Choosing direction, providers, rates, or a start
Compare traditional, PDS, and blended services
Ask the case manager to explain eligible PDS services, responsibilities, budgets, employee rules, fiscal support, and a blended option.
Official sources checked 2026-07-29
Start here
Participant-Directed ServicesBefore you start
- Current waiver and services, desired control, hiring and supervision capacity, representative support, employee candidates, rates, paperwork, training, backup coverage, and traditional alternatives.
Who to contact
Use the official destination above, the county-linked ADRC or CMHC, the case manager, the operating agency, or the exact contact on the controlling notice.
Step by step
- Ask which non-medical, non-residential services may be participant-directed.
- Compare all participant, representative, employee, case-manager, and financial-management duties.
- Document the selected PDS, traditional, or blended model and every readiness step.
Expected next
A documented choice, PDS case-manager assignment, employee or fiscal activity, or written explanation of a constraint.
Save this proof
Comparison notes, service plan, roles, employee records, training, budget, timesheets, and backup plan.
If this stalls or the answer is no
Contact the PDS case manager or DAIL and ask for the exact policy basis and alternative when an option is unavailable.
Beyond Childhood planning aid
Compare traditional, PDS, and blended services checklist
A Beyond Childhood planning aid derived from the cited official sources.
- Owner and date started
- Documents supplied
- Confirmation or notice
- Current status
- Next event and date
- Escalation contact
Derived from Michelle P. Waiver, Supports for Community Living Waiver, Participant-Directed Services
Official resources
Limits
PDS is available only to eligible waiver participants and does not remove service-plan, employee, background-check, paperwork, budget, or fiscal requirements.
Beyond Childhood’s checklists and prompts are planning aids derived from official sources. They are not official forms, legal advice, eligibility decisions, or guarantees of funding, capacity, quality, or service.