Financial Management Services (FMS)

Department Staff

Kristine Barletta

FMS Team Lead

Self Determination services and supports are designed to assist participants in achieving personally defined outcomes that promote participation in community settings. This empowers participants and families to choose the supports, care providers, and services that best meet their needs. However, those participating in the Self Determination Program must use a Financial Management Service (FMS) provider to perform appropriate financial transactions on their behalf.

Empowering Choice and Flexibility

Although the FMS must be vendored through a regional center, it operates independently from the regional centers. Participants have a person-centered plan and an individual budget to purchase unique services from providers who do not need to be vendored by regional centers. This statewide program allows consumers and their families to have more control and flexibility over the services they need.

FACT Financial Management Services (FMS)

On your behalf, FACT FMS can:

• Conduct required or requested background screenings, verification of licensure, and education of potential workers
• Hire and onboard workers
• Provide state-mandated training for employees
• Collect and process worker(s) timesheets
• Collect and remit federal and state income taxes
• Pay workers hired by participants/families according to state and federal law
• Pay employer-related taxes, ensuring that all employment laws are followed
• Reimburse vendors for goods and services
• Manage the individual budget

FACT FMS will provide you with a monthly accounting statement to show how your individual budget has been spent. Together, we ensure that service schedules are within the budget limits (quarterly, monthly, weekly, and/or daily) as authorized by the Regional Center. The family maintains autonomy for creating a schedule that works best for them and their worker(s). We assist with managing and directing the employee’s responsibilities as indicated by the client’s family, Service Coordinator, and Individual Program Plan (IPP).

Types of Financial Management Services

FACT FMS is vendored for all three types of Financial Management Services and can provide clarification if you have any questions.

FMS as Bill Payer (Fiscal Agent Model): A participant may choose this model of FMS provider when goods or services are purchased from individuals or businesses. The FMS providing services in this capacity generates payments and maintains accounting for goods and services listed in the IPP. No employer/employee relationship exists between the FMS, the service provider, or the participant. The participant maintains the employer/employee relationship with any workers and is responsible for complying with all applicable employment and tax laws and obtaining appropriate insurances (e.g., worker’s compensation).

FMS as Agent of Participant who is Sole Employer (Fiscal/Employer Agent): A participant may choose this model if they want to be the direct employer of those providing services. The FMS providing services in this model assists the participant to abide by all applicable employment laws, verifies provider qualifications, conducts onboarding, provides state-mandated training, and processes payroll. The participant is required to obtain any necessary insurances related to employment (e.g., worker’s compensation).