Frequently Asked Questions

It is a way of receiving regional center services where you control the budget instead of the regional center choosing providers for you. You decide what services you need, who provides them, and how the money is spent, within an individual budget based on what the regional center already spends on you.

Anyone eligible for regional center services in California. There is no age limit and no waiting list — you can enroll at any time.

We help you make informed decisions about your budget, find and coordinate providers, write the person-centered plan, build the spending plan, and attend meetings with you. Think of it as having someone who already knows the system sitting on your side of the table.

No. Using one is completely voluntary, and your regional center service coordinator can perform these functions at no cost to your budget. We would rather you know that up front. Families choose to work with us when they want more time, more attention, and someone whose only job is their plan.

Nothing. The initial person-centered plan and enrollment support are paid by the regional center directly, under established service codes. They are not billed to your family and they are not taken out of your individual budget.

Not for the initial plan or enrollment — those are paid separately by the regional center. If you later choose ongoing facilitation through your spending plan, that portion does come from your individual budget, and we will tell you exactly what it costs before you decide anything.

Usually six to eight weeks from first contact to a finished person-centered plan, depending on how quickly we can get everyone together for the planning meeting. Enrollment and the spending plan follow from there.

You invite the people who matter to you. We ask about strengths, what a good day looks like, what is hard, and what you want your life to look like. You lead it. We listen and write it down. It usually takes two to four hours and it is not a test.

Yes. We work with families who are already enrolled and need help with spending plan revisions, budget adjustments, finding providers, or preparing for an annual review.

We primarily serve families through the San Diego Regional Center. Contact us if you are served by another regional center and we will tell you honestly whether we can help.