How does a SDS support broker differ from a case manager?

Study for the Family and Self-Directed Services Support Broker Exam. Use flashcards and multiple choice questions with hints and explanations. Get prepared for success!

In self-directed supports, the key distinction is what each role is responsible for and how funds and services are managed. A SDS support broker helps the participant or family plan, budget, and gain access to services that fit the person’s goals, and then supports using those funds to purchase the chosen supports. Importantly, the broker does not supervise the direct workers who provide day-to-day help. A case manager, by contrast, coordinates formal services from the system—like medical, therapeutic, and other agency-provided supports—and monitors the overall care and the execution of the plan. They focus on ensuring that the mandated services are delivered and that the care needs are being met, rather than assisting with budgeting and arranging direct supports the participant has chosen.

So the best description is that the broker assists with planning, budgeting, and access to services, while the case manager coordinates formal services and monitors overall care, with brokers not supervising direct workers.