Self-Determination Program Implementation Funds

Submission Deadline: Friday, February 7, 2025 by 5 PM
Proposals submitted after the above deadline will not be accepted.

Background Information and Announcement

Self-Determination Local Volunteer Advisory Committees (LVAC) were established by law to provide oversight of the Self-Determination Program (SDP) and make recommendations for improvement to each local regional center and the Department of Developmental Services (DDS). In accordance with Welfare and Institutions Code Section 4685.8(f), Harbor Regional Center (Harbor) has received funds from DDS to support the implementation of the Self-Determination Program, as described in the November 17, 2023 Directive, “Funding to Support Implementation of the Self-Determination Program.”

Guidance from DDS was given regarding the use of these funds, including the required collaboration with the LVAC in determining local priorities for the funding. Welfare and Institutions Code section 4685.8(g) specifies these funds shall be used to maximize the ability of SDP participants to direct their own lives. DDS, in consultation with stakeholders, identified priority areas for the funding including:

• Recruitment and training of independent facilitators, with a focus on increasing the number of bilingual, bicultural independent facilitators;
• Joint training for participants, families, regional centers, LVAC members, and others with a focus on training self-advocates and families from diverse communities that are under-represented in the SDP;
• Support or coaching in making the transition to SDP;
• Assistance with spending plan development; and
• Collaborative groups/workshops to foster ongoing, shared learning and problem-solving opportunities.

Of these areas, the Harbor LVAC has chosen to prioritize recruitment and training of independent facilitators (IFs), with a focus on increasing the number of bilingual, bicultural independent facilitators, specifically in Spanish, Japanese, Korean and American Sign Language (ASL).

Applications that are submitted with incomplete information or proposals that do not meet the basic requirements will be eliminated. This Request for Proposal (RFP) does not commit Harbor to procure or contract for services or supports.

Harbor and LVAC may elect to fund all, part, or none of the project, depending on funding availability as approved by DDS and the quality of the proposals received. Please refer to the project description and requirements, which describe the service concept and possible resource development funding availability.

Funding Available
Base Funding	$47,620.00
Share of Funding of active Individuals that self-identify as non-white**	$50,496.83
Total Available Funding	$98,116.83
*Funds must be expended by March 2026. **The source of this information in the Client Master File, the primary source for case status information of persons who have applied for services funded by the Department, as well as those actively being served for June 2023.

Conflict of Interest

Contractor agrees not to have any conflict of interest. While providing the services hereunder, Contractor shall not be an employee of the State of California, State Council on Developmental Disabilities, Department of Developmental Services, or Harbor Regional Center. Further, if any individual selects Contractor to act as such participant’s Independent Facilitator (as defined in Welfare and Institutions Code Section 4658.8© (2)), this Agreement shall automatically terminate at that time with respect to such participant. At all times Contractor acts as Independent Facilitator for a participant, (i) Contractor shall not otherwise provide services to such participant pursuant to their Individual Program Plan (IPP), and (ii) Contractor shall not be employed by, or otherwise receive compensation of any nature from any person or entity providing services to the participant pursuant their IPP. 

 

Eligible Applicants

Both nonprofit and proprietary organizations are eligible to apply. Employees of Regional Centers are not eligible to apply. Applicants must disclose any potential conflicts of interest per Title 17 Section 54500. The applicant must secure and maintain their own liability insurance at the time of the award of this Request for Proposal. Applicants must be in good standing with Regional Centers.

 

Qualifications and Expectations

Applicants must demonstrate the following:

