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).
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.