Our Services

Eligibility requirements for CDS are:

• Missouri Medicaid eligible
• Physically disabled
• Mentally capable of making decisions regarding both your health care and your employer responsibilities
• Over 18 years of age
• Score at least 21 points on a needs assessment performed by DHSS

Through Missouri Medicaid Consumer Directed Services, you can:

• Direct your own care
• Hire and train your own attendant
• Receive support and training from White & Associates
• Receive a comprehensive evaluation and assessment of your care needs through DHSS

The Missouri Centers for Independent Living, in conjunction with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, administer the program. The philosophy of the Center for Independent Living is consumer controlled, community based options that promote independence for persons with physical disabilities. Some persons with disabilities require assistance with the activities of daily living to live independently within their communities. Until 1999, these people had limited options, such as dependency upon family members, placement in institutional settings, or paying for these types of services out-of-pocket. Missouri Medicaid CDS services are funded with federal and state monies. This allows the redirection of Medicaid dollars for in-home, consumer directed services, eliminating the necessity of placement in residential facilities due to lack of options.

The Consumer Directed Services Program is a program that allows an individual to direct his or her own personal assistance services at NO cost to the consumer. Being on a consumer controlled personal attendance services program gives the person with a disability control over their own life. To do this, the person with a disability actually becomes the employer and hires their personal attendant. The attendant’s job description can include housekeeping, laundry, cooking, personal care, and transportation. Our team will be happy to help you set up your own CDS plan.