SELF-DIRECTION TOOLKIT
A Comprehensive Guide to Assist Individuals in Self-Direction
The Kansas University Center on Developmental Disabilities
UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS
April 2006

THE KANSAS SELF-DIRECTION TOOLKIT provides individuals with disabilities the information and tools needed to self-direct any component of their personal assistance services.

Consumers, case managers, service coordinators, family members and others will like the Toolkit’s step-by-step format with a mix and match option that puts you in control of the information you want and need to self-direct your personal assistant (PA) supports and services.

Whether you are a first-time employer or you’ve been hiring PAs for years and are just looking for some ideas to make the whole process easier, you’ll like the user-friendly format.

It is an ambitious goal to develop information, all in one “toolkit”, that enables self-directed employers to recruit, hire, train, and manage personal assistants (PA). The extent to which this goal has been accomplished is due to the diligence of the K-PASS Stakeholder Group and others who reviewed the Toolkit draft and offered their advice and expertise.

The Kansas Self-Direction Toolkit was modeled on the Tennessee Personal Assistance Supports and Services (PASS) User’s Guide, developed under a Department of Health and Human Services grant by The Arc of Tennessee. Other resources are listed in the References and Resources section.

DOWNLOADS

Entire Document
Self Direction Tool Kit (pdf)
Self Direction Tool Kit (doc)

Individual Chapters (pdf)
Title Page and Table of Contents
Section 1: Introduction to Self-Direction
Section 2: Developing Your Job Description
Section 3: Selecting a Payroll Agent
Section 4: Recruiting Your PA
Section 5: Screening the Applicants
Section 6: Interviewing and Selecting Your PA
Section 7: Training Your PA
Section 8: Managing Your PA
Section 9: Planning for PA Back-Up and Other Emergencies
Section 10: Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation
References and Resources
Appendix A: Laws & Statutory Regulations
Appendix B: Kansas Resources Directory
Appendix C: Job Description Development Tool
Appendix D: Sample Job Competencies
Appendix E: Kansas Colleges & Universities
Appendix F: Sample Policies