Participants retain the choice of staff and scheduling. Celebrate Independence simply helps to facilitate the process and provide options!

Celebrate Independence sends individuals weekly timesheets to approve. Once approved, Celebrate Independence submits timesheets to the chosen FCMS on behalf of the participant. The budget must show funds at the decided upon rate for services allocated in the vendor line item.

We work directly behind the scenes with your chosen Financial Management Services (FMS) provider—formerly referred to as Fiscal Counseling Management Services (FCMS)—to handle the invoicing. All you have to do is review and approve your staff's hours.

Self-direction means you are in the driver’s seat. Instead of an agency dictating your schedule or assigning random staff to your home, you retain employer authority. You have the freedom to interview, select, and manage the staff that fit your life, your goals, and your personality. Celebrate Independence provides the certified framework, infrastructure, and support to make that happen smoothly.

We are proud to serve adults (ages 18 and older) who are enrolled in Maryland DDA Waiver programs and have chosen the Self-Directed Services (SDS) model. We provide services statewide across Maryland.

It’s a partnership! Because we believe in true self-direction, you maintain the ultimate authority to interview and select the specific people who work with you. However, we remove the logistical headaches. We have strategic partnerships with certified community training vendors to ensure the people you choose have immediate, open-enrollment access to all mandatory DDA Core Trainings and The MANDT System (relational safety and de-escalation).

Yes, Celebrate Independence will absolutely onboard and work with your family members to serve as your paid staff.