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Empowered Services

The Empowered Choice Program

Keep care in the family.

Already have someone you trust? The Empowered Choice Program lets eligible Oregonians choose a trusted family member, friend, or longtime supporter to become their paid Direct Support Professional — with training, payroll, compliance, and paperwork handled by us.

No cost to ask · a real person responds within 1–2 business days.

A family member caring for a loved one at home
What it is

The people who know you best can become the ones who support you — paid, trained, and backed by a real agency.

How it works

Four steps. We handle the hard parts.

1
Choose your person

Name the trusted family member or friend you want as your Direct Support Professional.

2
We confirm eligibility

A specialist checks ODDS eligibility and authorization, and answers your questions — usually within 1–2 business days.

3
We credential & train

Your caregiver completes paid onboarding, background check, and training — we handle the paperwork.

4
Support begins

Your caregiver is paid and supported, and a local Care Coordinator stays close.

An affectionate embrace between a caregiver and the young adult they support
Why families choose it

Familiar care, real backing.

Trust from day one — support from someone who already knows routines, communication, and preferences.
Paid & trained — your caregiver becomes an employed DSP with paid training and payroll.
Compliance handled — we manage credentialing, documentation, and ODDS/CDDP requirements.
A local care team — a Care Coordinator stays close to support you and your caregiver.

Even when you bring your own caregiver, we confirm the fit using the Empowered Match Method™ →

★★★★★
“I have experience both as the parent of a young adult with autism receiving services, and as a DSP for my son. They guided me through training, always available for support — I truly feel like part of a wonderful family.”
Londa Corcoran · Parent & DSP · Google review
Founded on relationships

Empowered Services was founded in Oregon in 2018 on a simple belief: people thrive through trusted care relationships — not systems, not paperwork.

That belief still shapes how we match every caregiver, coordinate every county, and support every family who reaches out. The Empowered Choice Program is that belief in action.

Read our story →

Questions, answered.

What families ask us most.

Who can I choose as my caregiver?
Empowered Choice lets the customer or their guardian choose their own caregiver — a trusted family member, friend, or someone from your community or neighborhood who already knows the person and their daily routines. Some relationships may have restrictions under Oregon rules — we'll confirm eligibility with you.
Who is eligible?
Oregonians with intellectual and developmental disabilities who have ODDS-funded services and a chosen caregiver who can meet DSP requirements. We help confirm eligibility and authorization.
Does the caregiver get paid and trained?
Yes. The chosen caregiver becomes a paid, employed Direct Support Professional with paid training, payroll, and full agency backing — we handle credentialing and the required documentation.
How much does it cost?
For eligible individuals, authorized supports are generally funded through Oregon's IDD system — there's no cost to ask or to start the conversation. Eligibility and authorization apply.
How do we get started?
Start with a quick customer intake, or call us at (503) 855-3581. A specialist typically follows up within 1–2 business days to confirm eligibility and walk you through next steps.
Ready when you are

Bring your own trusted caregiver.

Already have someone in mind, or still exploring? A real person on our team will confirm eligibility and walk you through it — no pressure, in English or Spanish.

Mon–Fri, 8:00 am–5:00 pm PT · English & Spanish support