Introducing: The Huddle

A New Monthly Discussion Series from The Self-Direction Center

What's a huddle? It's when a team comes together to strategize, solve problems, and figure out the next play. That's exactly what we're creating: a space where the self-direction community gathers to learn together, share real experiences, and tackle the questions that matter most.

Each month, we'll huddle up around a different topic. We'll provide context and foundational information, then open the floor to dynamic discussion with panelists and attendees. Your questions and experiences are just as important as our guests' - this is about learning from each other, not just listening to experts.

Announcing our first two Huddles - both focused on the fundamental building blocks of self-direction.

The Building Blocks of Self-Direction

Self-direction is built on two fundamental authorities: employer authority and budget authority.

Employer authority means you choose, hire, train, and manage the workers who support you. Budget authority means you control how your allocated resources are spent - from wages to goods and services.

Programs vary in what they offer: most provide employer authority, some offer only budget authority, and others offer both. Our first two Huddles explore each authority in depth - what they are, how they work in practice, and how to make them work better.

The Building Blocks of Self-Direction

Self-direction is built on two fundamental authorities: employer authority and budget authority.

Employer authority means you choose, hire, train, and manage the workers who support you. Budget authority means you control how your allocated resources are spent - from wages to goods and services.

Programs vary in what they offer: most provide employer authority, some offer only budget authority, and others offer both. Our first two Huddles explore each authority in depth - what they are, how they work in practice, and how to make them work better.

What Does It Really Mean to Be an Employer?

If you hire and manage your own support workers, you have employer authority. But what does that really mean day-to-day? And how do we make it work well?

We'll ground everyone in the basics: What is employer authority? How does CMS define it? What's the difference between being an "employer of record" and a "co-employer"?

Then we'll dive into a discussion: Panelists from multiple states will share what employer authority actually looks like in their lives - the good, the challenging, and everything in between. How do you find and hire workers? What works when managing your team? What are the creative solutions people have found?

We'll tackle the tough questions together: When people worry about fraud in employer authority, how do we respond with the facts? How has EVV changed the experience of being an employer? What about worker registries and training mandates - what helps and what just gets in the way? How do different state approaches create opportunities or barriers?

Come ready to engage. Ask questions, share your experiences, and learn from others navigating the same challenges.

Who Controls Your Budget - And How?

What happens when you don't just direct your services - you direct your budget? Whether your state offers budget authority, you're working to get it, or you're trying to understand what it could mean, this Huddle explores what's possible.

We'll establish common ground: What is budget authority, and how does it differ from employer authority? How do states calculate individual budgets - and what control do participants actually have?

Then we'll hear from panelists living it: What's it like to set your own wages and manage your spending plan? How do people use goods and services creatively? What's the difference between "budget authority on paper" and real flexibility?

We'll compare approaches across states: From full-fledged budget authority to more limited versions to states where it doesn't exist at all - what does the spectrum look like? What can we learn from states building this out?

We'll address the concerns and get strategic: Does budget authority mean people will misuse funds? What safeguards make sense? How do you advocate for it when decision-makers are worried about risk?

About The Huddle