Spectrum Arch, Inc.OPWDD Self-Direction in New York: a step-by-step guide
Self-Direction can feel complicated at first. Here is the whole path in eight steps, plus the terms you will hear along the way.
The eight steps
Confirm OPWDD eligibility
Apply through the OPWDD Front Door to be found eligible for OPWDD services. This usually needs records showing a developmental disability that began before age 22.
Enroll in Medicaid and the HCBS Waiver
Self-Direction is available to people enrolled in Medicaid and the OPWDD Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waiver.
Choose a Care Manager
Pick a Care Coordination Organization (CCO). Your Care Manager writes your Life Plan and is your main contact with OPWDD.
Tell your Care Manager you want to self-direct
Your Care Manager will help you request Self-Direction and connect you with OPWDD's Self-Direction information and training.
Choose a Support Broker and a Fiscal Intermediary
If you self-direct with Budget Authority, your Support Broker helps you plan and build your budget. Your Fiscal Intermediary (FI) handles payroll, pays approved expenses, and tracks your budget.
Build your Circle of Support and your plan
With your broker, bring together people who know you well, set goals, and decide which supports and staff you need.
Develop and submit your budget
Your broker helps you turn the plan into a self-direction budget (your Personal Resource Account) and submit it for approval.
Hire staff and start services
Once your budget is approved, you hire staff through your FI and your services begin. Your broker helps you adjust as needs change.
Timing varies. Eligibility, waiver enrollment, and budget approval each take time, so it helps to start early, ideally well before school services end at 21.
Terms you will hear
- OPWDD
- The New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities, which oversees services for people with developmental disabilities.
- Front Door
- OPWDD's process for applying for eligibility and learning about service options.
- HCBS Waiver
- Home and Community-Based Services Waiver: the Medicaid program that pays for most OPWDD community services, including Self-Direction.
- Care Manager / CCO
- Your Care Manager works for a Care Coordination Organization and writes and updates your Life Plan.
- Life Plan
- Your person-centered plan describing your goals and the services that support them.
- Personal Resource Account (PRA)
- The self-direction budget available to you, based on your assessed needs.
- Fiscal Intermediary (FI)
- The organization that processes payroll for your self-hired staff and pays for approved goods and services.
- Employer authority
- You recruit, hire, train, schedule, and supervise your own staff.
- Budget authority
- You decide how your approved budget is spent on supports and services.
- Circle of Support
- Family, friends, and others who help you plan and make decisions.
Now building our Support Brokerage team
Spectrum Arch is preparing to offer Support Brokerage in Saratoga County and across the Capital Region. We are not accepting new Self-Direction clients yet, but families and Care Managers are welcome to contact us to join our interest list. We will reach out as soon as we can start.
Official information
Program rules change. For the latest details, see OPWDD's Self-Direction information and Support Broker FAQ, or ask your Care Manager.