What is an Independent Facilitator?
An IF, as defined by the Department of Developmental Services (DDS), is a person chosen and directed by a Regional Center client whose primary role is to assist in transitioning to the Self-Determination Program.
The IF assists the client in identifying immediate and long-term needs through Person-Centered Planning (PCP) approaches. This PCP process helps coordinate services to support the client that are consistent with their Individual Program Plan (IPP). The IF may provide support to advocate on behalf of the participant during the development of the IPP utilizing information gleaned from the person-centered planning process.
The IF also supports clients to make decisions regarding their individual budget and assists the client with the creation of a Spending Plan. The Spending Plan is developed to document how the participant will spend their Regional Center individual budget funds on a yearly basis.
IF services offered by Life Leap Services also include an offering of continuing support (if necessary and requested by the client). This support includes help in choosing, and enrolling, with a Financial Management Service (FMS), working with the FMS, and assistance with locating and hiring staff. Life Leap Services also offers support beyond the initial transitionary period into SDP. These supports include creating action plans for future Self-Determination Program goals and providing on-going administrative support for annual SDP and FMS requirements.
Life Leap Services maintains an on-going goal to hold true to the five principles of the Self-Determination Program in all support offerings, which are Freedom, Authority, Support, Responsibility and Confirmation. Secondly, a goal is to value Self-Determination theory in client interaction, which states that there are three psychological needs that humans have: Autonomy, Competence, and Relatedness. Thirdly, Life Leap Services, maintains the goal to use Person-Centered Approaches and Person-Centered Thinking in all client interaction, which honors and values the importance of providing clients with competence, relatedness, and autonomy,
