Services
Independent Facilitator (IF) plays a key role in supporting individuals enrolled in California's Self-Determination Program (SDP) within the Regional Center system. Their primary responsibility is to assist individuals and families in navigating the program, including developing a Person-Centered Plan (PCP), identifying services, and creating a Spending Plan that works within their budget. The Independent Facilitator works alongside the Regional Center, the Financial Management Services (FMS) provider, and the individual’s support team to ensure the individual’s goals are met.
Person-Centered Plan (PCP) within the context of the California Regional Center system is a key tool designed to help individuals with developmental disabilities define their life goals, identify their strengths and needs, and create a roadmap for achieving a fulfilling life based on their personal preferences. This process is foundational in programs like the Self-Determination Program (SDP), where individuals have more control over the services and supports they receive. At Path to Possibilities we are certified in Person Centered Thinking.
We provide behavior consultation services designed to support individuals with developmental disabilities in achieving meaningful progress in their daily lives. Our services are rooted in evidence-based Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) principles and tailed to meet the unique needs of each individual and their circle of supports.
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Currently, direct-services will be provided within Mendocino County, CA. Services will be provided directly by the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA).
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For more details please visit the Behavior Services section of our website.
Paving Your Path to Possibilities with Individualized Behavioral Services
At Path to Possibilities, we embrace a person-centered, values-based treatment approach that places individuals and their families at the center of every decision. Rooted in compassion, collaboration, and evidence-based practices, our mission is to empower individuals to achieve their full potential while fostering meaningful relationships and environments that support growth to a full and meaningful life. We aim to inspire hope, foster resilience, and unlock possibilities for individuals, families, and communities across Mendocino County, California and beyond.
Our Vision
We believe that every person, regardless of their challenges, has unique strengths and abilities that can be nurtured to create a path to endless possibilities. By prioritizing individual values, cultural backgrounds, and personal goals, we collaboratively create individualized plans that incorporate a Person-Centered Thinking approach to inspire hope, dignity, and meaningful change.
Self Determination Program | Independent Facilitation
California Self-Determination Program (SDP)
The California Self-Determination Program (SDP) is a person-centered alternative to traditional Regional Center services, empowering individuals with developmental disabilities and their families to take control of their own services and supports. This program provides participants with a personalized budget to purchase services that meet their unique needs, offering greater flexibility, choice, and independence. SDP is rooted in the principles of freedom, authority, support, responsibility, and confirmation, ensuring that each person has the ability to design a life that reflects their goals, values, and aspirations.
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Through SDP, participants work with an Independent Facilitator and a Financial Management Service (FMS) to develop and manage their individualized plan. This approach allows for more creative and tailored services beyond those available through traditional Regional Center funding.
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Person-Centered Planning in the California Self-Determination Program
The Person-Centered Planning (PCP) process is the foundation of the California Self-Determination Program (SDP), ensuring that individuals with developmental disabilities have a voice in designing a life that aligns with their goals, preferences, and values. This process shifts the focus from a system-driven approach to an individual-driven one, emphasizing choice, control, and meaningful community inclusion.
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What is Person-Centered Planning?
Person-Centered Planning is a collaborative and strengths-based process that:
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Identifies an individual’s goals, strengths, and preferences in all aspects of life, including education, employment, relationships, housing, and community engagement.
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Engages a circle of support, which may include family, friends, advocates, and service providers, to help develop a vision for a fulfilling and self-directed life.
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Creates a roadmap for success, outlining the supports, services, and resources needed to achieve the individual's goals.
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The Role of Person-Centered Planning in SDP
As part of the Self-Determination Program, Person-Centered Planning helps participants:
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Develop a Personalized Budget – The plan informs the Regional Center about the participant’s support needs, guiding the development of an individualized budget based on past services and future goals.
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Identify & Secure Services – Participants can explore both traditional and non-traditional services that best meet their needs, beyond what is offered through the Regional Center’s standard service system.
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Promote Independence & Self-Advocacy – The process empowers individuals to make informed choices, take responsibility for their services, and lead a life that reflects their vision.
How We Support Person-Centered Planning
Our team is dedicated to facilitating comprehensive, personalized planning sessions that help individuals and families navigate the Self-Determination Program with confidence. We provide:
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Guided planning sessions to help individuals define their vision and identify key supports.
