Consumer directed services are probably the most misused, least monitored, and most misunderstood service (s) available.  As a provider of agency directed services, I can tell you there is absolutely no comparison.  I receive comments constantly from families who are assigned a service facilitator to obtain CD services and are left to navigate a system that is impossible at best to navigate, on their own.  There is no follow up, no monitoring, and most of the time there is no contact to be made.  Educational requirements add legitimacy to a service.  If you desire to do away with the requirements, why not just allocate a dollar amount to those who are eligible and desire CD services and not make them jump thru every hoop possible to get authorized and set up with CD services.    I can't speak for all of the state but I can tell you the individuals/families I know who get CD services are very disappointed.  Nobody is held accountable and individuals/families are left out in limbo.  If you truly want to improve the service, hold providers accountable by expecting more, and paying more.    If you want to throw money at a problem, drop the requirements.  If you really want to do some thing to help people, give them a person who can help navigate the system with them, provide oversight, but more importantly, hold them accountable.