Over 1 million website views since 1996 – Resources for Supporting Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
There are many successful approaches to person-centered planning, Essential Lifestyle Planning (ELP) is one of them. It focuses on how a person wants to live each day. It is the foundation for most of the widely used person-centered thinking tools listed later in this article. Download complete article here.
A new federal rule gives people who get regional center services through California’s home- and community-based services (HCBS) system a formal way to complain if their plan or their services aren’t truly person-centered. It’s a real expansion of rights — but as of this writing, California is still finishing the details of how it will … Read more
Supported Decision-Making (SDM) has gone from a promising idea to something written directly into California law, and it’s now spreading state by state and gaining attention in Congress. This update summarizes what’s changed, how SDM compares to conservatorship, and where to find current California-specific tools. Download that article here.
California is writing, for the first time, a statewide definition of what counts as a “cost-effective” service for people with developmental disabilities. If you’re in the Self-Determination Program (SDP), the exact wording could affect how much you’re allowed to pay your providers. Download the complete article here.
A compilation of studies from the past two years. The common thread seems to be that while the use of person-centered planning is well established, real choice-making still lags theory in everyday practice. Download here.
California released its Master Plan for Developmental Services — 167 recommendations for improving life for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) — on March 28, 2025. Here’s a summary of the first annual report. Download here
For the past six months, we have provided Claude AI with access to resources regarding the California Developmental Services System. We recently asked it to write up as summary about the current state, strengths, challenges and needs. Download that unedited summary. What are your thoughts? — July 2026
California is changing how regional centers, IHSS, and Medi-Cal work together. This article explains three changes. Regional centers now check other funding sources first. They also share more data with IHSS and Medi-Cal. And a new statewide respite tool is rolling out through 2026. The article offers tips to prepare for your next IPP meeting. … Read more
There are many dimensions which shape a life of quality for members of any community. When considering how to support people with developmental disabilities in living a life of quality we need to think about those elements which add quality to our own lives. For example, a local family doctor frequently gives lectures about how … Read more
by Michael W. Smull While listening to a gathering of job coaches in Wisconsin I began to think of all of the things that people with disabilities have taught me about what they want their job coach to know and what they want their job coach to do. Some of what follows I learned from … Read more