The Fogarty Center (FC) has created the OPTIONS program in a direct response to the self-direction movement within the national developmental disability community. People with developmental and other disabilities as well as the aging community want greater independence. Access to the “traditional” service delivery system is often the “first stop”. As more services are acquired to aid in their quest for true independence, day-to-day decisions are often taken out of their hands and placed under the control of programs, administrators, and the bureaucratic process.
The OPTIONS payroll agent model allows people to take control of all support resources already at their disposal. Functions such as plan development, funds allocation, hiring people of choice, contracting, scheduling and supervision are all at the participant’s command.
The mission of OPTIONS is to give people the power to make those personal and important decisions that affect their ability to live truly independently and improve the quality of their lives.
