DVU Brief

LVAC Implementation Funds for Fiscal Year 25/26. Funds must be expended by March 31, 2028.

Directive

February 6, 2026 D-2026-Self Determination Program-001

TO: REGIONAL CENTER EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS

SUBJECT: SELF-DETERMINATION PROGRAM: FISCAL YEAR 2025-26 FUNDING FOR THE SELF-DETERMINATION PROGRAM

Funding was allocated to regional centers for the Self-Determination Program (SDP) for Fiscal Year 2025-26, through the revised B-2 allocation letters sent to regional centers on September 12, 2025. The allocation does not include funding for the Statewide SelfDetermination Advisory Committee. The allocated funding is intended for regional staff and collaborative use as outlined in this directive. This directive provides direction on only the funds allocated for collaborative use between the regional centers and the local volunteer advisory committees (LVACs) to determine local priorities.

As defined in Welfare and Institutions Code section 4685.8(w)(1), LVACs are
established as an advisory committee, and their activities include making recommendations to the regional center and the Department of Developmental Services (Department) for improvement to the Self-Determination Program. The allocated collaborative use funds are to be used to meet the needs of individuals, increase service access and equity, and reduce disparities with enrollment into the SDP.

Regional centers and LVACs must work collaboratively to prioritize the use of available collaborative use funds to meet the needs of individuals in their local area, increase service access and equity, and reduce disparities. Funds allocated for LVACs can be expended only after agreement is reached by both the regional center and the LVAC on the local needs. If the regional center and LVAC cannot reach an agreement, the regional center will make the final decision. Regional centers have the authority to determine if there is an identified conflict of interest, as defined in Attachment A, and cannot use the funds for a proposal that has been determined to have a conflict of interest.

Attachment A provides more information, the amount on funding available for Fiscal Year 2025-26, and the required process to determine the use of this subset of the allocated SDP funds.

Questions from LVACs should be directed to their regional center. Questions from regional centers should be directed to the Department’s Self-Determination Program Branch at sdp@dds.ca.gov.

Sincerely,

Original Signed by:

Yang Lee, Chief of Community Assistance and Empowerment

Attachment

cc: Regional Center Administrators

Regional Center Directors of Consumer Services

Regional Center Community Services Directors

Association of Regional Center Agencies

Link to Directive:

SELF-DETERMINATION PROGRAM: FISCAL YEAR 2025-26 FUNDING FOR THE SELF-DETERMINATION PROGRAM

Attachment A