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What is self-direction?
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How does self-direction work?
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What services can be self-directed?
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Self-Direction Maine

What is self-direction?

Self-direction is a way of receiving services that puts you in the driver's seat. You have choice and control over:

  • What services you want
  • Who provides the services and supports
  • When the service or support is provided
  • Where the service or support is provided
  • How the service or support is provided

How does self-direction work?

  • You are the boss. You recruit, interview, hire and manage workers that you choose. This can even include hiring friends and family members if you want.
  • You set the schedule. You decide when your staff will come to provide assistance.
  • You train your staff. Support can be provided how you want.
  • You decide what rate your staff will be paid, within program and state/federal guidelines.
  • You can use some of the money in your budget to purchase goods or services that will improve your independence, community involvement, or safety.
  • Self-direction is a lot of work, but many people self-directing find the challenges are greatly outweighed by the rewards.

What services can be self-directed?

If you are on Section 29, the following services can be self-directed:

  • Home Support- Quarter Hour
  • 1:1 Community Membership
  • Individual Directed Goods and Services
  • Assistive Technology Devices
  • Assistive Technology- Transmission
  • Home Accessibility Adaptations

Is self-direction right for me?

Here are some questions to ask:

  • Do you want more choice and control over your services?
  • Do words that describe you include: self-starter, go-getter, organized, or independent?
  • Do you feel comfortable recruiting and interviewing applicants?
  • Do you feel comfortable having conversations with people about their performance, especially if things aren’t going well?
  • Do you have family and friends that are currently providing assistance for you or would like to?
  • Do you feel confident in your own decision-making skills?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, self-direction might be right for you!

If you know you want more choice and control but are a little unsure about the rest, self-direction might still be right for you. In self-direction, you can appoint a representative.

A representative is a person that takes on some, or all, of the employer responsibilities. You can appoint a trusted adult in your life to be your representative, who will help you with decision making and problem solving. Using a representative means you still get to be in charge, but you will have someone else’s help along the way.