Self-Direction gives waiver participants the control to choose the people that they want to provide supports for them and in some cases, the ability to provide higher wages for their Direct Support Professional (DSP). However, Self-Direction also comes with more responsibility. Self-direction is currently available to New Opportunities Waiver (NOW), Children’s Choice Waiver and Residential Options Waiver (ROW) participants.
My Experience with Self-Direction Presentations
The Louisiana Developmental Disabilities Council sponsored workshops across the state hosted by families and self-advocates already directing their own services and co-hosted by Families Helping Families. In these workshops participants heard how one family benefited from self-direction and manages the responsibilities. This opportunity allowed participants to get any questions they had answered from a personal level and were given specifics of how the family benefited after switching to self-directed waivered services.