Frequently Asked Questions

An FMS provider helps Self-Determination Program participants manage their individual budget, pay for services and supports, process payroll for hired workers, and ensure compliance with California financial and employment laws. Every SDP participant is required by California law to use an FMS provider to access their individual budget funds.

Yes. AbleRoot is vendored with San Diego Regional Center (SDRC) and serves participants throughout San Diego and Imperial Counties. We support all three FMS service codes: 315 (Bill Payer), 316 (Co-Employer), and 317 (Sole Employer).

No. AbleRoot has no waitlist. Enrollment begins immediately after your free consultation. Our digital systems were built specifically to scale, which means we can welcome new participants without creating barriers to access. You can start the enrollment process today.

Yes. As a participant in the Self-Determination Program, you can choose the Financial Management Services (FMS) provider that best meets your needs. If you would like to transfer to AbleRoot, simply let your Service Coordinator know that you would like to make the change and begin coordinating the transition. Once we receive the required authorization from your Regional Center, we will partner with you throughout the transfer and enrollment process. Our team is committed to making the transition as smooth and seamless as possible, with minimal disruption to your services and supports whenever possible.

To enroll in the Self-Determination Program (SDP), you should first contact your Regional Center Service Coordinator and express your interest in participating. The enrollment process generally includes completing an SDP orientation, developing a person-centered plan, establishing an individual budget, and creating a spending plan. Once these steps have been completed and approved, you can begin receiving services through SDP. There are many helpful resources available to learn more about SDP and the enrollment process. For example, individuals served by the San Diego Regional Center may find the SDRC Self-Determination Program webpage a helpful place to start.

AbleRoot is vendored with the San Diego Regional Center and currently serves participants in San Diego County and Imperial County. We are planning to expand our services to additional regional centers throughout California in the future. Please contact us to learn about current availability and future service areas.

Yes. Participants in the Self-Determination Program (SDP) are required to select a Financial Management Services (FMS) provider before they can begin using their individual budget. The FMS supports important administrative functions such as payroll processing, tax reporting, vendor payments, and budget-related financial management. An FMS provider is a required part of the SDP and helps ensure services and expenditures are processed in accordance with program requirements.

These are the three FMS models available in California's Self-Determination Program. Bill Payer (Service Code 315) is the simplest model: AbleRoot pays vendors and workers on your behalf. Co-Employer (Service Code 316) means AbleRoot shares employer responsibilities with you, handling payroll taxes, workers' compensation, and HR compliance. Sole Employer (Service Code 317) gives you full employer status: you hire, manage, and direct your workers, while AbleRoot manages the financial backend. Most families start with Bill Payer or Co-Employer.

FMS provider fees are set by the California Department of Developmental Services (DDS) and are included as part of the participant's Self-Determination Program budget. These services are not paid for directly by participants.

A spending plan is a detailed budget that outlines how you intend to use your individual budget funds. It includes the services, supports, and goods you need, along with providers, rates, and service frequency. You can develop your spending plan with the help of an Independent Facilitator or on your own. Once it is approved, your FMS provider, such as AbleRoot, helps carry it out by processing payments according to the plan.

We support families in multiple languages, including English, Tagalog, Spanish, Vietnamese, Arabic, Farsi, and Chinese (Mandarin), in alignment with commonly supported languages in the San Diego Regional Center community. At AbleRoot, we believe language should never be a barrier to participation in the California Self-Determination Program. Our team is committed to providing accessible communication and support every step of the way.

Enrollment with AbleRoot begins after your initial consultation and submission of required information, including completion of required documents and Live Scan fingerprinting. There is currently no waitlist. The overall timeline varies depending on regional center authorization and the completion of required documentation. The process can move more quickly in partnership with you when required information and approvals are provided promptly, including timely responses from service providers and other involved parties. Our streamlined onboarding process helps keep everything organized and moving efficiently once all required materials are received.