Self-Directed Services Project

In 2002, the Center for Learning and Leadership began working with the Oklahoma Department of Human Services Developmental Disabilities Services Division (DDSD) and the Oklahoma Medicaid agency to implement Self-Directed Services for two Medicaid waivers for children and adults with developmental
disabilities.

In May 2005, the Oklahoma Self-Directed Care Act gave people with disabilities the authority to have more choice and control over their services and supports. It also required that a Self-Directed Services Advisory Committee be created to allow self-advocates and family members the opportunity to make recommendations to the two state agencies about policies and procedures for Self-Directed Services.

Self-Directed Services was made available through a pilot program in fall 2006. Doris Erhart, a parent and CLL staff member, developed a training curriculum in partnership with professionals from the Oklahoma Developmental Disabilities Services Division (DDSD) for families and DDSD case managers to be educated about Self-Directed Services together. During the initial rollout of Self-Directed Services Erhart trained the curriculum with a professional from DDSD. This model of parent-professional trainees and parent-professional trainers allowed family members and professionals to learn together and access the same
information at the same time.

The Self-Directed Services Advisory Committee continues to work in an advisement capacity with DDSD and Oklahoma's Medicaid agency about Self-Directed Services. Families and self-advocates on the committee have built relationships with program administrators and the DDSD director. The family-professional partnerships that are integral to this initiative provided a model for state agencies that provide services to people with disabilities to use input from families and self-advocates to influence the way services are
provided.

The following video was developed as part of the Oklahoma Department of Human Services Developmental Disabilities Services Division Self-Directed Services Project to answer frequently received questions about Self-Directed Services.

For more information, please contact:

Wanda Felty
Community Leadership and Advocacy Coordinator,
Oklahoma LEND Core Faculty, Parent/Family Issues
(405) 271-4500 Ext., 41004, or e-mail Wanda-Felty@ouhsc.edu

Primary partners of the Self-Directed Services Project are OKDHS Developmental Disabilities Services Division and the Oklahoma Medicaid Agency.

Copies of the Self-Directed Services Pilot Program Evaluation Report and Executive Summary are available for download on the "Products" page of our website.