Overview
Our Resource Consultants work alongside participants to develop a recovery action plan and a budget, and to gain access to the funds to purchase the services or goods needed to achieve success.
Services include, but are not limited to:
- Helping you reach physical health goals by paying for a gym membership, exercise clothes, or nutritional counseling
- Providing you with the funds to obtain alternative or complementary treatment for pain management, such as acupuncture
- Assisting you in hiring a personal on-call peer counselor for when you are in emotional distress
- Paying for clothing needed for employment and job interviews
- Paying for a specialized therapist or treatment provider not currently covered under your insurance, such as someone who specializes in Trauma or PTSD, or an out-of-network psychiatrist.
Eligibility
Self Direction is a pilot program designed for New York City residents who are insured in a Medicaid Health and Recovery (HARP) managed care plan. If you do not know if you are eligible, please contact us for assistance.
- 4/10/19 Update:
- At this time we are not able to accept any new participants.
We hope to expand our capacity later in 2019 — and will provide updates (including here on this website) when we are able to do so.
Outcomes
As of April 2019, we have invested more than $100,000 on goods and services that have helped participants to reach their wellness goals — with an average investment of more than $1,000 per participant. Outcome highlights so far include:
- Reconnection with a child in another state, after three years apart
- Achieved peer employment
- Coped with stress and PTSD symptoms through pet adoption
- Passed the GED, after years of trying
- Passed a driving test
Testimonial
"After so many years of being misunderstood, mis-prescribed, and mentally and physically traumatized, I had started to believe that I was just taking up space...
Thing is though... Before Self-Direction, no one listened to what *I* thought I needed to feel better, and being voiceless in my own care only perpetuated the idea that I was somehow broken, unlovable and even untrustworthy with my own life.
New York City is changing that. Self Direction is changing that. Community Access is changing that."
– Jody Gnant, Activist & Artist
More Info
If you have additional questions about Self Direction please contact us via email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .