How the OPWDD Self Direction Process Works – Step-by-Step Guide for Families

For many families caring for individuals with developmental disabilities, finding the right services can feel overwhelming. The OPWDD Self Direction program offers a flexible alternative to traditional services by allowing individuals and families to choose the supports that best meet their needs.

However, many families hesitate to begin the process because they are unsure how Self Direction works. Understanding the steps involved can make the process much less intimidating and help families feel confident about moving forward.

In this guide, we will walk through the entire Self Direction process, from the initial request to the final budget approval and service implementation.

What Is Self Direction?

Self-Direction is a program offered by the New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) that gives individuals greater control over their services and supports.

Instead of relying solely on agency-provided services, Self Direction allows individuals to:

• Design their own support plan

• Choose who provides their services

• Decide how their budget is allocated

• Focus on goals that matter most to them

This approach empowers individuals and families by giving them more flexibility and independence in managing services.

Step 1: Requesting Self-Direction

The first step toward participating in Self Direction begins with the individual’s care manager.

The care manager submits a request to OPWDD called a SART (Self-Direction Authorization Request). This request formally indicates that the individual wants to participate in the Self-Direction program.

At this stage, families will also need to attend a Self-Direction orientation or webinar, which is typically offered monthly.

The purpose of this training is to help families understand:

• How Self-Direction works

• What responsibilities are involved

• How budgets are structured

• The roles of different support team members

Completing this training ensures that families are prepared to make informed decisions throughout the process.

Step 2: Choosing a Broker and Fiscal Intermediary

Once the request is approved, the individual must choose two important partners:

1. Self-Direction Broker: The broker helps create and manage the individual’s Self-Direction budget. They guide families through the process and ensure the plan meets OPWDD requirements.

2. Fiscal Intermediary (FI): The Fiscal Intermediary manages financial aspects of the Self-Direction program, including:

   1. Paying staff

   2. Processing invoices

   3. Submitting documentation to Medicaid

   4. Monitoring the budget

Together, the broker and FI form essential parts of the individual’s support team.

Step 3: Creating the Start-Up Budget

1. After selecting a broker and FI, the broker prepares a start-up budget.

2. This budget includes basic information about the individual and allocates funding for initial services such as the broker’s setup work.

3. The start-up budget is then submitted to the Developmental Disabilities Regional Office (DDRO) for approval.

4. Once approved, the broker and the rest of the support team can begin developing the full Self-Direction budget.

Step 4: Building the Individual Budget

The next step involves creating a customized Self-Direction budget tailored to the individual’s needs and life goals.

This process involves collaboration between several members of the Circle of Support, including

• The individual receiving services

• Family members or caregivers

• The care manager

• The broker

• The fiscal intermediary

Together, the team determines which services should be included in the plan.

These may include:

• Community habilitation

• Respite services

• Self-hired staff

• Transportation

• Housing supports

• Individual Directed Goods and Services (IDGS)

Each service is carefully planned to ensure the budget aligns with the individual’s Life Plan goals.

Step 5: Budget Submission and Approval

Once the full budget is created, it must be submitted for approval.

The review process typically follows this path:

1. The broker submits the budget to the Fiscal Intermediary.

2. The Fiscal Intermediary reviews the documentation.

3. The budget is sent to the DDRO.

4. DDRO sends the budget to the OPWDD Central Office in Albany for final approval.

5. Once approved, confirmation is sent back to the Fiscal Intermediary.

Although the process involves several steps, working with an experienced broker can help ensure everything is completed correctly and efficiently.

Step 6: Implementing the Budget

After the budget is approved, the individual’s Life Plan is updated to include all authorized services. At this stage, families can begin using the Self-Direction budget to access supports and services.

This may include:

• Hiring staff

• Scheduling community programs

• Purchasing approved goods and services

• Starting new activities that support personal goals

  
  

For many individuals, this is the moment when Self Direction truly begins to transform their daily lives.

The Importance of the Circle of Support

Throughout the Self Direction process, the Circle of Support (COS) plays a vital role.

The Circle of Support typically includes:

• Care manager

• Broker

• Fiscal intermediary

• Family members

• Advocates

Each member contributes to ensuring the individual receives the services they need while maintaining compliance with OPWDD guidelines.

Strong collaboration between these members helps ensure that the Self-Direction plan runs smoothly.

Benefits of Self-Direction

Families who choose Self Direction often report significant benefits, including:

• Greater Flexibility: Individuals can choose services that align with their specific needs rather than relying on standardized programs.

• Personalized Support: Every budget and service plan is customized to support the individual’s personal goals.

• More Independence: Self-Direction empowers individuals to make choices about their lives and participate more actively in their communities.

The Self-Direction process may seem complicated at first, but understanding each step makes it much more manageable.

With the help of a knowledgeable broker and support team, families can navigate the system confidently and build a plan that truly meets their needs.

Self-Direction is an opportunity for individuals with developmental disabilities to live fuller, more independent lives.