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Abstract
Background This paper reports the findings of a study of individual budgeting practices in state‐financed developmental disabilities services in the United States. The study's purpose was to describe key process components and methodological variables integral to consumer‐controlled, individual budgeting formats employed in state‐funded services.
Method The study was conducted in two phases: a national survey sent to state agency directors in all 50 states plus Washington DC, and an in‐depth assessment of individual budgeting practices in 9 selected states.
Results Data received from 84% of state developmental disabilities agencies contacted indicated considerable variability in the formats employed by states to: determine support needs of eligible individuals; equate needs to specific services; and set an amount of funding sufficient to pay for identified supports.
Conclusions No single individual budgeting method is universally accepted by all state agencies. State practices differ significantly from one jurisdiction to another, although most follow a developmental, statistical or mixed methodology.
Notes
1. Also referred to as: individualised funding, individual or consumer‐directed funding, direct payments, or personal budgeting.
2. In the US, state governments have authority for setting state policy and practice standards for services to individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. State developmental disabilities agencies provide funding and have responsibility for providing or assuring the provision of services to eligible individuals. The federal government participates in the funding of services provided under the Medicaid program and sets related national policy regarding developmental disabilities services.
