Self-Directed Services

What are Self-Directed Services?

The Maryland Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) supports the rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to choose to self-direct their services. 

Self-direction promotes personal choice and control over the delivery of services, such as what types of services you receive, who provides the services, and how the services are provided. It is an alternative to traditionally delivered and managed services, such as receiving services directly through a provider like Penn-Mar. Through self-direction, a person chooses their own services, selects the people or agencies who provide them, and manages all aspects of these services.

There are two key components to self-direction:

1. Employer Authority – you recruit, hire, train, and supervise the staff and/or service providers you want to provide your supports. You can also fire the staff/service providers as necessary. 
2. Budget Authority – you decide how to spend your budgeted funding to purchase authorized services, such as Assistive Technology, Employment Supports, Community Development Services, Environmental Modifications, etc. 

Self-direction provides participants a greater degree of choice in how, when, and where services are delivered, who delivers them, and the rate of payment for services. It means you decide what you want to achieve, how you want to live your life, what supports you prefer, and what employees or agencies will best meet your needs. It also means that you are responsible for managing these choices. 

Learn more about DDA’s Self-Directed Service Model