• Strong understanding of the Self-Determination Program
• Strong understanding of the population served by Harbor and their unique service needs
• Strong understanding of the regional center system and applicable laws
• Person-Centered Planning and Independent Facilitator training. Proof of training/certification is required.
• Strengths in a variety of Person-Centered Plan approaches, active listening, and teamwork skills
• Extensive understanding regarding unmet needs, budget certification and spending plan development
• Understanding of the Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Final Rule and how it applies to the Self-Determination Program
• Ability to recruit and train independent facilitators (IFs), including but not limited to parents, community members, and self-advocates, who will serve the Harbor service area, particularly within those communities that are underserved and underrepresented in the Self-Determination Program
• Ability to train IFs who speak Spanish and will serve Harbor’s Spanish-speaking community
• The ability to train in other languages (Japanese, Korean, and American Sign Language) in addition to Spanish and English is strongly desired and encouraged
• Must regularly attend Harbor’s SDP LVAC meetings to present data demonstrating their program’s progress
• Demonstrate administrative capacity to complete the project and/or implement the service in a timely fashion
• Proven history in the area of project development, including the ability to complete projects, meet project timelines, and manage a project of this size and scope
• Ability and willingness to work in collaboration with other agencies that have been awarded implementation funds by Harbor, if applicable

 

Project Proposal Submission

Please include the following in your application:

*Not to exceed 15 pages

1. Include a cover page listing the name of the project, applicant’s name, business address, email, phone number and date of submission.
2. Describe the applicant’s experience, training, and skills to carry out this particular project, specifically in reference to the recruitment and training of independent facilitators (IFs), with a focus on increasing the number of bilingual, bicultural independent facilitators.
3. Provide a sample training plan that describes what would be included in the curriculum and training modules.
4. Share the qualifications/expectations of those that would be providing trainings in Spanish.
5. Explain how you will determine completion of successful training(s).
6. Provide a statement outlining the applicant’s plan to serve diverse populations, including, but not limited to, culturally and linguistically diverse populations.
7. Provide examples of the applicant’s commitment to addressing the needs of those diverse populations.
8. Include any additional information that the applicant deems relevant to issues of equity and diversity.
9. Include your proposed budget/rate of reimbursement for these grant monies and provide justification.

Submission of Proposals

All proposals must conform to the attached Proposal Writing Guidelines and Content Requirements. The applicant must submit the completed proposal as one electronic copy to rfpsubmissions@harborrc.org.

 

Evaluation and Selection Process

All proposals received by the deadline will be reviewed and scored by the Harbor LVAC and designated representatives of Harbor staff. Proposals will be reviewed for timeliness, completeness, quality, experience, fiscal stability, and reasonableness of proposed costs, ability of applicant to identify and achieve participant outcomes, and the ability of proposed project to respond to the identified needs of Harbor. After preliminary review and scoring, interview may be scheduled at the discretion of the LVAC and Harbor. All applicants will receive notification of the selection decision regarding their proposal.

 

Costs for Proposal Submission

Applicants responding to the RFP shall bear all costs associated with the development and submission of a proposal.

 

Tentative RFP Timeline (subject to change)

12/2/24	Notice of Release of Request for Proposal
2/7/25 by 5:00 PM	Proposal Submissions Due
2/10/25 – 2/21/25	Evaluations of Proposals by Selection Committee
Week of 2/24/2025	Applicant Interviews (if needed, by invitation only)
03/7/25	Notification of selection(s) emailed to applicants

 

Reservation of Rights

The Harbor LVAC and Harbor reserve the right to request or negotiate changes in a proposal, to accept all or part of a proposal, or to reject any or all proposals. The Harbor LVAC and Harbor may, at their sole and absolute discretion, select no provider for these services if, in their determination no applicant is sufficiently responsive to the need. Harbor LVAC and Harbor reserve the right to withdraw this Request for Proposal (RFP) and/or any item within the RFP at any time without notice. Harbor LVAC and Harbor reserve the right to disqualify any proposal which is incomplete or does not comply with the RFP guidelines. This RFP is being offered at the discretion of Harbor LVAC and Harbor. It does not commit the Harbor LVAC and/or Harbor to award any grant. The final selection for this RFP is not subject to appeal. All applicants will receive written email notification of the decision regarding their proposal and an announcement of the applicant awarded the project will be posted on Harbor Regional Center’s website: https://www.harborrc.org/rfps-grant-awards.

 

Award Process

In conjunction with the SDP Local Volunteer Advisory Committee, Harbor will issue an award letter via email to the applicant selected for the provision of these coaching services. The award letter will provide instructions for completing the contracting process, to include a contract, business associate agreement and documentation of appropriate insurance. The applicant selected will be expected to complete and submit all required documentation to complete the contracting process.