Keystone Human Services - Comprehensive community based mental retardation, mental health, autism and early intervention services

Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council Project

Keystone had a contract with the Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council to complete a study related to the "Self Determination Movement". Developmental Disabilities Councils were created by Federal Law in 1970 and established in each State for the purpose of participating in Capacity Building, Systems Change, and Advocacy activities to assist individuals with developmental disabilities to achieve independence, productivity and inclusion. The Council provides funding to organizations to demonstrate new ways of providing services and supports, to break down barriers, to develop new systems and to bring about community change so that people with developmental disabilities have power, choice and control over their own lives.

Keystone's year long project began September 1, 2000 and was a study of consumer- controlled payment systems for services used by people with developmental disabilities and the development of recommendations for future Council initiatives in this area. Extensive research and data collection was completed through a review of current literature, demonstration and pilot projects and existing services. Structure interviews were conducted by telephone with key informants who were involved or had knowledge of consumer controlled payment systems. An Advisory Committee, made up of individuals with disabilities, family members, advocates, providers, funders and other interested community members, was developed and the group met monthly to provide guidance and assistance with the project. The Committee assisted in analyzing the advantages and disadvantages of the various forms of consumer controlled payment systems and the range of applicability of the systems and obstacles and strategies for overcoming obstacles.

Self Determination, a movement where individuals with developmental disabilities are encouraged and supported to make their own decisions and become participating members of their community, is developing across the United States. While there has been progress as a result of the movement, there has been little impact on the methodologies in which payments for services are made. In order to fully move forward with the concepts of Self Determination, we believe there must be a consumer controlled payment system that will enable people with developmental disabilities to have a greater degree of empowerment and control than current funding approaches. We further believe that this project could have a significant impact on the development of consumer controlled payment systems in Pennsylvania.

Contact

Joan Rowlands: 310 N. Second Street, Harrisburg, Pa 17101; Phone: 717-232-7509; Fax: 717-232-4597; E-mail: jrowland @ keystonehumanservices.org