Self-Determination Program
What is Self-Determination?
Self-Determination and Person Centered Planning
Self-Determination strives to give people with disabilities what they need to have the life they choose within the framework of available resources and any issues of health or safety. The individual participates in and takes control over decisions which affect their life.
Self-Determination is based on the following four principles:
Freedom: The ability for individuals, with chosen family and/or friends, to plan a life with necessary supports.
Authority: The ability for a person with a disability to control a certain sum of dollars in order to purchase these supports, with the support of their circle, if needed.
Support: The coordination of resources and personnel, both formal and informal, to assist the individual to live a life in their community through associations and by contributions.
Responsibility: The individual assumes the responsibility for their actions and accountability for spending public dollars designated for their services in ways that enhance their life and are based on need.
Self-Determination and Person Centered Planning
Self-Determination means the individual takes control over their life. They do this by participating to the extent of their ability in expressing their desires, making choices and being a part of their community. This means they advocate for themselves, and take responsibility for their choices, with the support of family, friends and professionals whom the individual identifies as being a significant part of their life.
Person Centered Planning is an important part of Self-Determination. Through Person Centered Planning, the individual is encouraged to dream, express their desires and determine their needs. A plan is developed to meet the individual's needs through this planning process. The plan addresses supports and resources to help the individual pursue his/her desires for the future. Throughout the planning process, the individual is in control and is the decision-maker.
The Self-Determination process began in New Hampshire through a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The foundation was so impressed that it expanded funding to 19 other states, including Michigan. Michigan made the commitment in February of 1997 to make Self-Determination a new way of providing services for people with developmental disabilities, through major policy changes. Michigan expects this to result in services begin more consumer based, which is reflected in the Mental Health Code. Michigan has four project sites and five affiliate sites. Oakland County has joined the initiative as an affiliate site.
Self-Determination is just the beginning as the model for service delivery in Oakland County by addressing the needs of persons with developmental disabilities who are currently waiting for day programming and/or residential services. As training and capacity are expanded in the coming years, Oakland County Community Mental Health Authority is committed to working with other persons to incorporate self-determination into their service planning.
For updates regarding Self-Determination developments, watch the OCCMHA newsletter, Communicator. (Contact OCCMHA or your Supports Coordinator for the current edition.) Informational sessions and meetings will be scheduled to inform more people about Self-Determination and what "participation" means to the individual.
A national web-site is also available at http://www.self-determination.com/ for further information.
For additional information regarding educational opportunities at OCCMHA, please contact the Oakland County Community Mental Health Authority Community Education Specialist at (248) 858-1206.
For persons inquiring about services from Oakland County Community Mental Health Authority, including participation in Self-Determination, please contact ACCESS at (248) 858-1510 or 1-800-810-3772.