Find independence in directing your own services!
Self-Directed Services (SDS) empowers people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) to design supports around their unique goals, interests, and needs. From choosing staff and shaping daily routines to directing budgets, SDS replaces a one-size-fits-all approach with a personalized path to independence—whether that means hiring a trusted neighbor, taking an art class, or creating a schedule that works best. Not sure where to start? Contact us for more information!
For many people, interacting with a community can bring fulfillment, connection, and enjoyment into their lives. However, it can be hard to know where to start when trying to get involved. When Chris Morgan and his family moved from Jamestown to Apalachin, New York, they faced this very problem – where to find the opportunity to get Chris involved in his community. It was in Apalachin that Chris was connected with Self-Directed Services through Springbrook, and a new life was set in motion.
Chris can tell you firsthand that the opportunity to interact with others in his community has changed his life. With the help of Springbrook’s SDS team, Chris has pursued volunteer opportunities and jobs that align with his interests and connect him with the community. Chris now has a flourishing social life, with several close mentors introduced to him through SDS.
Chris can finally lead a fulfilling life—he has a job where he is appreciated, friends he enjoys, and pastimes that please him in his leisure time.
Interested in directing your own services like Chris?
Brandon Jones’ life changed in an instant at 19 years old after a devastating car accident left him with a traumatic brain injury and just a 1% chance of survival. After weeks in a coma and a long road through short-term rehabilitation programs, Brandon’s care needs quickly outpaced what traditional services could provide. Determined to give her son the best possible quality of life, his mother, Hope, and her husband, Gino, made the difficult decision to bring him home and become his primary caregivers, navigating complex systems and advocating for his future every step of the way.
Although she was already familiar with services through her daughter, it wasn’t until a trusted friend suggested she explore Self-Directed Services (SDS) that Hope realized Brandon could also be eligible. That decision became a turning point. Through SDS, Hope was able to build a personalized support system for Brandon—bringing in staff, therapies, and resources that met his unique needs and allowed him to begin making meaningful progress.
Today, Brandon continues to rebuild his life with the support of his family and SDS team. By reconnecting him with his passion for fitness, Hope helped spark not only physical improvements but also emotional and cognitive growth. His journey is ongoing, but what once felt impossible has become a story of resilience, advocacy, and the life-changing impact of finding the right support.
Interested in managing a family members services?
