The Consumer Directed Services (CDS) Program
Consumer Directed Services (CDS) History
Many people with severe-disabilities require assistance to perform everyday activities such as personal hygiene, bathing, dressing, shopping, housekeeping, and assistance at work or school. This assistance is typically provided by a hired worker, who is commonly called an attendant. Traditionally, attendants were hired by an outside agency, which required that they be trained and supervised by a nurse or doctor.
In the 1970's a group of students with disabilities in Berkeley, California, realized that they knew as much, or more, about their attendant needs than the medical personnel. The students felt that if they were to live as independently as possible, they should be responsible for hiring, training, and supervising their attendants. In response to the lack of existing programs, they created their own. From their work, the independent living (IL) movement was born.
The IL movement is based on the idea that people with disabilities (consumers) should be in control of support services that permit them to live independently. In the past when provider services have been exhausted, the task has fallen to friends and/or family. If natural supports were not available, the individual did without the much-needed service, sometimes with horrible consequences.
Consumer Directed Services (CDS) Program
Access II began the State funded Consumer Directed Services program on January 1, 1998. The program allows individuals with disabilities to receive up to 42 hours of personal assistance each week. Access II staff will evaluate applications to the program along with a registered nurse, occupational therapist, Vocational Rehabilitation personnel and others. Trained staff will also help train the attendants, as well as, assisting the consumers. A manual is also provided to each consumer. The manual is designed to help them train and manage the attendant. These training techniques were adapted after years of research, coupled with experience and reviewed by people who use attendants themselves.
The person with the disability actually interviews, hires, and manages the personal attendant. A small amount of paperwork is all that is necessary. The consumer has complete control and the choice over what attendant services they want. A basic tenant of the Independent Living Philosophy is that the consumer knows best what they need. Access II staff will check and compute the time sheets and Electronic Data Processing (EDP) of Columbia, MO handles all of the payroll functions.
For information on attendant services, click on the following link Attendant Information
For information on our consumer controlled PAS Program, click on the following link Consumer Information
Link to CDS Resources for more information
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