Script for requests for regional center purchases/spending plan
How to Increase Your Odds to Get Regional Center to Approve Purchases in the Self-Determination Program
When you’re in the Regional Center Self-Determination Program (SDP), one of the most powerful features is having a budget you can use for supports, services, and sometimes even items that help you meet your Individual Program Plan (IPP) goals.
But here’s the challenge: Regional Center doesn’t approve things just because a participant wants it. And they won’t approve something because they’re merely useful or convenient. Everything has to be tied directly to a disability-related need and to your goals in the IPP. That’s why the wording matters so much.
I learned this firsthand when an SDP participant wanted to ask for an electric razor through his SDP budget in order to address anxiety around shaving and enable him to shave successfully on his own and maintain good grooming habits. I told him that he had to request it himself (to help strengthen self-advocacy skills), but that I would help him know what to do. To help, I created a cheat sheet - a script that walked him through what he needed to say to show exactly how this purchase fit within Regional Center rules. And… the razor was approved.
This post will break down that script for you, explain why each part is necessary, and give you a roadmap for making your own requests.
Why the Script Matters
Think of this script as a formula. If you miss one piece, your request might not make sense to your Service Coordinator or FMS. But if you cover all the bases, you’re giving Regional Center what they need to say “yes.”
The main pieces are:
Naming your disability-related challenge.
Explaining how that challenge affects daily life, health, or independence.
Connecting the solution to your IPP goals.
Showing how the solution helps you be more independent or access your community.
Making it clear that the request is not just “nice to have” but necessary for disability-related needs.
Step-by-Step Script Breakdown
Here’s the script, with explanations for why each part matters.
1. “I have a disability-related challenge.”
This grounds the request. Regional Center cannot fund things unless they are tied to your disability.
2. “It affects my ability to take care of myself / integrate into the community / stay safe / maintain good health / reach my goals.”
This shows the real-world impact of the challenge. It’s not enough to say “I have autism” or “I have anxiety.” You need to explain what it prevents you from doing.
3. “I want to [do activity / meet need] which is part of one of my IPP goals that Regional Center will help me work toward.”
RC only pays for things that connect to IPP goals. By tying the request to the IPP, you’re speaking their language.
4. “I want to do it by myself to be independent (or I need support to do this through a class/with a support worker/etc.).”
Independence is a huge theme in RC services. Whether the request is for independence or for help to become independent, this step highlights why the service/item matters.
5. “This item or activity will help me address my disability-related challenge and be independent / safe / healthy / active in my community.”
This is the closing statement. It ties everything together and makes the case that the request qualifies for Regional Center funding.
When the participant I worked with used this structure, RC approved the electric razor—because it clearly checked all the required boxes.
Important Disclaimer
This strategy doesn’t guarantee approval. Different Regional Centers (and even different Service Coordinators) may interpret rules differently. Sometimes a request that works in one case will be denied in another.
But here’s the truth: if you don’t try, you definitely won’t get it. Using this script gives you the strongest possible case, and it teaches your teen or young adult how to self-advocate in the process.
Final Thoughts
The Self-Determination Program is about choice and control. Learning how to frame requests the right way is part of that. With a little practice, your teen or young adult can learn how to ask for what they need in a way that matches Regional Center’s requirements.
And remember: you’ve got this. You can absolutely do this on your own—but if you ever want extra support in navigating Regional Center, IPP goals, or SDP budgets, I’m here to help as a consultant.