Self-Determination Resources, Inc. is a "full service" brokerage. This means that SDRI can provide many different kinds of support to people with developmental disabilities. SDRI has been providing self-directed supports since 1997.

You can choose what you want and how you want to do it. This is what self-determination means. A Personal Agent from SDRI works for you and acts as a facilitator for your supports. SDRI is in contact with many different kinds of service providers and will help you find the right person or agency.

If you live in Oregon, are over 18 years of age, meet the definition of developmental disability under Oregon law, and are not already receiving comprehensive services from the state, you can qualify for these services. You have to be referred to the program by the county.

Self-Determination Resources, Inc. (SDRI) is a unique organization. The overarching goal of SDRI is to assist people with developmental disabilities and the families to achieve true choice and control of the supports and resources available to them. This goal is grounded in the concept of self-determination; a concept built on the fundametnal belief that if people gain control of their supports and resources, their lives will improve and costs will decrease. Self-determination is based on the following principles:

FREEDOM. The ability of individuals with freely chosen family and/or friends to plan a life with necessary support rather than purchase a program.

AUTHORITY. The ability of a person with a disability (with a social netowrk, if needed) to control a certain sum of dollars in order to purchase their own supports.

SUPPORT. The arranging of resources and personnel - both formal and informal - that will assist an individual with a disability to live a life rich in community association and contribution.

RESPONSIBILITY. The acceptance of a valued role in a person's community through employment, organizational affiliations, spiritual development, and general caring for others in the community, as well as accountability for spending public dollars in ways that are life enhancing for persons with disabilities.

SDRI is not designed to be a direct service provider in the traditional sense. Instead, SDRI is a "full service brokerage" organization designed to assist individuals with developmental disabilities achieve the supports they need by providing an array of supports. These supports include:

BROKERING SERVICES. The linking of people with disabilities or their families with community-based supports they need or desire. These supports may be supplied by existing organizations or professionals capable of providing the needed supports or by SDRI, if appropriate. This function may also include assistance in researching and securing the resources they need to acquire supports. This function will also include assisting people with disabilities to identify and establish a support network of individuals who are willing and able to support that person on an ongoing basis or otherwise serve in a supportive role.

INDIVIDUAL PLANNING AND BUDGETING. All individual planning activities will be based on person centered planning techniques. In addition, SDRI staff will assist people in developing a specific individualized support budget from the resources availableto them for the purchase of supports. This individual budget will be used in securing the supports they need or lifestyle they desire.

FISCAL INTERMEDIARY SERVICES. Administrative support services are available to persons with disabilities and their families to help manage the support funds made available to them.

TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE. Persons with disabilities or their families may need an array of skills to fully assume control of their supports and achieve their desired lifestyles. Skills such as managing and supervising paid employees, resource management, negotiating skills, assertiveness and decision making are examples. SDRI staff will provide this training on an as-needed basis.

COMMUNITY EDUCATION AND DEVELOPMENT. It is recognized that the ongoing education of the general community about persons with disabilities and their families is still needed. Additionally, the natural supports and opportunities that the general community has to offer must be further developed to add traditional resources used by people with disabilities and their families to achieve their support needs. SDRI staff will engage in both of these activities since both of these activities are critical if the concept of self-determination is to be achieved.

To get a better idea of what support services and brokerages are all about, please refer to the Roadmap to Support Services.

The roadmap discusses the philosophy of self-determination and of support services, the role of brokerages, the roles of the county and the state, the basics of eligibility, how to enroll in services, what services might be provided to customers enrolling in support services, the basics of support plans, funding, what to expect from providers, how provider rates are set, high school transition services, vocational rehabilitation / employment planning, protective services, grievance policy, and a number of other useful issues.

"To support people with disabilities to determine and direct their lives

Since 1997"

Working towards that aim, SDRI values:

Freedom: The freedom to plan and live the life you choose.
Personal Authority: The authority to decide what is right for you.
Support: Support in your decision to build the life you want.
Responsibility: Responsibility for the decisions you make about your life.