California families participating in the Self-Determination Program (SDP) may soon hear more about changes to Financial Management Services (FMS). On October 14, 2026, the California Department of Developmental Services (DDS) issued a directive establishing statewide standards for SDP FMS vendors and designating San Diego Regional Center (SDRC) as the sole vendor regional center for these providers.

Although the change focuses on administrative oversight, it matters to participants and families because FMS helps turn an individual budget into the services and supports a person chooses. Understanding who manages financial responsibilities, answers questions and communicates changes can help families navigate the process with greater confidence.

What Is Changing Under the New Directive?

Previously, FMS vendors could be vendored through different regional centers while serving participants across multiple service areas. Under the new structure, SDP FMS vendors must meet consistent statewide standards and be vendored through SDRC.

Existing vendors will not need to submit an entirely new application or restart the vendorization process. Instead, SDRC will review whether each vendor meets the updated requirements and complete the transfer when the necessary standards are satisfied.

The directive also clarifies several responsibilities:

• San Diego Regional Center: Oversees statewide FMS vendor monitoring, audits, quality assurance and enforcement of vendor standards.
• Individual regional centers: Continue handling participant-specific billing activity, payment matters and reimbursement for approved services.
• FMS providers: Help participants manage the financial and administrative responsibilities associated with their individual budgets.

The goal is to create greater consistency in how FMS providers operate while clarifying which organization is responsible for different tasks.

What Do the Statewide Standards Cover?

The new standards address 16 areas of FMS operations, including financial stability, vendor qualifications, customer service, grievances, participant enrollment, individual budgets, spending plans, payments, billing, taxes, workers’ compensation and responsibilities involving participant-employers and support workers.

These requirements provide a useful starting point for families who want to understand how their FMS provider operates.

For example, families may want to know who to contact about a delayed payment, how customer-service concerns are documented, what financial records are available, or how to change FMS providers if their needs change.

Knowing where responsibilities fall can make it easier to direct questions to the right organization and avoid unnecessary confusion.

What Does This Mean for Participants and Families?

According to DDS, the directive does not change participants’ rights under the Self-Determination Program. Participants may change FMS vendors at any time.

The directive also describes steps for addressing vendor noncompliance, including a correction period and written notices to affected participants. If a vendor’s vendorization ends, the participant’s regional center must help identify another available FMS vendor. Participants retain the right to choose their new provider.

Even when protections are in place, transitions can raise practical questions. Families may need to confirm payment status, understand official notices, or coordinate with support workers and service providers.

Keeping an organized FMS folder can help. Consider including:

• The participant’s current individual budget and spending plan
• The FMS agreement and provider contact information
• Recent payment questions and relevant correspondence
• Copies of official notices and transition-related documents

Having these records available can make conversations with the FMS provider or regional center more productive.

Questions Families Can Ask

If you receive a notice about the new standards or a potential change to your FMS provider, consider asking:

• Does this notice require action from the participant, or is it informational?
• Who should I contact about an individual payment issue, vendor compliance, or a spending-plan question?
• Are any support workers or service providers waiting for documentation or payment?
• If a change in FMS provider becomes necessary, what options are available and what is the expected timeline?
• Can information be provided in plain language or another format that helps the participant understand and make decisions?

For questions about an individual situation, contact the participant’s Service Coordinator, regional center, FMS provider, or DDS as appropriate. Official communications are the best source for specific deadlines, requirements and individual rights.

Keeping Self-Determination Person-Centered

Administrative consistency is important, but the purpose of self-determination is to keep the participant’s goals, choices and preferences at the center of planning.

Families, support workers and professionals can help make transitions more accessible by sharing information in advance, explaining unfamiliar terms, checking understanding and allowing the participant time to express preferences. Communication should reflect the person’s needs and preferred ways of participating in decisions.

At home and in the community, consistent routines and clear communication can also help people maintain independence while coordinating different supports.

ComForCare Home Care North San Diego believes in respectful, person-centered support that recognizes each individual’s preferences, abilities and goals. When families are coordinating multiple services, dependable routines and clear handoffs can help reduce confusion and support continuity of care.

For questions about SDP requirements, individual budgets, or FMS vendor changes, families should continue working with the appropriate regional center, Service Coordinator, FMS provider, or DDS.

This article is for general educational purposes only. It is not legal advice and does not determine an individual’s eligibility for services or benefits.

Source: California Department of Developmental Services — D-2026-Self-Determination Program-003: Financial Management Services Vendor Standards

If your family is coordinating support services for a loved one, having clear information and dependable support can make a difference. ComForCare Home Care North San Diego is here to help families navigate day-to-day care with a person-centered approach that respects each individual’s needs, preferences and independence. Learn more about how we can support your family.

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