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Self-Directed Services Overview

Background

• The Department of Developmental Services is establishing a Self-Directed (SD) Services program.
• SD Services will be based on the following values/principles:
  • Freedom - to plan a life with necessary supports.
  • Authority - to control a finite sum of dollars.
  • Support - to arrange resources and personnel to assist with living in and becoming a part of the community.
  • Responsibility - to accept a valued role in the community and to be accountable for spending public dollars.
  • Confirmation - to recognize the importance of leadership of self-advocates in the Self-Directed Services program.
• Self-Directed services principles have a documented program history of success as reported by pilot participants:
  • Improved relationships with family members.
  • More positive interactions with other people.
  • Increased involvement and interaction in the community.
  • Improved qualities in work or day activities.
  • Families and individuals with developmental disabilities are responsible in their use of public funds.
• The SD Services program anticipates including an Independence Plus (IP) Waiver that will provide federal funding for the program.

Program Attributes

• Anticipates an IP Waiver for Federal Fund Participation (FFP) of participants who are Waiver eligible.
• General funds available for participants who are not IP Waiver eligible.
• Provides participants with an individual budget to be used for needed services and supports in non-congregate settings.
• Assigns control of funds allocated for the individual budget to the participants.
• A "risk pool" will be available to manage a participant's "unanticipated" needs.
• Allows for participant choice in selecting qualified service providers.
• Offers two unique participant services and supports: Financial Management Services (FMS) and supports brokerage.
• Provides for a well-designed, comprehensive quality management system.
• Participation is voluntary for participants.

Enrollment Criteria

• Must have a developmental disability.
• Must receive services in "non-congregate" settings only.
• Must be age 3 or older.
• Must be willing to accept terms and conditions of the program:
  • Undergo an in-depth orientation to the Self-Directed Services program.
  • Agree to utilize the services and supports available within the Self-Directed Services program only, except for Medi-Cal state plan benefits.
  • Accept and manage within the individual budget amount that has been established on his/her behalf.
  • Employ the services of a Financial Management Services entity for the purposes of payroll, disbursement of funds, and related duties, pursuant to the participant's approval.
  • Utilize Supports Brokerage Services in planning, developing and implementing the Individual Program Plan (IPP).

Stakeholder Aspects

Participants

• Participant-directed, person-centered planning process.
• Freedom and responsibility to control and direct his/her services and supports.
• Extensive training available regarding services, individual budget development, hiring, supervising, and managing service providers.
• Services and supports available from a set of new services defined to assist participants in planning and implementing their Individual Program Plan (IPP), utilizing funding from his/her individual budget allotment.
• Supports brokerage services available to assist the participant in the person-centered planning process and in identifying, developing and negotiating customized services.
• Supports brokerage services available to provide training and assistance to participants in recruiting, hiring, supervising, and managing service providers.
• Individual assistance available by a Financial Management Services entity for managing the individual budget and for maintaining employer payroll responsibilities.
• A monthly report provided by the FMS, showing real and estimated expenditures and the amount remaining in the individual budget.
• Criminal background checks initiated by the FMS to be made available at the request of and at no cost to the participant.
• Assistance of a FMS provider for timely payment of services as needed.
• Regional center service coordinator, in conjunction with the participant, to reach agreement and complete the IPP.
• RC service coordinator to provide risk and safety management and technical assistance and training on IPP implementation.
• RC service coordinator to document and collect data to monitor service quality.
• Individual budget amount equivalent to 90%, in the aggregate, of total purchase of services.
• Enrollment availability limited during the first 5 years.

Regional Centers (RC)

• Training to be provided to RCs prior to implementation.
• Supports brokers and FMS to complement existing RC staff.

Service Providers

• Provides new job opportunities in RC service delivery support brokers and FMS.
• Training and program materials to be developed by the Department of Developmental Services and given to participating RC's for their use with local providers.
• Existing service providers may customize services for participants and families to ensure that the provision of services are available, only in non-congregate settings.
• Vendorization is required for one service, the FMS.