Intro to Self-Direction

By Empower NY Team · 45 min · Free

Self-direction lets you build a support plan around your own life instead of fitting your life into someone else's program. In this introductory class we cover what self-direction actually means in New York, who qualifies, and how the budget and staffing pieces work in plain language. You'll learn how to think about your goals, how to recruit and pay the people who help you, and what your broker, fiscal intermediary, and care manager each do. We share real examples — what's worked, what hasn't — so you can picture how self-direction might fit your family. By the end of the session, you'll know the next concrete steps to take, the questions to bring to your team, and where to go for help when you're ready to start.