"OUR AGENCY OFFERS CDS/FMSA SERVICES THROUGHOUT ALL OF TEXAS"
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No Matter your location in Texas we come to you !


Please Call our office to obtain additional INFORMATION regarding CDS/FMSA services: 817-339-6733

What is CDS?

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Consumer Directed Services allows people who received services from the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) to hire and manage the people who provide their services.
The program is the result of Senate Bill 1586(link is external), 76th Texas Legislature, which allows a voucher payment option that empowers people to make personal decisions related to the delivery of personal assistance and respite services within their current home and community-based program. Click here to learn more.


Services That Can Be Self-directed:

Community Living Assistance and Support Services (CLASS) Habilitation services, respite services, nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech, hearing and language services, cognitive rehabilitation therapy, employment assistance, supported employment and support consultation

​Consumer Managed Personal Attendant Services (CMPAS) Personal assistance services

Deaf-Blind with Multiple Disabilities (DBMD) Residential habilitation (less than 24 hours), intervener, respite services, supported employment, employment assistance and support consultation

Home and Community-based Services (HCS) Supported home living, respite services, nursing, cognitive rehabilitation therapy, supported employment, employment assistance and support consultation

Medically Dependent Children Program (MDCP) Respite services and flexible family support services delivered by an attendant or a nurse, employment assistance and supported employment

Primary Home Care (PHC), Family Care (FC), Community Attendant Services (CAS) Personal assistance services
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Texas Home Living (TxHmL) All services and support consultation

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​Be informed about the requirements of Consumer Directed Services (CDS):

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Notify Your Case Manager

After you receive an overview of CDS from your case manager, your case manager will document your decision. If you chose to enroll in CDS, you will receive a list of agencies that are contracted with DADS to provide CDS services. From the list, you will chose a financial management services agency (FMSA) to administer payroll for your employees and vendors.

Seek Assistance if Needed

• If you are under the age of 18, your parent will be the "employer of record" for you in CDS.
• If you are 18 years of age or older and have a legal guardian, your guardian will be the "employer of record" for you.
• If you are 18 or older and you need help to participate, you may designate a willing person to serve as your designated responsible party to perform any of the employer functions on your behalf

Receive Training about CDS

The FMSA that you chose will provide you with training about CDS and how to fulfill the role of employer. The FMSA will provide information to assist you in making informed decisions when setting wages and benefits for your employees. You, or your guardian, will be the "employer of record;" the FMSA is your "designated agent" for the purpose of processing withholding payments, paying invoices, printing checks, filing employee-related reports and other related tasks.

Budget Your Services

​Decide what benefits you want to provide for your employee(s), and consider other expenses to determine the hourly rate of pay for your employees(s).

Be the Employer

After you are enrolled in CDS, you can begin advertising, interviewing, hiring and managing your employees. Your employees will have to meet the same requirements as the employees and respite providers that you had with the direct services agency. Your employees will be required to meet the criminal conviction history requirements prior to being hired to work for you in CDS.

Is CDS for You?

Listed below are seven points that should spell out the benefits of CDS:

1. Do you want to learn how to be the employer of your personal assistants?
2. Do you want to be responsible for hiring and firing your personal assistants and respite providers?
3. Do you want to be responsible for training and supervising your personal assistants and respite providers?
4. Do you want to be the employer of your in-home respite providers?
5. Do you want to locate and contract with your own out-of-home respite providers?
6. Do you want to have the ability to set the wages and benefits for your employees within your allocated funds?
7. Do you have a guardian or someone who is willing to be designated as your responsible person if you require help to participate in CDS?