlined above.
The following individuals may not act as paid independent facilitators:
- A person who is providing other services to the participant pursuant to his or her IPP;
- A person employed by a person/agency providing services to the participant;
- The parent of a minor participant; or,
- The spouse of a participant.
By the nature of the job, an independent facilitator must be free of conflicts of interest.
Why Person-Centered Practices Matter
It might seem like person-centered practices keep coming up in this text. And hopefully, you see how all of the support provided by an independent facilitator must happen in a truly person-centered way. Person-centered planning is about the individual’s future and reaching their goals. The process should be driven by the individual and reflect what is important to and for that person.
Person-centered planning can include other people, such as family or friends, only if the individual chooses to include them in the process. Once the individual has made choices about what they want and need, an individual program plan (IPP) is written based on the individual’s decisions. The IPP lays out the individual’s goals and what is needed to reach those goals, including necessary services and supports.
Without the SDP participant, there is no self-direction. Being self-determined is the core of this program. That means that the independent facilitator's role is to ensure the voice of the individual served is the focus of everything connected to the SDP planning process.
To be clear, individuals served by the regional center are in charge of their lives, plans, and desires — not their family nor the people who work for them.
This means the voice of the individual served by the regional center is heard and accurately reflected in all SDP planning. The person at the center of the program is the boss. They are the authority on their own lives, and as an independent facilitator, it is an honor and a privilege to support them in the ways they see fit.
This does not mean that family members are not a part of the circle of support, if the SDP participant chooses to include them. An SDP participant can include any person willing to provide support and input on their planning.
In conversations with service coordinators, the participant and their circle of support will explain situations and allow the service coordinator to make suggestions of possible services in the traditional system.
Here are some common traditional system services:
- Independent living skills/supported living skills (depending on where the adult lives)
- Respite
- Parent Education
- Adaptive Skills Training
- Day Programs (adulthood only)
- Social Skills Training
- Social/Recreational Services
- Not all regional centers provide all services. Developing expertise about one regional center at a time. Learn which services are common and easy to understand. If
There are many more listed on the Regional Centers Services and Descriptions page of the DDS website.
Person-centered, not neighbor-centered, friend-centered, or parent-centered
Because we strive to ensure person-centered practices are embraced, independent facilitators know that not all participants will have the same services that their friends have. One area of constant struggle in this program is the focus on what others have.
For example, a family served by an IF wants to increase their budget. The parent of a person served by a regional center tells their IF, “My friend’s son got ______________” from her regional center. I want my son to have the same thing.”
When confronted with a “keeping up with the Joneses” request, there are important things to keep in mind:
- Person-centered plans show the goals and provide ideas and possibilities to meet those goals.
- No two people served by the regional center system have identical needs. If the system is to truly be person-centered, it is reasonable that two different people served receive different supports.
As a professional in this field, help people served understand the beauty of this program. Choice, freedom, and authority are all key principles of self determination. However, responsibility and support are equally important. We are stewards of an amazing, tax-payer funded program. Quite frankly, ours may be the most innovative and amazing program in the nation. For it to be sustainable, we must all work together to use these funds wisely. Keeping up with the Joneses is not our mantra. Getting more “stuff” is not our mantra.
Our SDP Mantra:
When my needs are met, I am content.
If my needs are not met, then the program is not working, yet.
To ensure the needs are met, it is vital to document them in the Individual Program Plan (IPP). Once needs are documented in the IPP within the traditional system, the budget creation process becomes much easier.
Building bridges between participants and regional centers
One of the regional center’s jobs is to ask questions about needs, circumstances and possible resources when a participant or an independent facilitator shares a participant’s needs that are new to the regional center. Ideally, the regional center service coordinator is already highly skilled at talking with families about disability, explaining kinds of services regional centers provide, and finding services to support individuals served by regional centers.
However, sometimes the participant and their circle of support have no idea what a regional center can or should be providing. At times, the regional center uses specific language, or jargon, focused on the disability-connected supports and services. This creates a wide gap in understanding between the regional center and those they serve.
Independent facilitators have the opportunity to bridge that knowledge gap and help people navigate California’s unnecessarily complicated service-delivery system.
Deeper thinking about the IF role as a bridge
Think about the image and words below: the participant is on one side of the bridge, while the regional center service coordinator is on the opposite side. The person trying to help connect these two sides is the independent facilitator.
- What happens when a bridge is damaged or has a shaky foundation?
- What happens to an SDP participant when the IF’s knowledge base is shaky?
- How does active listening improve effectiveness as a communication bridge?
The independent facilitator’s role as a communication bridge includes respectful, culturally competent interactions with all parties. One of the most common challenges mentioned about independent facilitators is aggressive advocacy. Often perceived as unprofessional and bullying behavior, these occasionally challenging colleagues can strain relationships with regional centers and financial management services.
Starting each interaction with strategic and authentic kindness can help improve communication and IF effectiveness, better serving clients and improving relations with other professionals in the process. This also builds good faith among all parties which can help others trying to use the Self Determination Program to meet their needs, too.
Kindness spreads like a ripple in still water. Thank you to The Grateful Dead for that.