SCAS Self-Directed Support Corporations

A self-directed support corporation (sometimes referred to as a microboard) is a legally established, state-recognized, nonprofit organization. It is composed of small group (micro) of committed family and friends who know and care about a person with a disability to create a non-profit organization (board) to support one person with a disability. A SDSC can be established to assist up to four people with planning and obtaining needed supports.

The South Carolina Autism Society received a grant from the Developmental Disabilities Council to study creating the pathway for the use of microboards and SDSCs in South Carolina. During the first year under this grant, the SCAS researched other states' methods for developing and maintaining microbards and began laying the foundation that will allow South Carolinians the opportunity to develop SDSCs. During the second year's funding, we intend to work with pilot SDSCs to learn where we can focus attention for the success in the development of future SDSCs. The pilots will be chosen in order to study a variety of needs for SDSCs, not just individuals with autism. Children, adults, or those transitioning will be considered, as well as individuals with mental, physical, and/or developmental needs.

Phase I of this grant was:

1. to understand the concept of SDSCs,
2. to initiate discussion and ideas on how South Carolina might proceed in the development of these boards,
3. to understand how these changes can effectively assist in the quality of life for those individuals it is meant to affect, and
4. to generate the first draft of the "how to create a SDSC" manual.

Phase II of this grant will involve:

1. working with pilot SDSCs,
2. further developing the "how-to" manual, and
3. resolving as many issues as possible before we make this information available to the general population.

During the first two years, we initiated changes with SCDDSN that will create an avenue for the SDSCs to function; however, we still have more work to do. Because we want to build our foundation in a reasonable manner, our pilot selections will be strategic and purposeful to cover a wide scope of services and needs. If you believe ethat a SDSC will serve your purpose, please know that our intention is to make this an option for everyone in the future. While not everyone can be selected as a pilot, it is our intention that anyone can choose to develop a SDSC in the future to manage the supports of someone who needs and wants a new method by which their needs are managed or attained.