California Self-Determination Program

Communication support built for real life.

Virtual, speech-language pathologist-led caregiver coaching and individualized communication support for toddlers through teens. Services are designed around the participant's communication needs, preferences, routines, IPP goals, and opportunities for greater autonomy and participation at home and in the community.

Danielle Carpenter, M.A., CCC-SLP
Danielle Carpenter, M.A., CCC-SLP
California Speech-Language Pathology License #19173
Why The Connected Communicator™ exists

The most important communication moments happen between therapy sessions.

Communication, connection, and confidence are built during real-life routines — at breakfast, during transitions, in the car, at bedtime, during play, and out in the community. The Connected Communicator™ was created to bridge the gap between therapy and everyday life so caregivers have individualized guidance for the moments that happen after the therapy session ends.

Your child may receive one hour of therapy. Caregivers support communication throughout the other 167 hours of the week.
15+ YearsClinical Experience
29,000+ HoursClinical Speech-Therapy Sessions
1,000+Families Supported
What services look like

Individualized caregiver coaching, not a one-size-fits-all program.

Each participant's service plan is developed around current communication abilities, preferred communication methods, strengths, interests, family priorities, meaningful routines, and authorized SDP goals.

Functional communication

Support for communicating wants, needs, choices, preferences, refusals, emotions, ideas, help, and breaks.

Caregiver coaching

Live virtual coaching, modeling, feedback, and practical strategies caregivers can use throughout everyday routines.

Individualized supports

Participant-specific plans, visual supports, communication strategies, AAC considerations, resources, and implementation guidance.

Real-life routines

Communication support for play, meals, transitions, self-care, family activities, school-related routines, and community outings.

Autonomy & self-advocacy

Strategies are intended to expand the participant's ability to initiate, make choices, communicate preferences, and participate meaningfully.

Team collaboration

When authorized and appropriate, services may include collaboration with the participant's support team, FMS, Regional Center, educators, or other providers.

Danielle Carpenter, M.A., CCC-SLP
Meet Danielle

Clinical expertise translated into everyday support.

Hi, I'm Danielle Carpenter, M.A., CCC-SLP.

After more than 15 years as a speech-language pathologist, I kept seeing the same gap: children were receiving skilled support during therapy, while parents and caregivers were often left wondering what to do during the hundreds of everyday moments between sessions.

I created The Connected Communicator™ to provide what was missing — individualized caregiver coaching that helps families understand how their child communicates, identify meaningful next steps, and confidently support communication during real-life routines.

Rather than giving families a list of generic strategies, I look at the individual participant — their strengths, communication style, preferences, routines, and goals — and coach caregivers through practical ways to support communication, autonomy, self-advocacy, and meaningful participation at home and in the community.

California Speech-Language Pathology License #19173

Book a Free SDP Consultation

This is not a course. This is hands-on support.

Services are designed to complement — not duplicate — clinical or school-based services by focusing on caregiver implementation and real-life application of individualized communication strategies.

Typical service framework
$200/hour

Standard professional rate for authorized individualized services.

Commonly planned as an initial four-month service period.

Depending on the participant's goals, needs, and authorized spending plan, services may average approximately 10–15 hours per month.

4 monthstypical initial duration
$2,000–$3,000estimated monthly range
$8,000–$12,000estimated 4-month range

The four-month / 10–15 hour framework is illustrative, not a mandatory package. Actual service frequency, duration, activities, units, and total cost are individualized and must be consistent with the participant's authorized spending plan, FMS arrangement, Regional Center requirements, and service agreement.

How time may be used

A sample monthly service allocation

Authorized hours may be distributed across participant-specific activities depending on need.

1

Live coaching

Virtual caregiver coaching, modeling, strategy practice, and problem-solving.

2

Planning & resources

Individualized communication plans, visual supports, resource development, and strategy updates.

3

Between-session support

Participant-specific video review, caregiver feedback, and implementation guidance when authorized.

4

Documentation & coordination

Progress reporting, service documentation, and authorized care coordination or team collaboration.

HCBS-aligned service delivery

Built around choice, dignity, autonomy, and participation.

The Connected Communicator™ LLC is committed to delivering services in a manner consistent with applicable Home and Community-Based Services requirements and the person-centered principles of California's Self-Determination Program.

Person-centered
Services reflect the participant's needs, preferences, strengths, interests, routines, and goals.
Choice & control
Participants and families retain meaningful choice regarding providers, services, and communication priorities.
Autonomy & self-advocacy
Communication support may include choices, refusals, requests, preferences, emotions, and requests for help or breaks.
Community inclusion
Strategies support participation across home, family, social, educational, recreational, and community routines.
Dignity, privacy & respect
Services respect participant communication, confidentiality, dignity, and individual differences.
Communication access
Speech, gestures, signs, visual supports, AAC, body language, and other individualized communication methods may be supported.
Who we serve

Toddlers through teens with communication support needs.

Services are virtual and designed to support caregivers in helping communication generalize beyond a single therapy session and into the participant's everyday life.

Provider Information

The Connected Communicator™ LLC

Danielle Carpenter, M.A., CCC-SLP
CA SLP License #19173

Email: [email protected]
Phone: 951-333-0892

Business address and tax information are provided through required onboarding documents and secure FMS processes.

Want to discuss an SDP participant's communication needs?

Contact The Connected Communicator™ to discuss fit, anticipated service needs, and FMS/Regional Center onboarding.

For FMS & Regional Center Review

Need the provider details?

Download the full SDP Provider Packet for service descriptions, HCBS information, rates, and provider documentation.

Download Provider Packet
The Connected Communicator™ LLC · Danielle Carpenter, M.A., CCC-SLP · California SLP License #19173

This website is for informational purposes and does not itself establish authorization, eligibility, or reimbursement. Participant-specific requirements should be confirmed with the applicable Regional Center and Financial Management Service.