About Self-Directed Support

Wisconsin’s long-term care system has changed.  Self-directed support is part of that change.  Frail elders, people with developmental disabilities and people with physical disabilities now have the opportunity to decide what long-term care program is the right fit for their lives and what level of self-direction they want. No one is “too disabled” to self-direct their supports.

Self-directed support is part of our state law within Family Care.  It states that “Each person may arrange for, manage and monitor his or her family care benefit directly, or with the assistance of another person.”  Each Family Care organization in Wisconsin offers opportunities for a person to direct one, some, or all of the services available to them in the Family Care benefit package.

As Wisconsin made plans to expand Family Care throughout the state, the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services insisted that people who are eligible for long-term care be offered an alternative to Family Care.  The IRIS program was designed as that alternative.  IRIS is available everywhere Family Care is available.  The IRIS program is sometimes referred to as the “total” self-directed support option.

Learn More about Self-Directed Supports

  • What is Self-Directed Support?

    Self-Directed Support refers to the ways in which people who receive public long-term care funding in Wisconsin… More about SDS

  • Principles of Self-Directed Supports

    We believe there are seven guiding principles to self-directed support. Seven Principles to Self-Directed Support

  • SDS Options in Wisconsin

    People can self-direct their supports in Family Care and IRIS. Learning about the similarities and differences between these two options will help you decide which is right fit for you or your family member. Show me the options...

  • SDS Stories

    Find out about self-directed supports and self determination from the stories of people who are living a self-directed life. Self-Directed Stories

  • Self-Directed Employment

    This free, online training series was designed to help people with disabilities think about their integrated employment options, understand employment supports, and create a plan to achieve their integrated employment goals. More about Self-Directed Employment Planning