There are five principlesof self-determination: Freedom, authority, Support, Responsibility and Confirmation.

This is control over one's life ... especially one's finances. An individualized budget is created to guide one in using the public funding allotted them in a way that is life enhancing. Again, there are no restrictions. You simply spend the money responsibly in the way that best suits your life.

The money "follows the person" from the nursing home or the group home or the institution into the community. Authority works best within Medicaid waivers. If you receive HCS (Home and Community Based Services) or CLASS (Community Living and Support Services) or THL (Texas Home Living) or ICF-MR (Intermediate Care for the Mentally Retarded) funding, you are a good candidate for self-determination.

Other examples of authority include the opportunity to run your own meetings or hire and fire your own staff.

My Life Plan details aspects of your life and builds a plan for individual confidence in a competitive world.

The Participant Information Sheet helps you to organize your personal information. Of particular importance is funding, as this will show you and your support team how to plan for your self-determination.