What Is Self Direction?

The Department of Developmental Services (DDS) offers three ways for people to get services. Each option gives individuals and families different levels of responsibility and control over how services are designed and provided.

What are Self-Directed Services?

Self-Directed service delivery models allow the participant and family the opportunity to create more individualized supports based on their vision and needs. The individual and family have authority and responsibility over a budget, and can decide who they would like to hire, when the supports will be provided, what the individual will do, where the supports will be provided and how services will be arranged. The services are flexible and can be customized to meet the changing needs of the individual as they learn and grow. Two of the options, Agency with Choice and the Participant Directed Program, require the individual and family to have shared responsibility for the administration and management of the services they have created. See the diagram below for more details about these options. 

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