California sets new standards for Self-Determination Program financial managers

On October 14, 2026, California's Department of Developmental Services (DDS) set new standards for the companies that handle money in the Self-Determination Program (SDP). The rules are for those companies and for regional centers. Your role, your budget and your spending plan stay the same.

What's changing

DDS issued directive D-2026-Self-Determination Program-003 on October 14, 2026. It sets standards for Financial Management Services (FMS) vendors. These standards bind FMS vendors and regional centers in the Self-Determination Program.

What the FMS does for you does not change. Your FMS still:

• Helps manage your individual budget and spending plan.
• Does not control your budget or spending plan.
• Pays for the services you choose.

Who it affects (and who it doesn't)

This affects FMS vendors and regional centers that serve Self-Determination Program participants.

It does not change the role of SDP families, or their budgets and spending plans. The directive changes what vendors must do, not the rules for participants.

Key dates

• October 14, 2026: DDS issued the directive.

There is no date for families to act on.

What you can do

1. This directive does not change your rules as a participant, so it does not ask a new step of you.
2. If your FMS vendor or regional center tells you something is changing, ask them to put it in writing. Keep a copy.
3. If you have questions about how this applies to you, ask your regional center service coordinator.
4. You can read the directive on the DDS website.