Disability Voices United
Latest Updates on the Self-Determination Program

DDS Plans Their First Trainings on the Self-Determination Program

LOCAL TRAININGS ANNOUNCED FOR
SELF-DETERMINATION LOCAL ADVISORY COMMITTEES,
COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS, AND REGIONAL CENTERS

On August 18, the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) announced that it will hold trainings in five cities throughout California on the long-awaited Self-Determination Program. The trainings will be held over two days for different purposes:

DAY 1 - Regional Center Trainings for staff and members of the Self-Determination Local Advisory Committees, who provide oversight of the program. These are full-day trainings that will provide details on the program and its implementation. If you are a member of your Self-Determination Local Advisory Committee, contact your committee chair if you are interested in attending this training.

DAY 2 - "Train-the-trainer" trainings for Community-Based Organizations who are interested in leading Self-Determination Program Informational Meetings to educate self-advocates and family members who want to know more about self-determination. (SEE MORE INFORMATION BELOW FOR INTERESTED COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS.)

FOR DAY 2 OF THE TRAINING: You must RSVP with the names of those attending from your community organization. Because of limited space, DDS has asked that no more than five people from each organization attend.
WHEN AND WHERE ARE THE TRAININGS?

RSVP TO [email protected] with the names of individuals attending. While you may want to attend the training closest to you, you can attend any of the trainings.

Regional Center of the East Bay (San Leandro)
Staff/Local Advisory Committee - Wednesday, September 6 - 9 am - 4 pm
Community Organizations - Thursday, September 7 - 9 am - 12 pm
RSVP by 8/31

South Central Los Angeles Regional Center (LA)
Staff/Local Advisory Committee - Wednesday, September 27 - 9 am - 4 pm
Community Organizations - Thursday, September 28 - 9 am - 12 pm
RSVP by 9/21

Alta Regional Center (Sacramento)
Staff/Local Advisory Committee - Wednesday, October 4 - 9 am - 4 pm
Community Organizations - Thursday, October 5 - 9 am - 12 pm
RSVP by 9/28

San Gabriel/Pomona Regional Center (Pomona)
Staff/Local Advisory Committee - Tuesday, October 10 - 9 am - 4 pm
Community Organizations - Wednesday, October 11 - 9 am - 12 pm
RSVP by 10/4

Central Valley Regional Center (Fresno)
Staff/Local Advisory Committee - Wednesday, October 18 - 9 am - 4 pm
Community Organizations - Thursday, October 19 - 9 am - 12 pm
RSVP by 10/12

HELP SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT THE
SELF-DETERMINATION PROGRAM!

Disability Voices United encourages leaders of community organizations to
sign up for their nearest "Train the Trainer" sessions and help spread
the word about the Self-Determination Program!

Do you lead a local organization that educates or assists individuals and families in the developmental disability community and is your organization interested in educating your community about the Self-Determination Program? If the answers are "YES" then these trainings are for you!

Examples of community-based organizations include:
  • Autism, Down syndrome, intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, epilepsy or other developmental disability specific groups
  • Self-advocate organizations
  • Groups supporting families with disabilities from the Latino, African-American, Asian, or other racial/ethnic/language communities
  • Parent or self-advocate support groups
  • Local parent-led special education groups
  • Disability advocacy organizations
  • Self-Determination Local Advisory Committees
What is the Self-Determination Program?

The Self-Determination Program was created through a unanimously supported law passed almost four years ago. It provides participants, who receive services funded by regional centers, an individual budget that they control to have flexibility and choice over decisions, resources, and needed and desired services and supports to help them meet their goals established in their Individual Program Plans (IPP). In plainer language...

SELF-DETERMINATION MEANS CHOICE AND CONTROL OVER
HOW YOU LIVE YOUR LIFE AND WHO HELPS YOU LIVE IT!

Find out more about the Self-Determination Program through this plain language presentation created by self-advocates and family members of the Westside Regional Center Self-Determination Local Advisory Committee.



WHAT IS DISABILITY VOICES UNITED?
Disability Voices United is a unique statewide advocacy organization directed exclusively by the people who are the most impacted – self-advocates (individuals with developmental disabilities) and their families. 

Recently founded by long-time self-advocate and parent disability rights activists in California who led the successful effort to pass the state’s self-determination law, the organization will advocate for systemic changes that ensure choice and control, meaningful outcomes, equality, opportunity, adequate funding, and respect.   
  Disability Voices United Board Members Appear on PBS to speak about Self-Determination
Recently, board members of Disability Voices United appeared on PBS Studio SoCal to announce the launch of the organization.
Join now and get your first six months of membership FREE! Membership is very affordable for self-advocates and families and fees will be waived for self-advocates and family members when requested.
Please donate to Disability Voices United to support our efforts to fight back against federal budget cuts and advocate for self-determination, accountability in the system, reduction of disparities, and meaningful outcomes.
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530-JOIN-DVU (564-6388) 
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