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Collaboration with families, advocates, and service providers to ensure a well-rounded and inclusive plan.
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Detailed documentation of the plan to help participants communicate their needs effectively with their Regional Center and service providers.
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Ongoing support and revisions to ensure the plan evolves as the individual's needs and goals change.
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At our core, we believe that every individual deserves the right to shape their future, and we are committed to ensuring that the Person-Centered Planning process is meaningful, empowering, and effective.
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Independent Facilitation (IF) Services
An Independent Facilitator (IF) is a key support in the Self-Determination Program, guiding individuals and families through the process of creating and implementing a Person-Centered Plan that aligns with their vision for a fulfilling life. As your trusted Independent Facilitator, we provide:
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Person-Centered Planning – Helping individuals define their goals, strengths, and support needs to develop a meaningful life plan.
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Budget Development & Support – Assisting in the allocation of the individual's SDP budget to maximize available services and resources.
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Service Provider & Resource Connection – Helping identify and connect with service providers that align with the individual's needs and preferences.
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Ongoing Advocacy & Guidance – Ensuring that individuals and families have the information and support needed to navigate the SDP successfully.
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Regional Center Coordination – Supporting participants in working with their Regional Center to ensure a smooth transition into the program.
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Our goal is to empower individuals with developmental disabilities and their families by offering expert guidance, advocacy, and resources to make self-determination a reality. We are committed to promoting independence, choice, and meaningful community inclusion for all those we serve.
Contact us today to learn how we can support your journey in the California Self-Determination Program!
"Filling a Critical Gap in the Developmental Disability Community"
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For families of individuals with developmental disabilities, one of the greatest concerns is ensuring that their loved ones will continue to receive the care, support, and advocacy they need when parents or guardians are no longer able to provide it. Many parents spend years building a strong support network, coordinating services, and managing legal and financial matters. However, without a well-defined plan and a trusted advocate in place, these efforts can become fragmented, leaving the individual vulnerable and at risk of losing the quality of life they deserve.
Path to Possibilities Legacy Care exists to prevent this uncertainty by serving as the bridge between a family’s vision for their loved one’s future and the systems that provide essential services. We ensure that an individual’s quality of life remains intact, even through life’s transitions. By taking a proactive approach, families can secure peace of mind, knowing their loved one will always have an advocate ensuring their best interests are upheld.
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Many families express deep concern over what will happen to their child or dependent adult when they are no longer able to provide direct care, advocacy, or oversight. While some individuals may have extended family members willing to step in, not every family has this option, and even those who do may find that extended family members lack the knowledge, experience, or capacity to provide the necessary level of support.
Without a dedicated advocate, individuals with developmental disabilities may experience disruptions in services, changes in living arrangements that do not align with their personal preferences, or financial mismanagement. Families need a structured, legally sound plan that prioritizes the individual’s well-being, autonomy, and long-term care.
Path to Possibilities Legacy Care is designed to ensure that individuals continue to receive the care, advocacy, and service coordination they need, in alignment with the wishes of their families. We provide legally backed decision-making and case management services that help maintain stability, respect personal preferences, and safeguard long-term quality of life.
Unlike traditional caregiving models, we do not provide direct housing or employ staff for direct support. Instead, we act as a trusted decision-maker, case manager, and advocate, ensuring that the right supports are in place at all times. Our work is based on a person-centered approach that prioritizes the individual’s dignity, autonomy, and personal choices while honoring the values and preferences outlined by their families.
Path to Possibilities Legacy Care is a comprehensive service designed to provide continuity of care, legal decision-making, and case management for individuals with developmental disabilities when their parents or guardians are no longer able to provide support.
Our company does not provide direct housing or staffing but ensures that the individual’s needs, as outlined by their parents, continue to be met through legal decision-making, financial oversight, and service coordination.
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The Need for Continuity of Care: Many parents worry about what will happen to their child when they are no longer able to provide support.
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How Path to Possibilities Fills This Gap: Offering structured, legally sound, and person-centered continuity planning.
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The Emotional and Practical Impact: Providing families peace of mind knowing their loved one’s care and quality of life will be safeguarded.