Self-Directed Supports
Self-directed supports are a way for people to have more control in deciding how to spend their DD funding. Besides setting their goals and schedule, they will hire their own support staff and manage their service budget. The person's family or other people they trust can help them make these decisions.
With self-directed supports, the person getting services are the boss. They find, hire, train, and supervise their support staff. They decide how much to pay their support staff, and they can fire them if they need to. The following are part of self-directed services:
- Fiscal Intermediary (FI) services. An FI will help the person manage their funding. The person chooses the FI they will work with. The FI will help them complete hiring paperwork and payroll for their support staff.
- Support Broker (SB) services. A SB can help the person learn the skills they need to successfully self-direct. This includes skills to manage their staff and budget. It also includes how to find information and resources in the community.
- Good and Services. People can use their funding to buy goods and services to support their health, wellbeing, and goals. If they want to buy something through goods and services, they should first talk to their service team. There are rules about what they can and can’t buy.
Technical Bulletins
To view technical bulletins related to self-direction, visit our Policies webpage.
The Goods and Services Brochure (PDF) shares information about buying goods and services.
A Goods and Services Request Form (PDF) must be complete for all goods and services.
For more information on self-directed supports, explore these resources.
Information on Self-Directed Supports from Advocates in Action
Advocates in Action gave a presentation during Rhode Island's 2021 Statewide Self-Advocacy Conference. The presentation, the Director is IN Conference Encore (YouTube), shares information about what it means to self-direct DD Services and how to do it.
Information on Self-Directed Supports from the Sherlock Center
The Paul V. Sherlock Center on Disabilities at Rhode Island College has a lot of information about self-directed services.
One helpful resource is the Sherlock Center Self-Directed Supports Brochure (PDF). The brochure includes a guide to get started with self-directed supports, and answers to frequently asked questions.
The Sherlock Center Self-Directed Supports Brochure is available in Spanish (PDF).
Another helpful resource is the Sherlock Center Self-Directed Supports video presentation. The presentation provides information on self-directed support options.
Information on Self-Directed Supports from Medicaid
The Medicaid Self-Directed Services webpage has great information about self-direction. The webpage shares information about self-direction options, guidelines, and FI services.
Another helpful resource is the Integrated Care Resource Center (ICRC). The ICRC is a national initiative of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' (CMS). The ICRC website has a lot of information including:
- DSP Acknowledgement Form English (PDF)
- DSP Acknowledgement Form Spanish (PDF)
- DSP Initial Employer Acknowledgement Form English (PDF)
- DSP Initial Employer Acknowledgement Form Spanish (PDF)
- DSP Yearly Employer Acknowledgement Form English (PDF)
- DSP Yearly Employer Acknowledgement Form Spanish (PDF)
- Non-Driving DSP Form English (PDF)
- Overtime Staff Request Form English (PDF)
- Overtime Staff Request Form Spanish (PDF)
- Parent Guardian Request Form for More Hours English (PDF)
- Parent Guardian Request Form for More Hours Spanish (PDF)
- Parents and Guardians as DSP Request Form English (PDF)
- Parents and Guardians as DSP Request Form Spanish (PDF)
This webpage was updated 4/8/25.