Self Directed Supports

As a Lakeland Care member, you can choose to direct your services on your own. This option is known as “Self-Directed Supports” or SDS.

Currently, 23% of Lakeland Care’s members who reside in their own home utilize SDS.

Is SDS Right for Me?

SDS is a way for you to arrange, purchase, and manage most of your long-term services, with greater responsibility and control. With the SDS option, you still have a care manager and nurse from Lakeland Care as resources. For the services in your service plan you choose to self-direct, a budget is established. If this option fits your life, then you can decide:

  • What services you want to self-direct.
  • What assistance and resources you need to participate in SDS the way you would like.
  • Who you want to provide your services and supports. You will hire, train, and supervise your care workers.
  • How much control you want in managing your own budget and working with others to pay your providers.
  • If you want your family, friends, and others to help you with participating in SDS.
  • When you want back-up support from your care team.

If you choose to participate in SDS, you can choose how much you want to self-direct; it is not an “all or none” approach. You can choose to direct one or more of your services.

What services can I self-direct?

Though frequently used for Supportive Home Care services such as bathing, dressing, housekeeping, and meal preparation, SDS can also be used for other services such as transportation, job coaching, and respite care. Your care team can tell you which services can be self-directed in Family Care.

80% of LCI’s members who self-direct receive Supportive Home Care services.

I feel that SDS is right for me. How do I get started?

If you choose to participate in SDS, your care team will meet with you to:

1. Create a Plan Specific to Your Needs

With the help of your care team, you can determine what supports you need and you will develop a Job Description for your SDS employees.

2. Decide How You Want to Participate in SDS

With the help of your care team, you can decide what training or resources you need to carry out your SDS plan.

3. Develop a Budget

With the help of your care team, you can create your budget based on the level of care needed to support your long-term care outcomes.

4. Select and Hire Supports

You decide how, when, and who provides support to you, while receiving assistance from a Financial Management Services agency in hiring and paying your SDS employees.

Lakeland Care works with Fiscal/Employer Agent options to help you manage your budget and supports.

Under the Fiscal/Employer Agent option, you are considered the legal employer of your SDS employee. You would be responsible for finding, hiring, training, supervising, and terminating your SDS employees.

Lakeland Care currently uses the following Financial Management Service agencies:

GT Independence

215 Broadus St,

Sturgis, MI 49091

Toll Free: 1-877-659-4500

Website: https://www.gtindependence.com/

Consumer Direct

744 Ryan Drive, Suite 201
Hudson, WI 54016-7984

Toll Free: 1-877-785-9991

Website: http://consumerdirectwi.com/

Lori Knapp Companies

106 South Beaumont Road
Prairie du Chien, WI 53821
Toll Free: 1-844-534-7225

Website: https://www.lkichoice.com/

Jean Gottwald (*limited service area)

673 4th Ave N, Park Falls, WI  54552

Toll Free: 1-888-689-7798

Website: http://jgfiscal.com/

If you decide that SDS is not for you, you can stop participating at any time. Your care team will then assist you by identifying Lakeland Care contracted providers that are available to support your long-term care outcomes.

Read about how SDS works for Kayla: https://www.lakelandcareinc.com/member/kayla/