What is Self-Direction?
A Person-Centered Path
Self-Direction is an OPWDD-sponsored Medicaid waiver program that transforms how traditional disability care is managed. Rather than accepting pre-determined agency shifts, individuals gain full authority to define exactly how, when, and by whom they are supported in their homes and communities.
Dynamic Co-Management
You or your designated representative direct your daily care plan, hand-pick staff, and organize your schedules. Meanwhile, JM Murray serves as your corporate backbone – administering payroll, executing payments, and managing strict Medicaid regulatory compliance on your behalf.
Core Pillars of Autonomy
Budget Authority
Direct your authorized OPWDD funding allocation toward community classes, customizable personal services, and crucial housing resources designed to elevate your independent living goals.
Employer Authority
Take charge of your staffing team. You hire, schedule, train and co-supervise the dedicated personal assistants and support specialists whom you trust in your daily life.
Living Autonomy
Design your own residential future. Decide whether you wish to live independently in an apartment, share spaces and costs with roommates, live with family, or design a custom home.
Path to Self-Direction
Access Front Door
Complete the official OPWDD Front Door intake process to establish eligibility.
Form Your Circle
Appoint your Care Manager (CM), recruit an authorized Start-Up Broker, and build your Circle.
Design the Budget
Work with your Broker to draft an optimized, individualized budget based on evaluated needs.
Appoint JM Murray
Design JM Murray as your Fiscal Intermediary (FI) to finalize approvals and initiate services.
Managing Your Support
JM Murray’s FI Role
As your Fiscal Intermediary, we handle the heavy-duty administrative workload on your behalf. This includes executing weekly payroll for your support staff, handling direct service billings, maintaining absolute compliance with state and Medicaid rules, and delivering detailed monthly budget utilization updates.
Your Active Leadership Role
As the employer-of-record, you are fully empowered to guide daily activities. Your responsibilities include interviewing and selecting staff, reviewing and approving daily timesheets, keeping your Life Plan updated twice a year with your CM, and managing your allocation resources wisely.
Custom Support Options
Community Habilitation
Gain vital independent living skills like cooking, travel routing, and local engagement.
Family Support Reimbursement
Access targeted funds to help cover respite care and customized equipment needs.
Home & Vehicle Adaptations
Fund technological modifications that make your environment safer and easier to navigate.
Utility & Housing Assistance
Receive specialized stipends to support independent tenancy.
Program Success Metrics
*Participant data underscores that self-direction plans yield significantly higher levels of long-term program stability, social inclusion, and overall daily satisfaction compared to traditional care tracks.
QUestions?
Contact JM Murray Intake
Email: intake@jmmurray.com
Phone: 607-756-4041