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About Self-Directed Services

The Self-Directed (SD) program is "A means by which individuals who are eligible for state developmental disabilities services are empowered to gain control over the selection of services and supports, that meet their own needs." The SD Services program will "Enhance the ability of a consumer and his or her family to control the decisions and resources required to meet all or some of the objectives in his or her individual program plan." Although relatively new in California, SD Services programs are implemented nationwide and have garnered international and bi-partisan support.

Self-Directed Services programs are guided by the vision that people with disabilities will determine their own futures, with appropriate assistance from families and friends. They are based on the following five principles:

1. freedom (Ability for individuals to plan a life and customize the purchase of needed resource and services),
2. authority (to control a certain sum of dollars in order to purchase necessary supports),
3. support (to arrange resources and personnel both formal and informal to assist an individual with a disability to reside within the community),
4. responsibility (to accept a valued role in the community and to be accountable for spending public dollars that are life enhancing), and
5. confirmation (to recognize the importance that leadership in self-advocates in the SD services program).

Enhanced participant control over the decisions and resources necessary to implement an Individual Program Plan (IPP) comes from the use of the person-centered planning process during the IPP development stage, and through the offering of a finite, yet comprehensive, array of integrated and inclusive services and supports. Each participant will have an individual budget to purchase specific services and supports to implement their IPP. The services and supports selected must be provided within an inclusive, community setting. Services provided in congregate settings - day programs, sheltered workshops, residential facilities - cannot be purchased under the program.

Other program elements designed to provide positive outcomes for participants in the SD Services program include a monthly financial management services (FMS) report that will show real/estimated expenditures and the budget balance so that participants can better manage their individual budgets. A "risk pool" fund will also be available to participants for managing unanticipated service/support needs. Finally, criminal background checks of prospective service providers will be available upon request and at no cost to the participant.

The SD Services program will include important new resources designed to enhance community integration and personal empowerment, and increase the positive outcomes for participants. It allows those who are participating to choose their preferred, qualified service providers, including the supports broker and the FMS provider. The supports broker may assist in the person-centered planning process and can help develop and negotiate customized services. The FMS will pay bills and act as the fiscal employer agent for the participant. Regional center service coordinators will continue to participate in the person-centered planning process, providing risk and safety management, technical assistance and training, and will also document and collect data to monitor service quality.

The Department of Developmental Services (DDS) is authorized to offer a SD Services program in California, contingent on the approval of a federal waiver. Consequently, DDS, in collaboration with the California Department of Health Services, is submitting an application for an Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waiver to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). CMS designed the HCBS Waiver for states seeking federal funding for implementing SD Services programs.

DDS is seeking approval of the HCBS Waiver that has been designed to provide for SD Services program implementation in all 21 regional centers. The program will include both a state-funded-only program and a combined federal/state-funded program. Therefore, individuals do not have to meet waiver eligibility requirements in order to participate in the program. Individuals who want to join will receive in-depth orientation and training prior to enrollment into the program. Enrollment in the program is voluntary. A participant may opt back into the traditional service delivery at any time.