Self-Direction
Self-Direction
Self-direction allows individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to control most aspects of their home and community-based services. States use various terms for self-direction, including participant-directed services and consumer-directed services. If a person with IDD is unable or unwilling to direct their own services, they can have a family member do so on their behalf (this is also known as self-direction). Additionally, many individuals self-direct some services while also receiving other services from provider agencies. Self-direction is funded by federal and state Medicaid funds and is overseen in New York by the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD).
Coalition for Self-Direction
The Coalition is led by the families of New Yorkers with intellectual and developmental disabilities who rely on self-directed services. The Coalition welcomes all who value self-direction, including individuals and their supporters.
Supporting Our Youth & Adults Network (SOYAN)
SOYAN supports New Yorkers with developmental disabilities to live a self-determined and self-directed life and the people who support them. SOYAN focuses on empowerment and advocacy issues relating to supporting the journey of youth and adults embarking upon living a self-determined life with the supports of Self-Direction with Full Budget Authority through OPWDD.
Self-Directed Services: Challenges and Training Needs
This brief describes the challenges faced by New Yorkers who self-direct and their natural supports when using self-directed services and what training topics respondents felt would help support self-direction.
2020 Evaluation of Experiences with Self Direction in New York State: A Focus on Sustainability
This report summarizes the findings of a survey of New Yorkers about self-direction and explores the current benefits and challenges of self-directed support and its sustainability when natural supports can no longer support the process.
Policy Research Brief: State IDD Agencies’ Views on Self-Directed Services
Self-direction allows people to set their own schedules and hire their own staff, including friends and family—an advantage when service options are limited, as in rural areas. However, self-direction plans are complicated and, therefore, difficult for individuals to manage. It is also difficult for state IDD agencies to explain self-direction.