Self-Determination – The belief and value that you have the freedom to define your life, make meaningful choices regarding your life, and have the chance to direct the services and supports you need to pursue that life.
Self-Directed Services – A method for moving away from professionally managed models of supports and services. It allows you to select, direct, and manage your own services and supports. You can decide how they spend their CMH services budget.
Models of Self-Directed Services
Guiding Principles of Self Determination
In a self-directed arrangement, you hire your own workers and manage your services within a set budget that is based on assessments of medical needs. This assessment is done through the person-centered planning process, which includes assessment of medical necessity and goal setting. The Individual plan of service (IPOS) will be created with those goals, along with specific information about the support that will help you to meet those goals.
How Do I Begin Self-Directed Services?
It starts with your Individual Plan of Service (IPOS). At pre-planning, you can tell your case manager you are interested in Self-Directed services. They can provide details and help you in the process. You can request services via a self-directed arrangement upon entry into services or at any time during treatment.
Fiscal Management Services (FMS)
Fiscal management services help you control your individual budget and hire direct care workers. The fiscal management services help you manage and pay out the funds in your individual budget. HealthWest currently partners with Stuart Wilson and GT Independence.
FMS Role:
- Serve as employer agents (paying your workers and handling the tax and legal aspects of employment)
- Track and monitor how much you spend of your individual budget and let you know if you spend too much or have money that you have not spent
FMS Website Links:
Employer Resources
- Progress Note Template: Quality Assurance Team - Self Direction Daily Progress Note Template.pdf - All Documents
- Progress Note Example: Quality Assurance Team - Self Direction Daily Progress Note_EXAMPLE.pdf - All Documents
- Hiring tips and Interview Questions: Hiring Tips & Interviewing Questions.docx
- Role of Guardian/Participant: Role of the Guardian-Participant
- FAQ: FAQ for Self-Directed Services
- Self-Direction Flyer: Self-Direction Flyer 2025.pdf
- Department of Labor/Fair Labor Standards Act: https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/WHD/legacy/files/Digital_Reference_Guide_FLSA.pdf
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