Self-direction, also called self-directed care, is an alternative to traditional service delivery models in which participants control an individual budget, create a person-centered plan, and purchase goods and services they feel will best help them to achieve their goals. In this roundtable, two people who self-direct will share how the expanded choice and control in self-direction has impacted their lives. They’ll be joined by a researcher who will describe outcomes, implementation facilitators and barriers, and best practice in self-direction across the country.
Resources
- Handout – Self-Direction Talking Points (Human Services Research Institute)
- NYS’ Mental Health Self-Directed Care Pilot: Outcomes
- NYS’ Mental Health Self-Directed Care Pilot: Implementation
- A recent review of cost research: Robinson, M., Blaise, M., Weber, G., & Suhrcke, M. (2022). The Effects and Costs of Personalized Budgets for People with Disabilities: A Systematic Review. Int J Environ Res Public Health, 19(23).
- The Effect of Cash and Counseling on Medicaid and Medicare Costs: Findings for Adults in Three States
- Roundup of mental health self-direction research
- National Center on Advancing Person-Centered Practices and Systems
- New State Strategies To Meet Long-Term Care Needs
Panelists
Born with cerebral palsy, Tim Jin advocates for the rights of anyone with a speech-related disability to have access to the communication tools and support they need. He has used an augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) device since elementary school in the 1980s. His work has been featured by TEDx and other publications. Mr. Jin graduated from California State University in Long Beach with a degree in speech communication. He lives in Southern California , and also serves on the boards of several nonprofits. Mr. Jin is in Self Determination and achieving life to the fullest. He is currently the Co-Director on Empowerment Programs at Disability Voices United.
Felix Guzman is poet, community organizer, and advocate working towards building healthy communities inclusive of all. Sharing the legacy of those who came before him, Felix works on creating opportunities for abolition effecting restorative and transformative change in systems and individuals. Felix utilizes Self-Direction to help foster personal and professional development allowing access for access to equity and safety for himself. Felix advocates for expansion of Self-Direction to offer others to have the same opportunities to affect empowerment and self-actualization.
Bevin Croft is a Senior Research Associate and director of the Behavioral Health team at the Human Services Research Institute (www.hsri.org). She is co-director of the National Center on Advancing Person-Centered Practices and Systems (www.ncapps.acl.gov). She holds principal roles in self-direction research and technical assistance projects and was the principal investigator of a multi-state Demonstration and Evaluation of Self-Direction in Behavioral Health (www.mentalhealthselfdirection.org).
