1. Parent Hire Under Self-Directed Services (SDS)

✅ How It Works:

• The parent is hired as a Self-Directed Employee (SDE) and paid through a Fiscal Intermediary (FI) 

• The family manages the hiring, scheduling, and responsibilities.

• The parent is considered the employee, and the individual (or their guardian) is the employer of record.

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✅ Pros:

• More control over scheduling, duties, and caregiving approach (although Hearten allows similar flexibility). 

• Ability to hire other caregivers in addition to the parent.

• Since agency fees are not deducted, the budget is stretched over more time (allowing for more work hours a week).

❌Cons:

• Limited hours (usually 40 hours/week max for a parent).

• Salary cap limits hiring qualified SDE employees with CMA, CNA, & LPN certifications. 

• The family manages payroll, timesheets, and compliance with Medicaid and DDD rules (time-consuming).

• No agency support for backup caregivers or emergencies. 

2. Parent Hire Through a DDD-Approved Agency

✅ How It Works:

• The parent is hired as a direct employee of an approved DDD provider agency, such as Hearten.​

• The agency handles payroll, compliance, and scheduling while the parents work as caregivers for their children.

• The agency can hire additional (parent-approved) staff to support at requested times. 

✅ Pros:

• No administrative burden—the agency handles paperwork, taxes, and compliance.

• More flexibility in hours—agencies, like Hearten, allow overtime (over 40 hours per week).

• Receive benefits such as paid training, PTO, and health benefits.

• Parent-approved emergency staff to support at requested times. 

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❌ Cons:

• Less available hours due to agency overhead and administrative costs.

• Agency guidelines may limit parent controls (Hearten offers greater flexibility). 

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For questions or service contact us today.

Call us at 609-666-0441 or email us at: info@hearten.me