July 27, 2022
DVU Brief:
Regional centers paying for FMS fees
Directive
DATE: JULY 27, 2022
TO: REGIONAL CENTER EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS
SUBJECT: SELF-DETERMINATION PROGRAM (SDP): REGIONAL CENTER PAYMENT OF FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT SERVICES FOR SDP PARTICIPANTS
Developmental Services Trailer Bill SB 188 (Chapter 49, Statutes of 2022) amended Welfare and Institutions Code section 4685.8(c)(1), removing the requirement that the cost of financial management services (FMS) be paid by the participant out of the participant’s individual budget. This statutory change, effective July 1, 2022, supersedes the Department’s COVID-19 Directive 01-111920, which waived the requirement that SDP participants pay for the cost of their FMS provider during the State of Emergency. Effective July 1, 2022, the cost of the FMS provider will be paid by the regional center outside of the participant’s individual budget.
In implementing this change, regional centers should do the following:
- Authorize the cost of the FMS provider separate from the individual budget and spending plan.
- Work with SDP participants to timely explore needed adjustments to their spending plan to reflect where the repurposed FMS fees may be used.
Consumers, family members, or providers should contact their local regional center with questions regarding this program directive.
Sincerely,
Original signed by:
MARICRIS ACON
Deputy Director
Federal Programs Division
cc: Regional Center Administrators
Regional Center Directors of Consumer Services
Regional Center Community Services Directors
Association of Regional Center Agencies
State Council on Developmental Disabilities
Nancy Bargmann, DDS
Brian Winfield, DDS
Carla Castañeda, DDS
Jim Knight, DDS
Ernie Cruz, DDS
Aaron Christian, DDS
Tim Travis, DDS
Link to Directive
Self-Determination Program: Regional Center Payment of Financial Management Services for SDP Participants (English)
Self-Determination Program: Regional Center Payment of Financial Management Services for SDP Participants (Spanish)
Self-Determination Program: Regional Center Payment of Financial Management Services for SDP Participants (Korean)