Choosing services, providers, payment, or a start
Compare managed and self-directed services
Compare the MCO care-team and network model, optional self-directed supports within managed care, and IRIS participant-directed responsibilities.
Official sources checked 2026-07-29
Start here
Being a Full Partner in Family Care and PartnershipBefore you start
- Goals, assessed needs, approved program, desired control, provider or worker candidates, employer responsibilities, scheduling, backup coverage, health coordination, transportation, communication, safeguards, and support needed to manage services.
Who to contact
Start with the local ADRC or Tribal ADRS. After enrollment, use the selected MCO care team or IRIS consultant agency and fiscal employer agent. For an adverse action, use the exact notice and program-specific rights route.
Step by step
- Ask the MCO care team or IRIS consultant which delivery models are available for each proposed service.
- Compare who recruits, contracts, employs, schedules, supervises, pays, monitors, and supplies backup support.
- Document the choice and every planning, qualification, onboarding, authorization, and readiness step.
Expected next
A documented delivery-model choice, member-centered plan or IRIS service-plan event, referral, worker onboarding step, or written constraint.
Save this proof
Comparison notes, plan or budget documents, candidate information, onboarding records, backup plan, and dates.
If this stalls or the answer is no
Ask the MCO member-rights specialist or IRIS consultant to explain any unresolved responsibility, choice, or constraint in writing.
Beyond Childhood planning aid
Compare managed and self-directed services checklist
A Beyond Childhood planning aid derived from the cited official sources.
- Owner and program
- Date started
- Documents supplied
- Written result or confirmation
- Current open dependency
- Next event and date
- Escalation contact
Derived from Being a Full Partner in Family Care and Partnership, Family Care managed care organizations, Enroll in IRIS, IRIS manuals, service-plan policy, and participant resources, IRIS help, consultant agencies, and fiscal employer agents
Official resources
Limits
A delivery-model choice does not remove eligibility, plan, budget, authorization, qualification, contracting, safety, provider acceptance, staffing, or start 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.