PURPOSE

The My Voice, My Choice waiver program is a new option for adults living in Idaho. My Voice, My Choice offers a system of "Self-Directed" supports. The purpose of this section is for you to understand the differences in waiver options available in Idaho and the fundamental components of the Self-Directed Program. 

1. Identify the differences between the traditional process of

    accessing services and the My Voice, My Choice program of

    accessing supports.
2. Describe the difference between services and supports.
3. Identify the differences between a case manager,

    service coordinator, and Support Broker.

INTRODUCTION

Adults with developmental disabilities in Idaho who are eligible for Medicaid services work with the Idaho Medicaid Care Management program to access community-based waiver options.  Community-based waiver options provide funding to support individuals in their own communities.  The Care Management Program serves Idaho adults (18 or older) who receive Medicaid benefits and are applying for and have been authorized to receive developmental disability services.

The My Voice, My Choice program is a new option designed to assist adults with disabilities to have more control over the supports they receive, where they live, and what they do for work and recreation. 

This section will: 1) compare the difference between services and supports as they are used to in traditional waiver options and the new self-directed option; 2) briefly review the current community-based waiver programs and provide an overview of the traditional waiver services; 3) define and compare service coordination, case management and support brokerage; and finally self-advocates from the Idaho Self-Advocacy Leadership Network will demonstrate how to access the new My  Voice, My Choice waiver option and the features of the self-directed support system will be outlined. 

SERVICES AND SUPPORTS DEFINED
Before we outline the traditional waiver options, it is important to reflect on the difference between SERVICES and SUPPORTS. Individuals with disabilities have experienced a variety of situations where their disabilities or diagnoses were the primary factor to their teachers, their communities and to their medical professionals. The medical model of service emphasizes the idea that there is a problem (sickness, dysfunction) that needs to be fixed (assessment, rehabilitation, treatment).

A SERVICE is:

        1. Clearly defined, planned and executed;

        2. Reviewed by professionals or paraprofessional who deliver them to

            determine the effectiveness of the service;and

        3. Successful if the problem goes away.

An example of a SERVICE would be Developmental, Speech, Physical, or Occupational therapies. There must be a plan for how the problem or dysfunction is addressed, treated and progress must be documented.

A SUPPORT is:

        1. A range of interventions depending on how needs change;

        2. A natural event in someone's life;

        3. Successful as determined by the individual using the support.

An example of a SUPPORT would be getting a ride to work. To perform your job and make a living, you are required to get to your office or work place on time. Planning how you will get to work is an example of what should happen in creating a Support Plan. The Support, is how you achieve your goal of getting to work on time (neighbor, taxi cab, bus,  walk with a friend, paid support).

As a Support Broker, you must take care to assist with the development and execution of a Support Plan, rather than a Service Plan.  Friends, family, and professionals may need help understanding the distinction. 

Example of the Difference between "Services" and "Supports".

Perhaps the best way to describe a service in contrast to a support is through an illustration about morning routines. If an adult needs help to get out of bed, get cleaned, dressed, have breakfast and get to work--what would a traditional Service look like? What would a Support like?

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