1: SDP Background
- Page ID
- 64387
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)How did we get here?
In The Development, Conceptualisation and Implementation of Quality in Disability Support Services by Jan Šiška and Julie Beadle-Brown (2021), the researchers share insights on how and why systems change over time:
As for any individual, group or organisation, social services do not operate in
a vacuum. New systems always compete with existing ones for limited human,
financial and material resources. The pretext for a new arrangement for de-
livering or assessing the quality of disability support services is often the as-
sumption that the existing arrangement does not work well and that the new
one will work better. However, the existing system is likely to be working for
at least some of those within the system and understanding the incentives
and obstacles to change is key to ensuring the resistance can be overcome (p. 137).
There is so much truth in this. For our purposes, the “new system” is the Self Determination Program (SDP). While the "existing system" often referred to as the “traditional” service delivery model was created with California’s Lanterman Act. Some might suggest that SDP is competing with California’s original service delivery model, but there is no reason both models cannot continue to serve the needs of people served by the regional center system in California. While the traditional system works for many people served by the regional center system, there are people served by the regional center system who are not able to meet their needs this way.
For people who have the characteristics that these programs were originally designed for, the traditional system meets many needs. There are also incredible service providers who are truly person-centered and can meet people’s needs creatively within their current structure.
Yet, there are many people whose needs have not been met in the traditional service delivery model. The obstacles to success in the traditional system create problems for many people. Some people served come from cultures that are not yet understood by regional centers or providers. This can go both ways – some people do not yet understand how the regional center system can support their needs.
Some people experience barriers related to language. Others have challenges in navigating transportation options and living in poorly-served areas, and the availability of services to support their disability-related needs.
Others are focused on a social model of disability or a strengths-based approach while the regional centers still largely communicate based on deficit models. This might highlight a barrier in communication, values, and expectations more than the services available.
Over time, these obstacles led to a desire to change the system. And what we have today is the option to enter the fascinating world of the self directed disability support service delivery system. In California, the statewide Self Determination Program is the most recent response to reducing the unmet needs in the traditional system.
At its core, the Self Determination Program is quite simple: meet people’s needs creatively and with flexibility. In practice, there are likely many ways to simplify and improve the Self Determination Program.
The five principles of self determination are freedom, authority, responsibility, support, and confirmation. When looking at self determination in terms of a person having the freedom to live as they choose, the authority to be the expert on their own lives, the responsibility for their decisions and how funds are used, the support to live their chosen life, and the confirmation to make decisions about their lives, we can see how challenging it can be to achieve this.
One important question to think about is: How can people be truly self determined when services and supports may be limited by inflexible systems?
The closest service delivery system that is designed with this flexibility in mind is the ideal implementation of the Self Determination Program. Yet, we know this system still has its obstacles and limitations. Reaching the ideal will take creativity and collaboration.
Bureaucracies of all kinds struggle to change as quickly as the world they exist to serve. The Department of Developmental Services is no different. If the original Supported Living Services (SLS) model had been allowed to continue to be as innovative as it started, it is likely its original design for flexibility and person-centeredness would have continued to meet the needs of many people well.
Budget cycles crash and expand. Views on disability evolve. And over time, the systems built to provide services to those entitled to them are pushed to meet the moment.
As people who care about self direction, keep in mind that there are ways to advocate within any system. Reaching the ideal of the Self Determination Program will take time, work, patience, and collaboration. If we each do a little bit to ensure the program lives up to its potential, we can help make this program exceptional for generations to come… or at least until the next better system is invented.