Self-Direction

Relates how the self-direction movement was developed, the research that supports it, how the model has spread across the country and the globe, and recommendations and prospects for the future.

In the past, when people with disabilities and older adults needed help with activities of daily living and navigating their communities, they rarely had any choice about who helped them, when that support was delivered, or what the worker would or would not do. The self-direction movement changed all that by offering people the option to select their own workers and even create an individualized budget to help them live more independently. Written by experts who played a key part in the growth, evaluation, and dissemination of this revolutionary approach, Self-Direction describes the development of this movement through the authors' personal accounts. Also included are stories from actual participants in the movement who benefitted from this approach and from policymakers who saw how self-direction could help address states' problems. The book's conclusion discusses recommendations that can improve the way self-direction is delivered and how to spread its message so that all people with disabilities can have this choice.

Valerie J. Bradley is President Emerita at the Human Services Research Institute. She is the author of several books, including (coauthored with Robert L Schalock and James F. Gardner) Quality of Life: Applications for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. Marc H. Fenton is former partner at Public Consulting Group, Inc. and Founding President of Public Partnerships, LLC, the country's largest fiscal intermediary for people using self-directed budgets. Kevin J. Mahoney is Professor Emeritus at Boston College School of Social Work and Founding Director of the National Resource Center for Participant-Directed Services. His previous books include (coedited with Ellen K. Mahoney and Michelle Putnam) Self-Direction in Long Term Services and Supports: The Cash and Counseling Demonstration and Evaluation Ten Years On.