Thank you for viewing. We are in the process of updating the website. For self-determination program questions, please reach out to your Bay Area regional center. Please come back in the future.
self determination message

Self Determination Ombudsperson

The Office of the Self-Determination Program Ombudsperson runs autonomously under the Department of Developmental Services. Basically, it is an independent office within the Department of Developmental Services (DDS). The Ombudsperson is there to assists Regional Center clients and SDP consumers and their families to participate fully in the Self Determination Program. Overall, the Ombudsperson monitors the implementation of the Self Determination Program (the SDP).

To help assist SDP consumers and Regional Center clients, the Ombudsperson is expected to:

  • Increase the number of people in the SDP
  • Reduce the amount of time it takes to enter SDP
  • Recommend policy changes at Regional Centers and the Department of Developmental Services
  • Provide information to Regional Center clients and their families
  • Helps regional center clients and families understand their rights in the SDP, including the processes to resolve issues or complaints.
  • If requested, the Office can assist with the resolution process by connecting regional centers, financial management services (FMS) agencies, and/or independent facilitators. In some cases, the Office also may connect individuals and families with other internal or external partners who can provide further support. But, the office cannot decide disputes in favor of one party or another, represent someone in the appeal process, overturn a fair hearing decision or make a recommendation to a court, as restated in the below section.
  • Facilitate solutions to disagreements
  • Investigate complaints regarding implementation of the program
  • Recommend strategies for change to the Department of Developmental Services and the State Legislature, and
  • Comply and report data to the State Legislature.

The Self Determination Ombudsperson CANNOT:

  • Decide disputes in favor of one party or another
  • Represent someone in the appeal process
  • Overturn a fair hearing decision or make a recommendation to a court.

The Office opened in October 2021, soon after it was established in law (Welfare & Institutions Code section 4685.9) in July 2021. Ombudsperson information brochures (PDFs) are also readily available in Spanish, Chinese, Arabic, and a multitude of other languages at the link listed below at the Department of Developmental Services – Office of the Self Determination Program Ombudsperson Page.

For more information and to contact the Office of the Ombudsperson, see:

https://www.dds.ca.gov/initiatives/sdp/office-of-the-self-determination-ombudsperson/
Or, Email to: SDP.Ombudsperson@DDS.CA.GOV. Call 1-877-658-9731

To learn more about related SDP topics, please return to our Resources Page.