Consumer and surrogate preferences for a cash option versus traditional services: Florida adults with developmental disabilities

As long-term service expenditures have risen, policymakers have sought ways to control costs while maintaining consumer satisfaction. Concurrently, th ere is increasing interest in the disability community in consumer directio n. The Cash and Counseling Demonstration and Evaluation (CCDE) seeks to inc rease consumer direction and control costs by offering a cash allowance and information services to persons with disabilities, enabling them to purcha se needed assistance. Because the disability community is composed of diver se subgroups, needs of these consumer communities must be assessed individu ally. Results from a telephone survey conducted to assess the interest in a cash option for Florida adults with developmental disabilities is presente d, the three-state CCDE described, how survey findings can inform consumer information efforts discussed, and policy issues highlighted.