Consumer directed services has given our family more freedom of choice and alleviated some of the strain of caring for a child with disabilities.   We have tried to find caregivers outside of the home with little success.  The pay rate is too low to entice qualified caregivers.  Our child is nonverbal and has severe behavioral issues.  It is difficult to find people able to provide for his needs.  Asking parents or spouses to register through an agency to provide care to their loved one adds another hurdle to our already unmanageable lives.  The only people who will benefit from this change would be the agencies that will financially profit.  This will hurt individuals with disabilities,  decrease their freedom of choice, and further burden their true caregivers.  While we may be approved for 20 or 30 or 50 hours a week we provide 24-7 care and advocacy while navigating a sea of red tape.  Please do the right thing and keep consumer directed services out of the hands of agencies.