Are you trying to get services through the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) for you or someone you care for? Take a look at these resources...
Becoming eligible for services
Receiving eligibility for OPWDD services
Info about the eligibility determination process (NYC specific but also has helpful general information)
Applying for OPWDD services (NYC specific but also has helpful general information)
Info about the eligibility determination process (NYC specific but also has helpful general information)
Applying for OPWDD services (NYC specific but also has helpful general information)
Self direction information
Self-direction brochure
Getting started with self-direction: List of steps
Getting started with self-direction: Road map
Self-direction overview
Self-direction guide for families
Getting started with self-direction: List of steps
Getting started with self-direction: Road map
Self-direction overview
Self-direction guide for families
Frequently asked questions about self-direction
What is it?
Once an individual qualifies for services through OPWDD, if you choose to use services through self-direction, you will have more flexibility in choosing what services you want to use. There are a lot of terms to get familiar with, but your care manager should be able to explain everything and help you get started!
How does someone get started?
Take a look at the "getting started" documents provided above. They show the steps someone needs to take to get started with the self-direction program.
How much money will be given to the individual getting services?
The Personal Resource Account, or PRA, is different for everyone. Your broker will help you work on your budget and will be able to tell you what your PRA amount is. Note that the PRA can change when yearly assessments are done if there are changes in the individual's health or disabilities.
What types of services can be paid for?
There are a number of rules about what services can be paid for with funds through self-direction, but in general some things that people can use the funds for include:
What if I homeschool?
That is fine! You will need to provide the hours that you homeschool to your team. You will not be able to have staff bill for time worked during those hours your child is "in school".
Once an individual qualifies for services through OPWDD, if you choose to use services through self-direction, you will have more flexibility in choosing what services you want to use. There are a lot of terms to get familiar with, but your care manager should be able to explain everything and help you get started!
How does someone get started?
Take a look at the "getting started" documents provided above. They show the steps someone needs to take to get started with the self-direction program.
How much money will be given to the individual getting services?
The Personal Resource Account, or PRA, is different for everyone. Your broker will help you work on your budget and will be able to tell you what your PRA amount is. Note that the PRA can change when yearly assessments are done if there are changes in the individual's health or disabilities.
What types of services can be paid for?
There are a number of rules about what services can be paid for with funds through self-direction, but in general some things that people can use the funds for include:
- Paying for respite staff (people who come and help care for the individual)
- Paying for community habilitation (comm hab) staff (people who work with the individual on the goals that are developed in their life plan)
- Paying transportation for staff (when the individual is in the car with them)
- Paying activity fees for staff
- Paying for classes and lessons (as long as they are things that re open to anyone in the community)
- Paying for camp ($4,000 limit)
- Paying for memberships at things like gyms or museums (it has to be an individual membership though, not a family)
- Paying for items that help with health and safety
- Depending on the individual's age, things like housing and employment support can also be paid for through self-direction.
- These are just some examples! The broker will be able to help the individual create a budget that works for them.
What if I homeschool?
That is fine! You will need to provide the hours that you homeschool to your team. You will not be able to have staff bill for time worked during those hours your child is "in school".