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For individuals, families, and service coordinators People with IDD have the right to take reasonable risks. This principle was first named in 1972 by Robert Perske. Perske argued that overprotection has a cost. It can limit growth, self-esteem, and block the chance to learn from experience. Several practical approaches are outlined here.

Two critical transitions for all of us are first, the transition from preschool to school. Second, the transition from high school to adult life. They are equally critical for individuals with intellectual and developmental. This article is about how California regional centers can effectively support those transitions. Download that article here.

In “the wild,” a person-centered planning gathering can be a celebration. A celebration of someone’s life and a look ahead to a life focused on an individual’s unique gifts, talents, strengths, needs and personal preferences. This article looks at the challenges of applying person-centered planning practices in a structured planning environment, with a closer look … Read more

Every state that participates in the National Core Indicators – Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities program (NCI-IDD) collects a standardized set of survey results – and in most of those states, that data sits in public reports and dashboards that go largely unread. That’s a missed opportunity. Download the article here.

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