Participant Direction

What It Is

Many states and local areas have policies and practices that enable individuals, with support from family and friends, to exercise control over their supports and services and, occassionally, the budget of Medicaid funds allocated for their services.  Exercising participant direction over services and funding usually includes developing a person-centered plan, developing a budget and spending plan, serving as the employer of record (recruiting, hiring, supervising and scheduling support staff), identifying and purchasing needed goods and services, and working with a support team which may include a case manager, support broker, fiscal intermediary, and family and friends. 

What We're Doing

We are studying the impact of the policies and practices associated with participant direction on individuals and their families. We are discovering what roles and responsibilities various people have and how individuals, families, and agencies implement participant-directed service models. There are many "islands of excellence" throughout the country; however, good ideas and best practices are not shared easily with others. We are gathering examples of the best practices encountered in our research so that others can learn from the experiences of those working in this innovative field.

Find out more about the Beach Center's work in the area of participant direction of Medicaid funding, specifically in funding sources and supports and services.