Self Determination Local Advisory Committee
Local and statewide advisory committees ensure effective implementation of the Self-Determination Program, facilitating the sharing of best practices and training materials. Every Regional Center has a volunteer Self Determination Local Advisory Committee (LAC). Most of whose members are Regional Center consumers and family members. The LAC may also include clients’ rights advocates, disability advocates and community members. The LAC provides input/oversight for the implementation of the SDP in the jurisdiction of its Regional Center, and includes:
- Providing training and training materials regarding the SDP
- Reviewing the Regional Center’s ongoing progress in achieving its SDP goals
- Making recommendations for improvement of the SDP. Monitoring legislation affecting the SDP
- Responding to consumer/family/advocate questions and concerns
- Staying current on the work of the SDP Statewide Advisory Group, whose responsibility is to identify best practices, design effective training materials, and make recommendations for improvements in the SDP Statewide
People interested in the SDP are invited to attend meetings of their Regional Center’s LAC.
The regional center and the State Council on Developmental Disabilities shall each appoint one-half of the membership of the committee. Also, the committee consists of members who hold a variety of roles. For example, it can include the regional center clients’ rights advocate, consumers, family members, and other advocates, and community leaders. It is also not uncommon to include a representative from a family resource center. Reflecting the multicultural diversity and geographic profile of the catchment area, the committee will suggest areas of improvement to the regional center and department, based on their local understanding and experience with their community.
The committee shall review the development and ongoing progress of the Self-Determination Program, including whether the program advances the principles of self-determination and is operating consistent with the of the legislation.
Statewide Self-Determination Advisory Committee
Additionally, the State Council on Developmental Disabilities shall form a volunteer committee, to be known as the Statewide Self-Determination Advisory Committee, comprised of the chairs of the 21 local advisory committees or their designees. The council shall convene the Statewide Self-Determination Advisory Committee at least twice a year.
The Statewide Self-Determination Advisory Committee shall meet accordingly by teleconference or other means established by the council to identify self-determination best practices, effective consumer and family training materials, implementation concerns, systemic issues, ways to enhance the program, and recommendations regarding the most effective method for participants to learn of individuals who are available to provide services and supports. Furthermore, the council shall organize this information and share the with individuals, families, regional centers, and the department, and make recommendations, as appropriate, to increase the program’s effectiveness in furthering the principles of self-determination.
For more information:
Regional Center of the East Bay SDP Local Advisory Committee information
Golden Gate Regional Center SDP Local Advisory Committee information
San Andreas Regional Center SDP Advisory Committee information
To read more about related SDP topics, return to our Resources Page.